Saturday 15 July 2017

A Mini Vertical Of Barolo Rocche Di Gastiglione, Giovanni Sordo

Bought these bottles recently and thought I should have a go at them to see if I wanted to order more.

Rocche di Castiglione lies both in Castiglione Falletto (88%) and in Monforte (12%). The vineyard is 16,33 ha in overall surface but only 51% is under vines.
According to Alessandro Masnaghetti, Rocche di Castiglione is "one of the most prestigious (cru´s) of the entire Barolo appellation" and even though that there are shifts in the soil composition the wines from here "share a common style based on finesse and fragrance".

Info about Giovanni Sordo here.
I have only tasted two wines from Sordo before, the 64 and 78, and especially the 78 was a great bottle of wine.
These were tasted over the course of three days.


2008 Barolo Riserva Rocche di Castiglione, Giovanni Sordo
The 08 Riserva is a ultra traditional wine, with a sturdy, sometimes grumpy character, but when you get beneath the grumpiness, there is pleasure to be had.
The nose is deep and restrained with notes of cranberries, undergrowth, rosehips, diesel oil, ski wax and old leather - there is lots going on here. And its stays pretty much the same from day to day.
The taste is taut and dry with notes of hard lingonberry candy (if there is such a thing...), roses, dry herbs, minerals and old coffee grounds. The tannins gives a good grip and support. Ends dry and fine. Very, very good in a traditional way. Will probably go on for 20+ years.
91p   (tasted 2017/07)

2010 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Giovanni Sordo
A deep, refined, old school nose with notes of dried cherries, paint, roses en masse and a hint of hot asphalt. Very fine. Evolves at a snails pace over the three days.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of dried strawberries, herbs, roses, mushrooms and dry licorice. The finish is over a minute long and displays some broad shouldered tannins. This will keep for ages, give it at least 8+ years.
92p   (tasted 2017/07)

2013 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Giovanni Sordo
The 2013 has a high, pure, deceptively light nose with notes of rosehips, sweet lingonberries, gravel and dried flowers. Energetic and fine, just in line with the vintage. Day two lots of dried wild strawberries emerge. Very, very good.
The taste is dry and balanced with notes of lingonberries, forest floor, rosehips and a hint of dry tobacco. A high, pure acidity. Very promising. Behaved principally the same over the course of three days.
91p   (tasted 2017/07)

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