About Barbaresco Rio Sordo
- Style
- Red
- Grape Varieties
- Nebbiolo
- Price Range
- $40-50
- Alcohol
- 14%
Cascina Bruciata's flagship Barbaresco, sourced entirely from the estate's holdings in the historic Rio Sordo cru — a south/southwest-facing amphitheater on calcareous clay-marl soils, cooled by the underground stream that gives the cru its name ('silent river'). Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts, followed by roughly 24 months of aging in French oak barrels. The wine shows the modern, polished house style: ripe dark cherry and blackberry fruit, violet and spice aromatics, and firm but refined tannins, with balsamic and mineral undertones typical of Rio Sordo fruit.
This is the wine that proves Cascina Bruciata's 2016 sale to Marchesi di Barolo was a homecoming, not a dilution — Rio Sordo fruit this precise deserves the attention it's finally getting.
New to wine?
A great entry point into serious Barbaresco — polished tannins and ripe fruit make it approachable while still showing real Nebbiolo structure.
Food Pairings
A classic match for braised veal (vitello tonnato excluded — think brasato al Barbera-style braises), beef stew, roasted game, and aged Piedmontese cheeses like Castelmagno.
When to drink it
Special dinners, Piedmontese cuisine, cellar-worthy gift bottle
Terroir & Winemaking
100% Nebbiolo from the Rio Sordo cru (Barbaresco). Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts at controlled temperature, extended maceration on the skins, then aged approximately 24 months in French oak barrels (barrique/tonneau) prior to bottling. Certified organic farming (since 2015).
About the producer
Cascina BruciataRio Sordo cru specialist, now a distinct label within Marchesi di Barolo.Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Barbaresco Rio Sordo different from Barolo?
- Both are 100% Nebbiolo DOCG wines from Piedmont, but Barbaresco generally has a shorter minimum aging requirement and softer tannins than Barolo, making Rio Sordo more approachable in its youth while still capable of aging.
- How long can I cellar this wine?
- Cascina Bruciata's Rio Sordo Barbaresco is an early-to-mid-term drinker that is enjoyable within its first decade but can develop further complexity for 10-15 years given good storage.
- What food pairs best with this wine?
- Braised meats, beef stew, roasted game, and aged hard cheeses like Castelmagno are classic pairings; it also works well with rich, soy-based Japanese braises.
- Is Cascina Bruciata's Rio Sordo organic?
- Yes, the Rio Sordo vineyard has been certified organic since 2015.
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