Produttori del Barbaresco
Riserva Rio Sordo Barbaresco Nebbiolo
Barbaresco, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2017 Rio Sordo pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and loads of chunky sediment towards the bottom. On the nose, the wine is developing with solar notes of Morello cherry, pomegranate, tar, roses, dried green herbs, old wood and dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. These 2017 Riserva’s are already showing really well…sneaky good. Drink now with some patience and through 2047+. Bottle No. 00952/10000
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2017 Rio Sordo pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and loads of chunky sediment towards the bottom. On the nose, the wine is developing with solar notes of Morello cherry, pomegranate, tar, roses, dried green herbs, old wood and dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. These 2017 Riserva’s are already showing really well…sneaky good. Drink now with some patience and through 2047+. Bottle No. 00952/10000
May 9th, 2026
I had this in February, and the tannins seemed to be smoothing out, so I opened another bottle to pair with mushroom risotto. Unfortunately the tannins are still a bit too much for risotto. This needs braised meats or ribeye. Still, this is really tasty, and the tannins are drying on the palate but manageable if paired right. On the nose, inviting notes of dark cherry, tar, anise, and cloves. The flavors come through on the palate, with a beautiful cherry spice dominating. Long finish with mushroom and balsamic flavors accompanying the cherry and spice. Super tasty.
I had this in February, and the tannins seemed to be smoothing out, so I opened another bottle to pair with mushroom risotto. Unfortunately the tannins are still a bit too much for risotto. This needs braised meats or ribeye. Still, this is really tasty, and the tannins are drying on the palate but manageable if paired right. On the nose, inviting notes of dark cherry, tar, anise, and cloves. The flavors come through on the palate, with a beautiful cherry spice dominating. Long finish with mushroom and balsamic flavors accompanying the cherry and spice. Super tasty.
Oct 3rd, 2026This is at a really good place right now, definitely within its drinking window. Long-aged balsamic with a harmonious blend of spices like clove and anise coming through on the nose with some woodsy herbs as well. Mix of plum, dark cherry, balsamic, and spice on the palate. Smooth mouthfeel gives way to a bit of astringency on finish, which is evened out by nice acidity along with balsamic and spice. Paired wonderfully with duck breast and balsamic, red wine reduction with cherries.
This is at a really good place right now, definitely within its drinking window. Long-aged balsamic with a harmonious blend of spices like clove and anise coming through on the nose with some woodsy herbs as well. Mix of plum, dark cherry, balsamic, and spice on the palate. Smooth mouthfeel gives way to a bit of astringency on finish, which is evened out by nice acidity along with balsamic and spice. Paired wonderfully with duck breast and balsamic, red wine reduction with cherries.
Feb 8th, 2026
