2003 Giuseppe Rinaldi "Cannubi S. Lorenzo-Ravera" Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

This is 100% Nebbiolo, but despite the vineyard names on the label, it is not a single-vineyard Barolo. Beppe Rinaldi believed that blending complementary sites could produce a more complete expression of Barolo. “Cannubi S. Lorenzo-Ravera” brought together fruit from Cannubi San Lorenzo and Ravera, while his other historic bottling was Brunate–Le Coste. These blended-cru wines were hallmarks of the estate until labeling regulations forced Rinaldi to change the wines beginning with the 2010 vintage; the successor to Cannubi S. Lorenzo–Ravera became Tre Tine.

2003 was an extremely hot vintage. Compared with a classic, cooler-vintage Rinaldi, the Cannubi S. Lorenzo-Ravera is noticeably riper, softer and more immediately generous.

Rinaldi was one of the great defenders of traditional Barolo. The estate favors spontaneous fermentation and aging in large, old Slavonian oak casks, rather than the small new French-oak barrels associated with the modernist movement in Barolo. In the vineyards, Rinaldi avoided synthetic chemicals, relying primarily on limited copper and sulfur treatments.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Giuseppe Rinaldi is one of the most revered names in traditional Barolo, with deep family roots in the village of Barolo. Giuseppe “Beppe” Rinaldi took over the estate from his father, Battista, in 1992 and became a passionate defender of classic Barolo during a period of rapid modernization in the region. He believed great Barolo should develop slowly, retain its natural structure and character, and have the ability to evolve beautifully over decades.

Rinaldi’s winemaking remained resolutely traditional, favoring indigenous-yeast fermentations, long macerations, and aging in large Slavonian oak botti rather than small new-oak barrels. Beppe was also a strong believer in the historic practice of blending vineyards to create more complete and balanced wines. This philosophy produced the estate’s celebrated Brunate-Le Coste and Cannubi San Lorenzo-Ravera Barolos. Changes to labeling regulations beginning with the 2010 vintage eventually led to these wines being reorganized and renamed.

Following Beppe Rinaldi’s death in 2018, his daughters Marta and Carlotta continued the family legacy, preserving the estate’s traditional approach. Today, Giuseppe Rinaldi remains synonymous with beautifully perfumed, structured, age-worthy Barolo. These wines are prized for their authenticity, complexity, and unmistakable expression of Nebbiolo and the hills of Barolo.