Francesco Rinaldi e Figli Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata

Phenomenal but does need a good hour

A bloody nose, clementine, spices, and dark fruit. A beautifully mature palate, already quite elegant, with an attack of red fruit and a rather atypical clementine note. The mid-palate is both floral and earthy. A pleasant, approachable, and expressive finish with hints of spice. A very good Barolo.

Pale garnet. Notably cool and tranquil on the nose, though youthfully quiet, its aromas hinting at both dried and fresh cherries, clementines, pressed reds flowers and baked earth. More lively on the palate where this is full bodied and curvy, but wearing its weight well with nearly high acidity and ripe, fine tannins providing balance. Honestly, with air this is pretty gulpable at the moment, but it should be more interesting in the future.

Held a tasting for our local wine tasting group, Bymarkens Vinprovning last night. Theme Nebbiolo from Northern Italy where the idea was to showcase Nebbiolo, not only from Langhe, but also Valtellina DOCG (Lombardy), Ghemme DOCG (Alto Piemonte) and Roero DOCG (North of Langhe). Should add that all wines were tasted blind during the evening and prices are discussed only after we have discussed what we have tried. The following lineup: 2018 Ca Morei Valtellina DOCG Superiore 2018 Rovellotti Ghemme …

La Festa del Barolo 2023 : The '18 Rocche is an impressive new wine from Rinaldi. At this stage, the aromatics stood out, while the palate shows a level of structure and tannic heft that few wines from this vintage do, making this one of the less approachable 2018s in my opinion. The aromatics were immediately striking, with sweet red roses, orange peel, sweet spices, mint, and pure red berry fruits. It's a very fresh, red fruited and red floral …

La Festa del Barolo: Masterclass (and burgers) (The Pool/Grill) : A pleasant surprise for me and a wine that makes me thinking that perhaps we should be making a visit here in a future trip. I mostly associate the winery with wines we bought from them back in the 60�s all of which have proven to be very strong and well-aged (in the back of my head I think just a splash of Barbera could have been part of it). …

La Festa del Barolo 2023 (The Pool, NYC) : The Barolo Rocche dell�Annunziata was a highlight of my recent flight of 2018s, lifting from the glass with vivid black cherries complemented by autumnal spices and hints of shaved cedar. This is lifted and juicy in feel, with bright red berries and crisp acidity that adds energy throughout as rosy inner florals form toward the close. Nuances of licorice and balsam herbs linger through the long and lightly structured finale. This …

Festa dal barolo AM tasting Cooler fruited, violet more than rose florals, spice and freshness. Still pretty tight and does not open much over the tasting. Good lift and freshness and well as sense fo structure and balance . Midweighted and classically proportioned. Fell s like a little unripe pips texturally. Outstanding and too closed/ young for me to really get a good feel of it.

La Festa del Barolo (Los Angeles) Grand Tasting (Marino Restaurant, Los Angeles) : Big, rich entry but more classic austere finish. Good potential.