2008 Barolo Brunate Le Coste

I very much want my guests to experience the joy of an epic, traditionally made Barolo. What could be better than Beppe Rinaldi’s 2008 Barolo Brunate/Le Coste? An exotic bouquet of lavender, violets and rose petals lifts from the glass. The wine is utterly mesmerizing from the very first taste. Over the last few months, the 2008 has begun to shut down a little, but not enough to detract from its extraordinary beauty. Vivid and totally alive in the glass, the 2008 Barolo Brunate/Le Coste is simply dazzling. Mission accomplished. (AG)

Light cherry red with a pale rim. Very pure aroma of autumn mulch. Delicate palate entry leads to very firm tannins. Although this is very young, it is also really elegant. There is just the start of some rose petal flavour. Clean as a whistle. Great vivacity and purity. Very neat finish. Really lissom and truly ethereal. I opened and decanted a bottle four hours before consuming it and it was absolutely delicious even in 2013. (JR)

Endless layers of dark, balsamic-infused fruit emerge from the 2008 Barolo Brunate-Le Coste. Tar, licorice spices and plums develop in the glass. Where the Cannubi/S. Lorenzo is seductive, the Brunate-Le Coste is all about power. Virile and imposing, the 2008 is likely to require another decade to start showing its true personality, but the truth is, it is already highly appealing. Violets, menthol, tar and rose petals are just some of the many notes that burst from this super-classic Barolo. The 2008 Brunate-Le Coste is another dazzling wine from Beppe Rinaldi and his daughter Marta. It is easily among the very best wines of the year.