The 2016 Ca Rome Barbaresco Rio Sordo, made from the Nebbiolo grape, hails from the prestigious Barbaresco region of Piedmont, Italy. This red wine, bottled with a cork closure, boasts an alcohol content of 15.5%. It has generated significant buzz among wine critics, earning high praise across the board for its distinctive characteristics and quality.
James Suckling awarded this wine a score of 92, noting its "riper, earthier scent than most 2016 Barbarescos at this stage," and highlighting its "notes of leather, tar, tobacco and dried fruit." He describes the wine as "stocky and chunky," with "brambly, chewy tannins" and a "long and forthcoming" finish. Suckling recommends drinking this wine from 2023 onwards to fully appreciate its developed flavors.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the 2016 Ca Rome Barbaresco Rio Sordo a slightly higher score of 93. The review emphasizes its "great aromatic intensity" and the presence of "dark fruit, dried cherry, licorice and crushed limestone." The tannins are described as "silky and firm" yet "well integrated into the texture of the wine." The aging process, involving eight months in barrique followed by 12 months in Slavonian oak, contributes to the wine's volume and layering. This vintage was produced in a limited quantity of 7,000 bottles.
Wine Spectator was particularly impressed, rating it 95 points. The review praises the wine's "great clarity to the strawberry, cherry, rose and menthol flavors," noting that the tannins "make their mark" without overpowering the balance. The wine is described as "balanced, expressive and set to develop" with a suggested drinking window from 2023 to 2043. With only 400 cases made and 50 cases imported, this wine is both rare and highly sought after.
Wine & Spirits also rated the wine at 95 points, pointing out its "intoxicating introduction" of "scents of whole roses (stem, leaf and petal)." The flavors of "red cherry, sour plum and pomegranate" are framed by "brisk acidity and fine, chalky tannins," and unfold in layers that include "licorice, tobacco and a hint of white chocolate."
In summary, the 2016 Ca Rome Barbaresco Rio Sordo is a highly acclaimed wine that showcases the classic traits of Nebbiolo from Barbaresco. With its complex aromas, balanced structure, and potential for aging, it stands out as an excellent choice for collectors and connoisseurs alike.