RioCassero is the name of a stream that runs past the property and of one of Capazo’s vineyards (il Cassero), which was partially planted in the mid-1990s. It is also the name of a Brunello that can today be considered Tenuta Caparzo’s 2nd wine. It was produced for the first time in 1992.
The wine is composed of wines made from Sangiovese Grosso from our own harvest, which i.a. comes from the il Cassero vineyard but also from other younger parcels on the other farms. Also wines that have been sorted out during the composition of Caparzos 1. Brunello wine is included in it. Rio Cassero is matured for 3 years in large wooden barrels (50-80 hl.) of oak from Slavonia and France, and a further 12 months in bottle before leaving the vineyard. RioCassero is therefore lighter than e.g. Caparzo’s 1st wine in the same vintage, but in many cases it is actually an advantage: the wine simply matures faster than its big brother and therefore acquires a softer and more harmonious style earlier.
RioCassero has Brunello’s deep, ruby-red color, and with age will acquire a classic reddish-brown rim on the glass. It has a soft and rounded character and at the same time a lot of fruit and elegance, with a good depth and concentration. You find Caparzo’s typical nuances of pepper, cherry and marzipan, but it is the finesse and the fruit that come out in the end, with delicate nuances of wild berries. It clearly has potential for an 8-12 year maturation. The wine may be opened 1/2 hour before serving. RioCassero will go well with game birds, lamb, duck and with white or red mold cheeses.
Caparzo was founded in 1970 and is today owned by the visionary and dynamic Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini, who, among other things, also owns the properties “Borgo Scopeto” in Castelnuovo Berardenga (Chianti Classico) and “Doga delle Clavule” in Maremma in the southwestern part of Tuscany. Under her ownership, large sums have been invested in bringing Caparzo to a state-of-the-art producer that makes some of the best Brunello di Montalcino wines in this prestigious wine region, considered one of the best in Italy.
The Caparzo property, which lies below and close to the idyllic and elevated town of Montalcino, consists of a total of 200 ha., of which 90 ha are today. planted with vines. The rest is primarily set aside for forest and arable land, but some olives are also grown. The calcareous subsoil gives the opportunity to make concentrated wines with an elegant fruit and finesse. First of all, of course, it is the Brunello wines that are the main focus at Caparzo, and which they make in 4 versions, but they also make also Rosso di Montalcino, a “super-Tuscan”, a couple of white wines and a sweet Moscadello di Montalcino. Therefore, in addition to primarily Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer and Moscadello are also grown.
In the wine cellar, there is absolutely the most modern technical equipment, which ensures full control over the vinification, and in a beautiful maturation cellar with vaulted ceilings you will find a wide selection of the best wooden casks (Slavonian and Allier). Caparzo’s wines are rightly regarded as distinguished representatives of the coveted and internationally acclaimed Brunello di Montalcino wines, and their wines are today found in many of the best restaurants in the world.
