Sordo Barolo Ravera
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Cru of Ravera, located in Novello, is probably the most buzzed about up and coming site in Barolo these days – Unlike most top Cru’s which are exposed South, Ravera sits Southwest, a distinct advantage in an era of global warming that results in wines that are broad and expressive while still maintaining ample acidity (Barolo from Ravera is always going to have much more acidity than wines from most other top Crus, which is saying something since we are talking about Barolo here!).
- Ravera’s soil is unusually high in iron – You’ll notice that when you taste the wine.
- The view from Ravera is one of the best in Barolo, with a clear look at the Alps.
- Sordo is clearly in good company here – The other three producers making wine from this Cru are Vietti, Scavino, and Pio Cesare.
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: Nuances of fresh fruit, small fruit, tobacco and sweet spices often join its decided vinosity. A well structured, very balanced wine in its acidity and tannicity. It keeps its vinosity as it comes round; it’s harmony, freshness, and value increase. It is a very ageable wine.
PRESS
2013 – 91 Decanter | 93 James Suckling
2015 – 93 Wine Spectator | 94 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
