Vineyard and terroir

Ricü combines selected Nebbiolo from vineyards in the municipalities of Barbaresco and Treiso, situated at 250–350 m above sea level with southern and western exposures. Planting density ranges from 4,000 to 4,200 vines per hectare; vines are trellised and Guyot-pruned.

The vineyards encompass the Lequio Formation—alternating sandstone of varying cementation, sand and compact marl—and S. Agata fossil marls, comprising grey-blue marls of varying sand content with local sandy-conglomeratic intercalations. The hillside soil is a fine, calcareous Typic Ustorthent. Grape yield is 8,000 kg/ha and wine yield is 5,200 L/ha.

Grapes

100% Nebbiolo from the Barbaresco DOCG area.

Vinification

Harvest runs from late September through the first fifteen days of October. Fruit from the different vineyards is harvested and vinified separately. After destemming and crushing, alcoholic fermentation and maceration take place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks for at least one week at 28–32°C. Following racking, each wine remains on its lees for at least two months at 20–22°C while malolactic fermentation is completed. The separate lots are then tasted and blended according to their characteristics.

Ageing

The assembled wine matures for approximately 30 months, partly in new and once-used 225 L barriques. It is bottled three years after harvest and receives at least six additional months of cellar ageing before release.

Tasting profile

Deep garnet red with orange reflections. The bouquet is deep, with notes of wood, ripe fruit and spice. The palate has good structure, assertive yet gentle tannins, warmth and a persistent finish. The combination of selected vineyard lots and extended maturation gives the wine pronounced aromatic depth and structure.