Francesco Rinaldi Barolo 2016

The story of Francesco Rinaldi is deeply rooted in the heart of Barolo and stretches back to the late 19th century. The winery was founded in 1870 by Francesco Rinaldi, one of the early pioneers to bottle Barolo at the estate rather than selling wine in bulk, a visionary step at the time. Based in Barolo village, the family quickly built a reputation for producing honest, terroir-driven wines that reflected the classic style of the region. For generations, the estate remained firmly family-run, with knowledge and vineyards passed down rather than expanded aggressively. The Rinaldi family became known for their strong connection to traditional Barolo values: long macerations, restrained use of oak and patience above all. Today, the winery is run by Paola and Piera Rinaldi, who continue to honour their great-grandfather’s philosophy, preserving a style that prioritises authenticity, elegance and longevity over modern trends.

The 2016 vintage in Barolo is regarded as one of the great modern classics, combining ripeness with precision and exceptional balance. A long, even growing season allowed Nebbiolo to ripen slowly, resulting in wines with fine tannins, vibrant acidity and remarkable aromatic clarity. Francesco Rinaldi’s Barolo 2016 is made in a strictly traditional style. Fermentation takes place with extended maceration to extract structure and depth, followed by 36 months ageing in large Slavonian oak botti, where the wine evolves without overt oak influence. The result is a Barolo of purity and restraint, showing classic notes of rose, red cherry, tar and earthy minerality, structured yet refined, and built for long-term ageing.