2021 Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo

***Max. 1 bottle per order Rio Sordo runs along the southern stretch of the commune, a long, southwest-facing ribbon of dirt famed for producing wines defined by silkiness and lifted aromatics rather than brute force. It shows an unforced elegance even in highly concentrated years like 2021. The cooperative handles this fruit with a light touch, opting for traditional large cask aging to preserve the delicate perfume of the vineyard. The small berries of this vintage just mean the elegant structure has plenty of staying power. The wine hits the glass with a pale, brilliant ruby colour. It shows a pretty, potpourri perfume, mountain raspberries and a cool, woodsy spice edge. The real joy here is the mouthfeel, where the tannins are exceptionally fine-grained, offering a smooth, flowing drinkability that finishes with a long, sapid line of clean acidity.