Sordo Barolo

Sordo Barolo

WHY WE LOVE IT

  • Sordo’s flagship Barolo bottling is everything we look for in traditional, classical Nebbiolo – Haunting aromatics, layers of complexity, and ethereal palate texture.
  • The grapes used here come from top level vineyards located in Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d’Alba, and La Morra (there is actually a good bit of declassified Cru material in here).

Varietal Composition: 100% Nebbiolo

Elaboration: The grapes are Crushing/destemming, long submerged-cap maceration. Vinification occurs in stainless steel temperature controlled vats. The wine will spend 6 months in stainless steel vats before ageing 24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels.

Tasting Notes: Garnet red in color with orangey nuances which become gradually more noticeable as the wine ages; an aroma that is subtle, evolved, intense, pervasive and lingering; a warm, full-bodied, complex, dry and well-balanced taste. Its austere nature is determined by the presence of sweet and complex tannins.

PRESS

2012 – 90 James Suckling

2013 – 90 Wine Spectator | 91 James Suckling

2015 – 93 Wine Spectator | 93 James Suckling

2016 – 92 James Suckling

PRODUCER BACKGROUND

The Azienda Agricola Giovanni Sordo lies in the heart of the well-known Barolo region in the municipality of Castiglione Falletto. It’s a family-run winery now in the capable hands of Giorgio, Giovanni’s son, the third generation of a family who has been tending and producing wines for more than a century. The estate was founded in 1912 by Giorgio’s great-father Giuseppe, but the real turnover came with his son Giovanni purchased an enviable assortment of elite-level cru vineyard sites in Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Novello, La Morra, Verduno, Grinzane Cavour and Vezza d’Alba. Sordo is the only existing Piedmontese winery that can boast offerings from eight different Crus, and to make things even more dynamic these Crus are spread out amongst five separate municipalities in the Barolo wine district and are all sustainably farmed. Current holdings come out to 53 hectares in total, making Sordo one of Piedmont’s most recognizable producers.

In terms of cellar practices Sordo is also quite unique –  Equipment for fermentation, storage and bottling here is exclusively old school – A commitment to the use of large Slavonian casks (aka botti) means a historic, pure, and authentic taste of Piedmont’s terroir.  In total their (huge) cellar boasts one-hundred-and-eleven botti, a jaw dropping number by all accounts!  These are traditional wines that we are honored to represent.

PRINT rated SHELF TALKER (2013 – 91 James Suckling)