The Ca' Rome' 2016 Barbaresco Maria di Brün is dedicated to vintner Giuseppe Marengo's grandmother, Maria. She had deep roots in the Serralunga d'Alba area and was the original owner of the property the family now farms in this comune, specifically in the Cerretta and Rapet vineyards. This is a limited-edition wine only made in the best vintages (and some 2,500 bottles of the 2016 edition are available). The wine shows power and depth with a robust and generous quality of fruit. Black cherry, plum and cassis emerge from the bouquet. Fruit comes from a site with soils that are rich in magnesium and manganese. Once the wine opens in the glass, you recognize some rusty iron-ore aromas as well.

Ample flavors of plum, black cherry, tar, eucalyptus and spice mark this beefy red. There is plenty of sweet fruit, offset by burly tannins. Comes together nicely on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2037. 200 cases imported. — BS