Ca' Rome' Barbaresco Maria di Brun 2013

Ca' Rome' Barbaresco Maria di Brun 2013 is a 750ml single-vineyard Barbaresco from Piedmont, Italy, bottled at 13.5% ABV from 100% Nebbiolo. Released only in exceptional vintages, this cuvée is produced from grapes left on the vine an extra 15 days beyond the standard harvest for added concentration — a hallmark of the Maria di Brun bottling that has earned consistent critical recognition across multiple vintages.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy  |  Vintage: 2013  |  Grape: 100% Nebbiolo  |  Producer: Ca' Rome' (Romano Marengo)

Production & Heritage

Ca' Rome' is a family estate located in the village of Barbaresco, led by Romano Marengo. The Maria di Brun bottling is named after Romano's mother, who instilled in him the principle of uncompromising quality. Only produced in outstanding years, this wine begins with a roughly 20-day maceration at a controlled maximum temperature of 30°C. It then ages for 30 months in large 25-hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels, with a portion spending time in smaller barriques before a minimum of 12 additional months of bottle aging prior to release. The extended hang time on the vine and selective production schedule distinguish Maria di Brun as the estate's most ambitious expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Subtle at first, the wine gradually unfolds with sour cherry and fresh rose, followed by incense, cedar, and layers of underbrush. Give it time in the glass — the complexity rewards patience.

Taste: The palate opens with raspberry preserves and dried cherry, moving through savory spice and crushed herbs at mid-palate. Full-bodied yet balanced, unyielding acidity provides structure beneath stacked layers of dried fruit, leather, and tea leaves. Chalky, slightly chewy tannins frame the wine without overwhelming the fruit.

Finish: Medium-to-long, with a silky texture that carries hints of dried herbs, citrus peel, and tree bark. The tannins resolve into a velvety conclusion that lingers with quiet cedar and earth.

How to Drink Maria di Brun

This Barbaresco is best served at 60–65°F (16–18°C) in a large-bowled glass, ideally decanted for at least an hour to let the aromatics fully develop. Drinking it neat and unadorned allows the wine's complexity to speak for itself. For food-driven occasions, consider pairing rather than mixing — Maria di Brun's structure and acidity make it a natural companion for rich, savory dishes. A Barolo Risotto built around braised meat and aged Parmigiano highlights the wine's earthy depth. Brasato al Barbaresco, the traditional Piedmontese beef braise, mirrors the wine's tannin structure and dried-fruit character. Tajarin with truffle butter amplifies the cedar and underbrush notes on the nose.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Italian wine collector or Nebbiolo enthusiast
• Anchoring a multi-course Piedmontese dinner with truffles and braised meats
• Cellaring for continued development — the 2013 vintage has years of life ahead
• Marking a milestone occasion with a limited-production, vintage-specific release

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Maria di Brun taste like? It delivers a rich, layered profile of dried cherry, leather, tea leaves, and cedar, underpinned by firm acidity and chalky tannins. Rose and incense on the nose give way to savory spice and raspberry preserves on the palate.

How does Maria di Brun compare to Produttori del Barbaresco Riservas? Both are single-vineyard Barbaresco wines from 100% Nebbiolo, but Maria di Brun is distinguished by its extended vine hang time and combined aging in both large Slavonian oak casks and barriques. The Produttori Riservas tend toward a more classically austere style, while Maria di Brun leans into ripeness and concentration.

Is Maria di Brun good for cellaring? Yes — built with firm tannins and bright acidity, the 2013 vintage has the structural backbone for extended aging, and comparable vintages of this wine have shown drinking windows stretching well over a decade from release.

Where is Maria di Brun made? It is produced by the Ca' Rome' estate, situated in the village of Barbaresco within Piedmont, northwestern Italy. Barbaresco is one of Piedmont's most celebrated appellations for Nebbiolo-based wines.

What foods pair well with Maria di Brun? Braised short ribs or osso buco complement the wine's tannic grip and dried-fruit depth. Aged hard cheeses like Castelmagno or Parmigiano-Reggiano echo its earthy undertones. Wild mushroom risotto highlights the cedar and underbrush aromatics. Roasted duck with cherry reduction mirrors the wine's core fruit. Cured salumi, especially bresaola, works well as a lighter pairing that doesn't compete with the wine's complexity.

What sizes does Maria di Brun come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is Maria di Brun worth the price? Maria di Brun positions as a premium single-vineyard Barbaresco, produced only in top vintages from late-harvested fruit with extended oak aging. Within the broader landscape of Barbaresco crus, it represents strong value relative to the most famous names in the appellation while delivering comparable depth and aging potential.

Why Maria di Brun?

What sets this wine apart starts in the vineyard: the decision to leave fruit on the vine an additional 15 days beyond the normal harvest creates a level of concentration that most Barbaresco producers do not pursue. The wine is only released when the vintage warrants it, meaning every bottle of Maria di Brun represents a deliberate quality threshold rather than a production schedule. Previous vintages have earned scores of 93 points from Wine Spectator (2007 vintage) and 92 points from James Suckling (2010 vintage), reflecting the cuvée's consistent standing among top-tier Barbaresco. For collectors and serious drinkers seeking a Nebbiolo with both generosity and structure, this is a bottling that earns its place through restraint and selectivity rather than volume.