By Giovanni Sordo
Perno Barolo Riserva DOCG 2006

About
Renowned the world over, this noble descendent of Nebbiolo wine has its roots in the Italian unification. Many illustrious figures bore witness to its origins, like Marchesa Giulia Falletti di Barolo, Count Cavour, and the first royalty from the House of Savoia. An austere, generous wine that is quite ageable, which is considered a merit in Italian oenology. A vineyard of exceptional value nestled in one of the finest areas of the administrative division of Perno in the municipality of Monforte d'Alba.

Technical Details
Municipality of Production: Monforte d'Alba
Grape Variety: 100% Nebbiolo
Aspect: South-east
Soil: Tufaceous with layers of red soil, not easily worked. The subsoil is primarily made up of stone and detrital rock cemented more or less tenaciously by sandy and clayey components from the Langhian Stage of the Miocene Epoch.
Training System: Upwards-trained vertical-trellised with traditional Guyot pruning
Plant Density: 4,000 plants
Cropping Level per Hectare: 68-72 ql grapes
Processing: Crushing and destemming, long submerged-cap maceration of 4-6 weeks (based on the vintage)
Vinification: In stainless steel temperature-controlled vats
Maturation: 6 months in steel vats
Ageing: 24-48 months in large Slavonian oak barrels
Characteristics: A wine with a fairly marked and bright colour and tonality. Bouquet always very rich, intense, and lingering. Sensations of great vinosity, with notes of ripe fruit, hardwood, spices, and licorice. Great inner-mouth warmth; acidity and tannicity always stand out but tend towards sweet. Very long, lingering aromatic finish and great ageing prospects.
Serving Temperature: 18-20 degrees C
Recommended Pairing: Excellent with roasts and game
[Information provided by Classic Wines]
[Information not vintage specific]

Giovanni Sordo, Perno Castiglione Falletto Riserva, Barolo 2006
Blind tasted by Stephen Brook, Nicolas Clerc MS, Aldo Fiordelli (at Decanter Magazine's April 2020 issue Barolo 2006 Panel Tasting, 11 Dec 2019)
Points: 95
Drinking Window: 2020 - 2027
Producer: Giovanni Sordo
Vintage: 2006
Wine Type: Still
Colour: Red
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmont
Appellation: Barolo
Ageing: Riserva
Sweetness: Dry
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.00%
Body: Full
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
The Giovanni Sordo estate was founded in 1912 and, with a total of 53ha of vineyards, is the only producer to vinify eight different Barolo crus. The southeast-facing vineyard is at 270m-400m on red clay and sand, vines aged 25-35 years. The family prefers to use large Slavonian oak casks to ensure the wine tastes of the terroir and is not too oaky.
Stephen Brook: Sweet intense raspberry nose, surprising charm and elegance, and only a trace of evolution. Fresh and nimble, with ample finesse.
Nicolas Clerc MS: Earthy, delicate nose, restrained chalk, flint and stony notes, forest floor, floral and complex. Tense and fresh, a subtle blend of elegance and power. Pronounced tannins, but harmonious and distinctive.
Aldo Fiordelli: Deep aromas of liquorice, wild strawberry and earthy minerality, supported by firm tannins which start to condense, good freshness, and then straw and blond tobacco on the finish. Not an easy wine due to its austerity, yet full of complexity. Very classic, with great length.