Sordo Barolo Rocche di Castiglione D.O.C.G.
The Cru of Rocche di Castiglione is situated in the south of the municipality of Castiglione Falletto near the border Monforte d’Alba.
Exposure: South-East
Altitude (masl): 320-350 m
Soil: superficially loose and then tending to calcareous
Age of the vineyard: 30-60 years
Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 30°C with long submerged cap maceration from 4 to 7 weeks. depending on the vintage. Natural malolactic fermentation at 20°C. Storage in stainless steel tanks for 2-4 months.
Maturation: 24 months in big Slavonian oak barrels.
Ageing: 4-6 months in stainless steel tanks and a minimum 6 months in the bottle.
Dark raspberry, sweet soil, baking spices, succulent fruit, powerful, black tea and perfume, so long it echoes. Subdued earthiness and crushed rock. Presence. Character. Outstanding.
96 or 97 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, October 2019.
"Liqueur-cherry aromas, ripe and sweet to sniff. Very appealing range of perfumes. A big, bold, massive wine with generous tannins that coat the entire interior of the mouth. Very concentrated and powerful, with lashings of tannins that are well-integrated. An almost opulent Barolo, if that's possible. Wonderful wine. (from Castiglione Falletto)."
97 points, The Real Review (June 2019)
"Attractive and charming aromas of potpourri and dried roses make a very elegant, floral impression with subtly leafy nuances. The palate has an elegant core of light, cherry and strawberry flavors with very elegant, long tannins. Super pure now. Give this until 2023 at least to fill out."
94 points, jamessuckling.com (June 2019)
The Azienda Agricola Giovanni Sordo is to be found in the heart of the well-known Barolo region, in the municipality of Castiglione Falletto – just a few kilometres away from Alba, in the province of Cuneo. 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 the great-father Giuseppe, but the real turn overcame with his son Giovanni who – together with his wife Maria, the real witness of the family’s story – bought several vineyards of Nebbiolo for Barolo - the Sorì in Piedmontese language – among the best in the Barolo wine district. The soil of these vineyards – a compact calcareous marl – is rich in micronutrients which – together with the unique microclimate of the Langhe region – creates a perfect environment for the growing of Nebbiolo grape. It is a vigorous and difficult grape which can give amazing wines with powerful aromas and great ageing potential.
Today the Sordo family owns 53 hectares, spread out in the municipalities of Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, Novello, La Morra, Verduno, Grinzane Cavour and Vezza d’Alba.
Sordo is unique: it is the only existing winery which can boast 8 different kinds of Barolo – the crus – whose vineyards are located in the areas of 5 different municipalities in the Barolo wine district.