Sarmassa Barolo DOCG 2015
Marchesi di Barolo
Terroir: The southeast-facing Sarmassa vineyard is located on a hill with good slope. Despite the fact that the area is of Tortonian origin, there has been a significant amount of soil erosion, probably due to the steep slope of the hill. Since the erosion has been significant, the soil is calcareous and very compact. The soil is composed mainly of clay and limestone and has a very substantial percentage of stones. The high percentage of stones, combined with clay, limit the growth of Nebbiolo grape and allow the vines to react quickly to climactic variations, enabling clusters to achieve perfect ripening.
Vinification: Sarmassa is the last of the Cru’s to ripen and is usually harvested in the second ten days of October. Grapes are collected, exclusively by hand and quickly taken to the cellars for destalking and a soft pressing. The grapes then undergo a controlled fermentation in stainless steel temperature controlled tanks at steel temperature controlled tanks at 82-86°F.
Maceration of the skins lasts 10 days with regular pump-overs. The wine is racked into concrete tanks that are lined with fiberglass inside and insulated with cork where it rests at post-fermentation temperatures of 72°F and undergoes malolactic fermentation. Within two months, malolactic fermentation is complete and the wine is transferred to barrels. The wine is aged for two years, a part in Slavonian oak barrels (30 or 35 hl) and the other part in 225 L French medium-toasted oak barrique. The two parts are then blended in traditional big oak barrels and the wine completes its fining in the bottle before release.
The Barolo Sarmassa reaches maturity eight years after harvest. It continues to mature elegantly for a period of time and the between 8 and 30 years. The wine is, therefore, colorful, tannic and long-lived.
Behind the Wine: Marchesi di Barolo Sarmassa Barolo
Additional Information
Deep garnet red. Intense aroma with clean scents of wild rose, vanilla, licorice and spices. Feather the resin of pine and tobacco. Taste is full and elegant, full bodied, with tannins in evidence, with recurring olfactory sensations. Enjoyable are the spicy and woody notes that blend perfectly.
With its big structure, this wine is particularly adapted to main courses of red meats, braised dishes and game in general. An ideal accompaniment for cheeses.
Technical Details
- Appellation: Barolo DOCG
- Winemaker: Flavio Fenocchio
- Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
- Soil: Clay, Limestone
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- Ttl Acidity: 6.1g/l
- Residual Sugar: 2.5g/l
- Sizes Available: 6/750ml, 6/1.5L
- Varietals: 100% Nebbiolo
Recent Press
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Score: 92 Points
Wine Spectator Author: Bruce Sanderson
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2020"Intense aromas of rose and cherry are augmented by leather, iron and tar notes in this sleek red. Burly tannins show up on the finish, yet this plays out with good equilibrium and freshness. Best from 2023 through 2040. 250 cases imported." -
Score: 94 Points
Wine Enthusiast Author: Kerin O'Keefe
Date: Monday, November 4, 2019"Red berry and rose aromas mix with scents of forest floor and balsamic whiffs of eucalyptus on this fragrant red. Full bodied and linear, the vibrant palate shows good tension, offering ripe Marasca cherry, pomegranate, licorice and tobacco framed in firm, fine-grained tannins. It will develop even more complexity with aging. Drink 2023–2035."Grade: Cellar Selection -
Score: 94 Points
JamesSuckling.com Author: James Suckling
Date: Tuesday, June 18, 2019"A very plush and attractive Barolo that has an abundance of orange-zest aromas, as well as ripe red cherries and red plums that appear on both the nose and palate. The concentration of fruit flavor is impressive, the tannins sweep long and rich and the depth is undeniable. Drink or hold."
