Sordo Barolo Gabutti
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Gabutti, arguably the most coveted “cru” vineyard site in all of Serralunga d’Alba, holds legendary status among lovers of Barolo for the character, power, and length that Nebbiolo produces when grown on this hallowed ground.
- Most of Sordo’s vines here are pushing 50 years in age, which means extra depth!
- From a geological standpoint Gabutti can be distinguished as belonging to the Lequio Formation with not very compact calcareous-clay marls from the Langhian Stage of the Miocene Epoch.
Varietal Composition: 100% Nebbiolo
Elaboration: The fruit is crushed/destemmed, vinification with fermentation in stainless steel temperature controlled vats with long submerged-cap maceration for 4 to 7 weeks. Natural malolactic fermentation at temperature 68° F. Storage in stainless steel for 2-4 months. After ageing 24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels, the wine then spends 5 months in stainless steel and a minimum of 6 months in the bottle before release.
Tasting Notes: Floral aromas with hints of fresh fruit and sweet spices on the palate, a quite savory, well-structured wine, with acids and tannins nicely in step; the latter stand out and tend to be sweet. It is a very ageable wine that after proper ageing acquires signs of its pedigree, great elegance, marked minerality and remarkable personality.
PRESS
2013 – 90 James Suckling | 91 Decanter | 94 Wine Spectator
2015 – 92 Wine Spectator | 92 James Suckling
2016 – 92 Wine Advocate | 93 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.
VINEYARD FLYOVER
