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AZIENDA AGRICOLA SORDO GIOVANNI Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG

Giovanni Rosso's Serralunga d'Alba Barolo represents the classic heart of this historic commune. Davide Rosso, who took over from his father Giovanni in the 1990s, works with old-vine Nebbiolo from key Serralunga sites, crafting wines that speak clearly of place. Fermentation occurs in concrete, with long macerations to build depth and structure, followed by extended maturation in large, neutral French oak botti to preserve purity and nuance. Each vintage shows the hallmarks of Serralunga, perfumed red cherry and rose, layered with tobacco, earth and iron. The palate combines freshness and tension with fine, persistent tannins that promise graceful ageing. It is both an introduction to and an authentic expression of one of Barolo's most powerful terroirs. A wine built for the cellar but compelling even in youth, the Giovanni Rosso Serralunga d'Alba Barolo offers pedigree and value in equal measure.

The Estate produces just 900 cases of this succulent, dark cherry and anise-scented Barbaresco. Like all of the Rocca family's Barbaresco, this is a single cru wine. It hails from a south facing, single site in a cru called Montersino (in the Treiso commune). One day it may well be labelled according to its cru. The altitude here is 310 metres and the soil is a mixture of clay and limestone. It's 100 per cent Nebbiolo of course, from another super vintage, and matured exclusively in large, 20 hectolitre, Austrian coopered Botti for two years. Succulent, pure and meticulously crafted, there is a wonderful core of dark cherry, lavender and tobacco scented fruit and fine structure to balance the fleshy texture. Nebbiolo in all its atmospheric glory.

This Cru in the commune of La Morra is located on a gently sloping hillside. The section owned by the Reverdito family produces wines which Alessandro Masnaghetti, in his guide to Barolo MGAs, defines as “warm-hearted”. These grapes produce Barolo Docg Ascheri. Garnet red with orange highlights, spicy bouquet with a hint of forest floor. Full-bodied and harmonious in the mouth, with fine tannins.

7000 bottles produced. Old vines, 60-70 years old; submerged cap fermentation in steel with maceration on the skins for about 4-5 weeks, then 18 months ageing in large barrels to obtain the spearhead of the cellar. A ready and enveloping wine like the freshness of the summer wind, changes in the glass; to follow in its evolution. Textural and complex, a wine with character. Withered flowers, ripe raspberries and lots of blueberries. Delicate tannins and tension in the mouth, elegant and well supported.

This vineyard in the commune of La Morra lies at an altitude of 370 to 450 metres above sea level. It produces fruity, elegant Barolo wines. The grapes grown in this vineyard contribute to the production of Barolo Docg Castagni. Garnet red with orange highlights. Spicy bouquet with notes of red fruits. Sapid and persistent on the palate.

Complete with well developed strawberries and cream with savoury, generous fruit. Playful and fun, solid depth and length. This is a big step up from the standard Barbaresco. The sophistication of mouthfeel, layering of tannins and flavours marking the difference.

The Barolo embarks on a rather straightforward performance initially, and the wine gains in complexity as it opens in the glass. The bouquet is elegant and tapered with wild berry, spice and licorice. It is ample in terms of mouthfeel, delivering medium texture and depth. Classic and elegant are two appropriate descriptors. ‘Alessandria's Barolo is gorgeous. Sweet dark cherry, kirsch, cinnamon, rose petal, mint and orange peel lead into a core of soft, open-knit fruit. Silky tannins and soft contours add to its overall appeal. The aromatics alone are beguiling, but it is the wine's overall balance that is most impressive of all.’ - Antonio Galloni.