Readers looking for a classic old-school Barbera will delight in Rinaldi’s 2006 Barbera d’Alba. This expansive, generous wine is packed with dark fruit, spices, minerals and menthol. It reveals awesome depth and balance in a very pure style. This wine has rarely been imported into the US so fans of this estate will want to be on the lookout for this unique, compelling Barbera that represents the very finest of the artisan tradition in Piedmont. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016. “Beppe” Rinaldi is one of Piedmont’s most iconic producers. Historically his bottles have been hard to find because they are mostly sold to private individuals rather than the trade, meaning that large lots are nearly impossible to come by. These are among the most natural, unmanipulated wines being made anywhere. At times past vintages have shown some rough edges and excessive amount of volatile acidity, but those traits seem to belong to the past, as today’s wines are cleaner and better made. My recent visit was illuminating as I tasted everything in barrel from vintages 2004 through 2007. The rigorously traditional style is alive and well in these cellars. The wines are fermented in an open-top wood vat using natural yeasts. Temperature is not mechanically controlled. The wines see a longish fermentation/maceration and are aged in cask. Although Rinaldi has changed out a few barrels recently, the only concession to anything resembling modernity is an old-fashioned rotary telephone, which seems to genuinely annoy him each time it rings. Yields here have never been particularly low but the trend towards warmer growing seasons has resulted in beautifully ripe and fragrant fruit, particularly in recent years. One of things I admire most about Rinaldi is that he just goes about his business as he always has. He doesn’t give a hoot what I, or anyone else for that matter, thinks about his wines, and that suits him just fine. Prices have barely budged since I began visiting years ago. Rinaldi told me he thought generally pricing had gone out of hand. “It is, after all, just wine,” he said. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907