Giovanni Sordo
Unique Holdings
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, isn’t quite. Sordo started making theirs in 2013. Prior to that, it’s been going into the normale.
A Barolo Discovery
The wines of Giovanni Sordo seem to astonish everyone who tries them; “where have these been?!”. Almost everyone, that is, as there are a few devotees already...“What a lovely traditional producer Sordo is. These wines age gracefully for many years (tasted from the 1980s+). They have purity, refinement & loud terroir expression. It’s particularly fun to try the single vineyard cru wines all together as they show the added structure of limestone/sandstone vs clays, the cooling effect of altitude, & the different Cru complexities.” Chester Osborn, Nov 18
Sordo HQ is nestled in the corner of Castiglione Falletto comune on the last stretch of the Alba-Barolo road before it takes that left fork up to Barolo village. You take this track (Frazione Garbelletto) just to the left for Paolo Scavino and Azelia, or right another 100 metres for the entrance to the Sordo family’s quite spectacular and beautiful new cellar (seen above). While the sheer impact and architectural quality of this new facility are eye-catching, the wines demand the most attention. For the sheer consistent excellence of this number of wines, made in an essentially traditional and unforced style, it is impossible not to take note of the wines of A A Giovanni Sordo. These wines have been described as transparent, and they are made by people who want their wines to speak of where they come from.
Winemaking
Rapuje Bianco
-Fermented in stainless steel temperature-controlled
-Aged for 4 months in tank and 3 months in bottle
Barbera d’Alba
-During alcoholic fermentation, the temperature is kept at 26-28°C
-Long Maceration on submerged cap for 14 days
- Aged for 6 months in stainless steel vats and a further 3 months in bottle
Nebbiolo d’Alba
-During alcoholic fermentation, the temperature is kept at 30°C
-Long Maceration on submerged cap for 10 days
- Aged for 6 months in stainless steel and then 9 months in Slavonian oak barrels
Barbaresco
-Long Maceration on submerged cap for 10 days
-Aged for 6 months in stainless steel and then 12 months in Slavonian oak barrels
Barolo
-Long Maceration on submerged cap (length dependent on vintage)
-Aged for 6 months in stainless steel and a further 24 months in Slavonian oak barrels
Barolo Cru Wines
(Rocche di Castiglione, Parussi, Villero, Monprivato, Gabutti, Perno, Monvigliero, Ravera)
-Fermented in stainless steel temperature-controlled vats
-Long Maceration on submerged cap for 4-7 weeks, depending on the vintage
-Natural malolactic fermentation at 20°C
-2-4 months in stainless steel
-Aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 24 months
-Giorgio Sordo likes the wines to age a further 4-6 months in steel to “freshen them up” before bottling.
-Minimum six months in bottle
| Wine | Region/ Comune | Varieties | Soil Type | Altitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapujé Bianco | Castiglione Falletto and La Morra | 10% Viognier, 30% Chardonnay and 60% Sauvignon Blanc | Limestone and clay | 230 |
| Barbera d'Alba | Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d’Alba | Barbera | Calcerous and Clay | 300-400 |
| Nebbiolo d'Alba | Roero | Nebbiolo | Grey Calcareous Marls | 280-330 |
| Barbaresco | Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso | Nebbiolo | Clay, Grey Calcareous Marls and Sand | 300-350 |
| Barolo | Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Novello, La Morra, Verduno and Grinzane Cavour | Nebbiolo | Grey Calcareous Marls | 300-400 |
| Barolo Rocche di Castiglione | Castiglione Falletto | Nebbiolo | Limestone and Marl | 320-350 |
| Barolo Parussi | Castiglione Falletto | Nebbiolo | Limestone and Marl | 270-290 |
| Barolo Villero | Castiglione Falletto | Nebbiolo | Clayey, calcareous, composed of bluish grey marl and compact gray sand | 230-350 |
| Barolo Monprivato | Castiglione Falletto | Nebbiolo | Calcareous, comprised of blue-gray marl of marine formation | 240-320 |
| Barolo Gabutti | Serralunga d’Alba | Nebbiolo | Calcareous-Clay Marls | 250-300 |
| Barolo Perno | Monforte d'Alba | Nebbiolo | Tufaceous with layers of red soil | 270-400 |
| Barolo Monvigliero | Verduno | Nebbiolo | Dry Marl, Tortonian | 280-320 |
| Barolo Ravera | Novello | Nebbiolo | Dry Marl, Tortonian | 420-450 |
