Barolo GABUTTI 2011

Sordo Giovanni Barolo GABUTTI 2011 is a powerful, traditional Barolo from the prestigious Gabutti cru in Serralunga d’Alba, made from 100% Nebbiolo. The vineyard lies at approximately 250–300 metres elevation, with south-western exposure and compact limestone- and clay-rich soils. The combination of Serralunga’s naturally firm structure and Sordo’s traditional winemaking produces a Barolo with considerable depth, tannic grip and ageing potential.

The 2011 has developed a deep garnet colour with emerging orange highlights and an increasingly complex bouquet of ripe cherry, raspberry and dried redcurrant, layered with dried rose, liquorice, cedar, tobacco, tar and sweet spices. More savoury nuances of leather, earth and balsamic herbs emerge with air. On the palate it is full-bodied, warm and concentrated, with vibrant acidity and substantial, finely integrated tannins. The wine remains firmly structured, but the tannins are beginning to soften, giving the mature fruit and savoury complexity greater definition. Recent tastings continue to find the wine remarkably fresh, with dried red fruit, tobacco, undergrowth and spice.

Sordo's approach is resolutely traditional: the grapes undergo long submerged-cap maceration, followed by fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks and approximately 24 months of maturation in large Slavonian-oak barrels, with further bottle refinement. This extended élevage is particularly well suited to the powerful tannic structure of Serralunga Nebbiolo, allowing the oak to integrate while preserving the wine's mineral and savoury character.

At 15 years from vintage, the 2011 is now in a particularly interesting phase: mature enough to reveal the classic tertiary character of Barolo, yet still possessing the acidity and tannic framework to evolve further. I would consider it ready to drink now, ideally with 1–2 hours of decanting, but there is no urgency to finish it immediately if it has been well stored. Its combination of dried flowers, tobacco, tar, leather, spice and mineral depth makes it a serious, powerful and increasingly elegant Serralunga Barolo, especially compelling with truffles, braised beef, game, roasted meats, rich Piedmontese dishes and mature hard cheeses.