2020 Barolo Bussia

First introduced in 2019, we now have our second edition of this exciting wine from Giuseppe Rinaldi. The 2020 Barolo Bussia is a wine of strength and power. The Rinaldi family has 1.3 hectares in Bussia, of which 3,000 square meters are Dolcetto and the rest are Nebbiolo. Carlotta Rinaldi tells me that this new project came with a steep learning curve because clay and marl soils have a harder time drying out and getting the tractor through can be a challenge. They had leased the property in 2019 and were able to buy it in 2022. Waves of new plantings over very deep terrain came in the 1940s, the 1960s and the 1980s. That thicker soil profile contributes to the dense constitution of this Barolo. There are vines at the top of the hill with full southwest exposures and there are vines at a lower elevation. This wine represents a selection of the top part, to achieve this medium-plus texture, the bold tannic profile and these age-worthy qualities.

The 2020 Barolo Bussia opens with a burst of dark fruit, spice, menthol and licorice. Layered and light on its feet, the medium-bodied 2020 particularly reveals its explosive energy and intensity on the back end. This is super classy.