2016 Giovanni Sordo Barolo 'Gabutti'

Since the very early 20th century, generations of the Sordo family have been quietly collecting parcels of the finest Nebbiolo-growing soil in the Langhe. They now have numerous plots of vines in Roero, Barbaresco and particularly Barolo – where they actually own 17 pieces of cru classified vineyard and release an unprecedented 8 labelled (Barolo) cru wines from these, so far. A 9th may not be far off. These are a cavalcade of Barolos most famous names – many of them appearing in any list of Barolos Top 10 cru; Ravera, Monvigliero, Parussi, Perno and Gabutti and the revered Castiglione Falletto trio of Villero, Rocche di Castiglione and the elusive Monprivato; the one most thought was Giuseppe Mascarello’s monopole, isnt quite. Sordo started making theirs from 2013. Prior to that its been going into the normale.

The cru wines are all vinified the same way, a suitable lens to examine the differences between each site. Vinification is in controlled temperature of 30°, with submerged caps for up to 50 days. A further 2-4 months in steel, is followed by 24 months in large Slavonian botti. Giorgio Sordo likes the wines to have a further 4-6 months in steel, to “freshen them up” before bottling.

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Ripe red fruit, cherry, tea and liquorice. So deep and resonant, thick in flavour, earthy spicy and rolling with black tea tannin, opulent on the finish. Pow. This is it. - Gary Walsh, Wine Front

Lovely scents of fresh and dried red berry fruits, brown spice, violets, some kirsch notes. Wonderful start. Rich in flavour, dense and formidable in its roll through the palate. “Endless pleasure” I spurted out, red berries, rose hip tea, alpine herbs, mint and fennel mainly, rolls long and fine, quietly powerful but also lithe and so succulent. Incredible tannin profile. Magnificent feel here - Mike Bennie, Wine Front

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Region - Barolo DOCG
Comune - Serralunga d’Alba
MGA/Vineyard/Cru - Gabutti
Variety - Nebbiolo