Barolo Cannubi San Lorenzo 2008 Giuseppe Rinaldi

Cannubi San Lorenzo 2008 – Giuseppe Rinaldi

The Philosophy of Giuseppe Rinaldi

Talking about Giuseppe Rinaldi means delving into the heart of the Langhe’s authentic traditions. The winery, representing one of the highest expressions of traditional Barolo, is a true icon of quality. The Rinaldi family has always rejected technological shortcuts, focusing instead on methods that respect the natural evolution of the vineyard and the wine. In the vineyard, every choice is made with utmost respect for the land: low yields per vine, manual harvests, and a meticulous attention to the quality of the fruit, which must express the terroir with purity and without compromise. In the winery, the approach is equally strict, without the use of barriques or invasive techniques, preserving the authenticity of the wine.

The Vineyard

The Cannubi San Lorenzo comes from one of the most prestigious crus in the Langhe, where Nebbiolo finds its perfect expression in an ideal microclimate. The vines, rooted in sandy marl soils, are exposed to the sun in a location that benefits from the protection of the surrounding hills. The vineyard is managed with the utmost respect for nature: pesticides and chemical fertilizers are strictly prohibited, and all operations are done manually to ensure that only the best grapes make their way to the winery.

Winemaking

The winemaking process of the Cannubi San Lorenzo 2008 follows a strict and artisanal tradition. After a manual harvest, the grapes are fermented spontaneously, without the addition of selected yeasts. The maceration on the skins is long, lasting up to 40 days, allowing the wine to extract fine tannins and complex aromas. The wine is aged in large Slavonian oak casks, where it rests for 42 months. No filtration is carried out, preserving the purity of the Nebbiolo and allowing it to evolve naturally.

Sensory Analysis

Color

The wine presents a deep garnet red, which, with age, reveals subtle orange hues, a sign of the perfect maturation of the Nebbiolo.

Nose

The nose is an emotional journey: floral notes of wilted rose and violet immediately come to the forefront, blending with mature red fruits like cherry and pomegranate. With time, more complex aromas appear, such as white truffle, leather, sweet tobacco, and oriental spices, creating a rich and multi-layered bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is elegant and austere, with a powerful yet balanced structure. The tannins are still present but perfectly integrated, and the freshness accentuates its longevity. The finish is long, with a mineral and savory persistence that seems endless. The greatness of this wine will continue to unfold over the coming decades.

Food Pairings

The Cannubi San Lorenzo 2008 is perfect with dishes that require great structure and complexity. It pairs beautifully with braised meats cooked in Barolo, game such as wild boar in salmì, or traditional Piedmontese dishes like risotto with porcini mushrooms. It also pairs excellently with aged cheeses, such as Castelmagno or **extra-aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

Technical Sheet

• Producer: Giuseppe Rinaldi

• Denomination: Barolo DOCG

• Vintage: 2008

• Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo

• Alcohol Content: 14.5% vol

• Aging: Large Slavonian oak casks for 42 months

• Serving Temperature: 18-20°C

• Color: Deep garnet red with orange hues

• Nose: Wilted rose, violet, licorice, leather, white truffle

• Taste: Austere, elegant, fresh, with long persistence

• Food Pairings: Braised meats, game, mixed boiled meats, aged cheeses

See all products of Rinaldi

The Giuseppe Rinaldi winery is one of the most iconic in Piedmont, a name that evokes tradition, authenticity, and resistance to trends.

Located in Barolo, this estate has built its reputation by producing wines that embody the true essence of Nebbiolo and the Langhe region. Their style, deeply rooted in traditional methods, avoids modernist influences, instead focusing on long macerations, large Slavonian oak barrels, and an absolute respect for the vintage and terroir.

Origins and Philosophy

The winery’s history dates back to the late 19th century, when the Rinaldi family began producing wine in Barolo. However, it was with Giuseppe Rinaldi, affectionately known as “Beppe,” that the winery became a true symbol of artisanal winemaking. Originally trained as a veterinarian, Beppe firmly opposed modern and commercial winemaking techniques, always defending a Barolo of structure and depth, capable of evolving for decades.

Today, Giuseppe’s legacy is carried on by his daughters, Marta and Carlotta Rinaldi, who continue the winemaking tradition while maintaining the family’s core values: manual vineyard work, spontaneous fermentations, and extended aging periods.

Vineyards and Terroir

The winery owns some of the finest Barolo crus: Brunate, Cannubi San Lorenzo, Le Coste, and Ravera, vineyards that produce deep, complex wines. The vineyards are farmed with sustainable practices, avoiding the use of harsh chemicals to fully express the uniqueness of the land.

Winemaking Style

Rinaldi wines are renowned for their traditional approach:

• Spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts, without temperature control.

• Long macerations on the skins, often exceeding 30 days, for a natural extraction of color, tannins, and aromas.

• Aging in large Slavonian oak barrels for several years, avoiding barriques to preserve the integrity of Nebbiolo.

Iconic Wines

Giuseppe Rinaldi’s Barolos are among the most sought-after in the world due to their purity and longevity. The two flagship labels are:

• Barolo Brunate: From one of the most prestigious crus, this is a powerful and structured wine with extraordinary aging potential.

• Barolo Tre Tine: A blend of different vineyards (Le Coste, Cannubi San Lorenzo, and Ravera), offering a more elegant and refined expression of Barolo with remarkable aromatic complexity.

Conclusion

Giuseppe Rinaldi represents an ancient and noble way of winemaking, where patience and respect for nature take center stage. His wines, age-worthy and expressive, are not designed to impress immediately but to reveal, over time, the true soul of Barolo.