Sarmassa Barolo DOCG 2017
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: Tuesday, November 30, 2021Floral and berry aromas lead off, with a beam of red fruit flavors framed by iron, tar and tobacco. Starts off elegant, yet flexes its muscles by the finish. Fine balance and length. Best from 2024 through 2040. 250 cases imported. -
Score: 90 Points
Wine Enthusiast Author: Kerin O'Keefe
Date: Monday, November 1, 2021French oak aromas of roasted coffee bean, coconut and vanilla lead the nose along with whiffs of violet. The aromas follow through to the austere, linear palate along with star anise, blood orange and hints of tart cranberry. Tightly wound, close-grained tannins provide the framework and grip the close. Give it a few more years to unwind, then drink. -
Score: 92 Points
The Wine Advocate Author: Monica Larner
Date: Thursday, July 8, 2021"The Marchesi di Barolo 2017 Barolo Sarmassa shows grit and power with a tightly woven bouquet and texture. Its aging regimen spans from 10 months in small wooden kegs of French oak to another 12 months in Slavonian barrique. You taste some of those woody notes, and that seems to be the theme. The wine's inner fruit follows a classic course of cherry to cassis to dried currant. Some 15,000 bottles were made." -
Score: 94 Points
JamesSuckling.com Author: James Suckling
Date: Tuesday, April 6, 2021"Aromas of tar, meat, ripe strawberry and some fruit tea follow through to a medium to full body with very fine tannins that are chewy and intense. Fresh and juicy at the finish. Better in 2023 and onwards."
