TN: 2013 Francesco Rinaldi e Figli Barolo Le Brunate (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo)

WINE TALK
#1
  • 2013 Francesco Rinaldi e Figli Barolo Le Brunate - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (3/17/2023)
    Decanted 3hrs. While some very pretty aromatics gave an early impression of promising things to come, I found the first half glass a tad on the thin side / nice, but unremarkable. Thankfully, I had this on a cold Sunday night, with an episode of the Last of Us and David Leans Oliver Twist, so I had a good solo 3 hrs to play around with it. And it grew on me. Slowly, but with steady traction. Very pretty damson / dark plums core, easy and gentle tannins and acidity on the palate, a very comforting young Barolo (but no lack of structure either). I don’t think this will ever will win the Blue Ribbon, but it will win a perfect place at my table any day. ‘Please Sir, may I have some more
” (93 points)

Posted from CellarTracker

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#2

I think the '13 Brunate is the best wine I’ve had from Francesco Rinaldi (the new Rocche dell’Annunziata in 2018 coming close, I think, and adjusted for vintage quality it was especially good). Personally I’d rate it a bit higher than you, but I think it a very classic wine that should benefit from cellaring, so we’ll see how high it goes with time.

Interestingly, I didn’t really like the '16 Brunate from Francesco Rinaldi, but I’ve only tasted it once so perhaps it will show better next time.

#3

Remember when these were $45


#4

Yikes. You’re braver than me. I have some of these cellared and tiptoe past them like they’re sleeping babies.

#5

I think Francesco vs underrated vs Guissepow when I tasted there about 10 years sho, but that was out of the barrel. It did seem more approachable,

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#6

Hi Rob, This is one of those wine experiences where a score or a note even really fail to convey my experience with this one - rest assured, I liked it plenty! :blush:

#7

I hear ya - I might paid $55 and they are now, what $70-$80?

#8

Dale - Were you drinking this with food? I wasn’t sure with the interlude you mentioned.

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#9

$93 at benchmark

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#10

Good question John, and yes. One of my favorite bachelor creations, the high end burger dip. Quality ground beef, a Macrina Brioche bun (local high end Seattle bakery), sautéed mushrooms (chanterelles if they are in season) and white onions with melted provolone, a thin dab of Dijon and of coarse the Au Jus for dipping. Does me right every time.

#11
  1. You’re making me salivate.
  2. It took you three hours to down the burger?
#12

No Sir! I barely come up for air from my Au Jus!!! If i had a snorkel in fact
.

#13

So, much of the bottle was consumed without food, I guess. I asked because, at that age, I find the Barolo really needs food.

#14

Sounds great. I have a few bottles of the regular Barolos, but not the Brunate. Maybe it’s time to check in.

#15

Doesn’t Barolo always want food? They just aren’t cocktail wines, imho.