Barolo Tre Tine, Giuseppe Rinaldi 2017

The Giuseppe Rinaldi 2017 Barolo Tre Tine was bottled in September 2020, and Carlotta Rinaldi tells me that the wine has gone through various moments of openness and shyness since then. The wine was a little closed when I tasted it this past summer, but its evolution is far from over. As you contemplate the bouquet, you sense lots of fruit, yet there is no excessive ripeness like you might expect from this hot and dry vintage. It shows elegant fruit weight, streamlined and silky, with dried violet, spice and rusty nail. It carries a medium texture that is elongated by the wine's integrated tannins and acidity. Tre Tine is a blend of fruit from Ravera, Le Coste and Cannubi San Lorenzo, and these latter two vineyards were harvested especially early in this vintage, starting on September 13, 2017, which is unusual for Nebbiolo.

The 2017 Barolo Tre Tine from Giuseppe Rinaldi is mid-ruby, translucent but with a good color intensity - in fact the color of the 2017 Tre Tine is more youthful than the 2018. On the nose there is sweet spice, earthy top notes and a slight leather or game note. It is a firm, austere style with a very traditional feel. There is less mid-palate and textural succulence, but this is wine feels more about fresh acidity and firm tannins. The tannins are firm but fine in texture and seem to be closing down the fruit at the moment. It is a great example of a traditional style Barolo built for the long haul. Wait 2-3 years and drink for 20 plus.