WHAT

Red

WHEN

1990

WHERE

Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

Vigna Rionda is one of the most revered single vineyards in all of Barolo — a south-facing cru on the steep hillside above Serralunga d'Alba, with compact Helvetian soils that push Nebbiolo to its most structured and age-worthy expression. The vineyard's reputation goes back centuries, and the grapes that come from its oldest vines are considered by many to be the finest in the appellation.

Aldo Canale was a small, traditional producer whose family has roots in the Serralunga area. This 1990 was made by the current owner's uncle — one of only a few vintages he produced from these old vines before the estate changed hands. The 1990 vintage in Barolo is legendary: a long, warm growing season followed by a cool September that preserved aromatics and built exceptional structure. Bottles from this year have been developing for over three decades and are now showing exactly what great aged Barolo looks like.

Decant well in advance. Serve with the simplest food you can find — a piece of aged cheese, or nothing at all. Something this rare deserves your full attention.