The 2008 Barolo Cannubbio exhibits all of the classic notes typically found in wines from this site. Sweet, open floral notes lead to tobacco, leather, anise and spices as this gorgeous Barolo shows off its class. There is more than enough fruit to balance the tannins, but the 2008 remains tight and in need of further cellaring. Still, there is so much to admire in this classy, mid-weight Barolo. In 2008, the Cannubbio is all class and finesse. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038. It is great to see a continued focus on quality at this historic, family-run estate. Importer: Polaner Selections, Mt. Kisco, NY; tel. (914) 244-0404

The 2007 Barolo Cannubbio is superb in this vintage. Sweet red cherries, rose petals, mint, anise and licorice are just some of the notes that emerge from the glass. Ultimately, though, the Cannubbio is most about silkiness and textural elegance. The wine fleshes out nicely with air, showing the richness of the vintage, while maintaining a classic sense of structure. The more the wine sits in the glass the more it firms up. Sweet scents of tobacco, licorice and herbs are nicely layered into the finish. This is a terrific showing from Rinaldi. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2032. This is a solid set of new releases from Francesco Rinaldi. I would be hard pressed to name another winery that has made more significant improvements in the overall quality of the wines than Francesco Rinaldi. The style remains rigorously traditional, but the wines are far more elegant than they were just a few years ago. The 2007 Baroli are quite typical for the year. Importers: Polaner Selections, Mt. Kisco, NY; tel. (914) 244-0404; Vinity Wine Company, Emeryville, CA; tel. (510) 601-6010; Triage Wines Inc., Seattle, WA; tel. (503) 236-6262; World Wide Cellars, Minneapolis, MN; tel. (612) 378-0025; Classic Wine Company, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 871-9463

Barolo Cannubbio has a chewy, ripe side that comes across aromatically as strawberry, vanilla cream, cinnamon and soy sauce. There’s depth and elegance here as well with sweet spice renderings on the firm close.——M.L.(9/1/2011)—— 91

The 2006 Barolo Cannubbio is fabulous. Roses, sweet spices, dark cherries, minerals and licorice are some of the notes that emerge from this deceptively medium-bodied Barolo. Cannubi is the most famous hillside in Barolo for a number of reasons, not the least of which is a unique terrain where the two main soil types of the Langhe – the sandier composition of the western part of the zone and the more compact terrain of the eastern parts – are found in alternating layers. Rinaldi’s Cannubbio captures the floral qualities of Nebbiolo but with surprising muscle to back things up. There is a very slight hint of sweet spice on the finish that suggest at least part of the barrels are relatively new. Those subtle tones should dissipate over time. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031. The transformation that has taken place at Francesco Rinaldi over the last few years is truly remarkable. It wasn’t that long ago that the wines were harsh, lean and excessively austere, even within the context of traditionally made Barolo. Not any more. Today’s wines are cut with beautiful precision and show exceptional harmony. Even better, they won’t take decades to come around. Importers: Polaner Selections, Mt. Kisco, NY; tel. (914) 244-0404; Vinity Wine Company, Emeryville, CA; tel. (510) 601-6010; Triage Wines Inc., Seattle, WA; tel. (503) 236-6262; World Wide Cellars, Minneapolis, MN; tel. (612) 378-0025; Classic Wine Company, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 871-9463