The 2016 Ca Rome Barbaresco Rio Sordo is a captivating red wine that showcases the exceptional quality of Nebbiolo from the Barbaresco region in Piedmont, Italy. With its deep red color and elegant label, this wine exudes sophistication and promises a truly remarkable tasting experience.
Upon opening the bottle, the wine reveals a riper and earthier scent compared to most 2016 Barbarescos. The aromas of leather, tar, tobacco, and dried fruit create a complex and enticing bouquet. This wine is stocky and chunky on the palate, with brambly and chewy tannins that add a robust and satisfying texture. The finish is long and forthcoming, leaving a lasting impression that lingers on the palate.
Renowned wine critic James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive score of 92, highlighting its potential for aging. He suggests enjoying this Barbaresco from 2023 onwards, allowing it to further develop and evolve in the bottle. Suckling's tasting note emphasizes the wine's distinctive character, making it stand out among its peers.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also praises the 2016 Ca Rome Barbaresco Rio Sordo, awarding it a score of 93. The review commends the wine's aromatic intensity, with dark fruit, dried cherry, licorice, and crushed limestone notes. The integration of silky and firm tannins adds depth and complexity to the wine's texture. The aging process in barrique and Slavonian oak contributes to the wine's volume and layering, creating a truly harmonious and balanced expression of Nebbiolo.
Other esteemed publications such as Vinous, Wine Spectator, and Wine & Spirits have also recognized the exceptional qualities of this wine. Vinous awarded it a score of 92, describing it as bright, fruity, and absolutely delicious. Wine Spectator awarded it an impressive 95 points, noting its pristine clarity and the balanced expression of strawberry, cherry, rose, and menthol flavors. Wine & Spirits also bestowed a score of 95, highlighting the intoxicating scents of whole roses and the wine's high-toned flavors of red cherry, sour plum, and pomegranate.
Overall, the 2016 Ca Rome Barbaresco Rio Sordo is a wine that showcases the best of Barbaresco and Nebbiolo. Its exceptional reviews and the praise it has received from esteemed critics make it a wine worth seeking out for any wine connoisseur or collector.