Vintage Character Francesco Rinaldi Barolo DOCG 2019 is a classic Barolo from the commune of Barolo, made from Nebbiolo and shaped by one of Piedmont’s most traditional houses. The 2019 vintage is widely regarded as strong in Barolo: a long, balanced growing season preserved acidity while allowing Nebbiolo to ripen steadily, giving wines both structure and aromatic precision. Drawn from the estate’s classico blend, including fruit associated with renowned sites such as Cannubi, Brunate and Sarmassa, this wine reflects the area’s famed mix of calcareous marl and hillside exposures that lend perfume, tension and age-worthy tannic grip.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing The Wine Advocate awarded this wine 94 points, underscoring its standing as a benchmark traditional Barolo. Expect lifted aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry, rose petal and violet, layered with orange peel, licorice, dried herbs and a subtle tarry, earthy depth. On the palate it is full-bodied yet poised, with high acidity, firm fine-grained tannins and a savory mineral thread that carries through a long, classically austere finish. It pairs beautifully with braised veal shank, porcini risotto, or Peking duck.
Winery Background Founded in 1870, Francesco Rinaldi & Figli remains one of Barolo’s historic reference-point estates, still family-run and today guided by sisters Paola and Piera Rinaldi. The house is admired for its steadfastly traditional philosophy: meticulous vineyard work, hand-harvesting, long macerations and patient élevage in large Slavonian oak botti rather than new barriques. That approach favors transparency over polish, allowing Nebbiolo and site to speak clearly, and it is precisely this fidelity to classic Barolo character that makes the estate so compelling to collectors and traditionalists alike.