Sordo Giovanni Barolo Parussi 2020

Sordo Giovanni Barolo Parussi 2020 is a classic, single-vineyard Barolo from the renowned Parussi cru in the commune of Castiglione Falletto, at the heart of Piemonte. Crafted from 100% Nebbiolo, this is a wine that leans into traditional Barolo character: structure, aromatic complexity and impressive aging potential. Parussi’s privileged hillside location and Sordo’s old-school winemaking combine to deliver a Barolo that is both precise and deeply expressive of its terroir.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Barolo Parussi shows a luminous garnet core with brick-red reflections at the rim, typical of Nebbiolo even in its youth. The nose is refined and layered, offering notes of dried rose petals, violet, red cherry and wild strawberry, followed by hints of blood orange, balsamic herbs, licorice, leather and a touch of spice and underbrush. On the palate, this Barolo is elegant yet firmly structured, with finely grained tannins and a vibrant, linear acidity that drives the wine through a long, savory finish. Flavors of red cherry, cranberry and pomegranate intermingle with notes of dried herbs, tobacco, truffle and a subtle mineral edge that reflects its hillside origins. The 2020 vintage is approachable in its youth with some air, but clearly built for the cellar; it should evolve beautifully over 12–20 years, gaining complexity, tertiary notes and further textural harmony.

Production
The Parussi vineyard lies in Castiglione Falletto, one of Barolo’s most prized communes, where calcareous marl soils with layers of sandstone and clay give Nebbiolo its hallmark perfume and structure. The vines are planted on well-exposed slopes, benefiting from excellent drainage, diurnal temperature shifts and meticulous vineyard care, with hand-harvesting to ensure only perfectly ripe clusters are selected. In the cellar, Sordo follows a resolutely traditional approach: extended maceration on the skins to extract fine tannins and aroma, followed by long aging in large Slavonian oak botti, allowing the wine to develop complexity and finesse without being dominated by new oak. This minimal-intervention style aims to showcase the purity of the Parussi cru and the inherent character of Nebbiolo.

Food & Serving
This Barolo is a natural match for rich, savory dishes such as braised beef or veal, ossobuco, game birds, lamb shank, and truffle-infused risotto or tajarin pasta. Aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, Castelmagno or mature pecorino also pair beautifully with its tannic backbone and aromatic intensity. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. In its youth, decanting for 1.5–2 hours is recommended to soften the tannins and open up the bouquet; older bottles should be decanted gently and briefly, mainly to separate any sediment.

Producer
A long-established family estate in Piemonte, Sordo Giovanni is known for its deep roots in Barolo and its commitment to traditional winemaking. Based in Castiglione Falletto, the winery owns vines in several of the region’s most respected crus, including Parussi, which has helped cement Sordo’s reputation for terroir-driven Nebbiolo. Over multiple generations, the Sordo family has focused on classic Barolo: long macerations, aging in large casks and minimal adornment, allowing each vineyard to speak clearly. Today, the estate is regarded as a benchmark for authentic, ageworthy Barolo that reflects both the heritage of the region and the distinct personalities of its individual sites.