Marchesi di Barolo : Barolo Sarmassa Limited Edition 10 Year Old 2015

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Barolo Sarmassa "Édition Limitée 10 ans" 2015 from Marchesi di Barolo

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep garnet red color with elegant ruby highlights on the edges. On the disc, the wine shows traces of lighter ruby and amber hues, indicating tertiary maturation characteristic of Nebbiolo that has benefited from extended aging.

Nose

Intensely expressive, the nose reveals distinct aromas of wild rose and floral notes, complemented by pronounced impressions of licorice. Warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg emerge, accompanied by delicate touches of pine resin and tobacco on the finish, evoking the mineral tones of Sarmassa's limestone terroir and the subtle cedar notes imparted by aging in Slavonian oak casks.

Palate

On the palate, the wine reveals itself as rich and elegant, with a full body reflecting the concentration derived from the limited yields of the Sarmassa vineyard. The tannins are remarkably firm and present without aggression, offering a balance achieved through controlled extraction and extended maturation. The flavor profile unveils notes of dark stone fruits and plums, enriched by secondary and tertiary flavors of leather and aged tobacco. Licorice provides continuity between the nose and the palate. The overall impression conveys great finesse and remarkable complexity, hallmarks of a Nebbiolo from clay-limestone terroir.

Food and wine pairing

This Barolo Sarmassa "Édition Limitée 10 ans" 2015 pairs magnificently with traditional egg pasta from the Langhe, particularly tajarin and agnolotti del plin. It also pairs perfectly with roasted meats, especially traditionally prepared lamb, as well as braised dishes such as osso buco. Game such as wild boar or venison also makes for excellent pairings. This wine also harmonizes beautifully with aged cheeses and medium-aged goat cheeses.

Serving and storage

The Barolo Sarmassa "Édition Limitée 10 ans" 2015 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2035 according to some critical recommendations, or even until 2040 according to other sources.

An exceptional Barolo from the prestigious Sarmassa cru in Piedmont

The estate

Founded in 1929 when Pietro Abbona acquired the historic cellars created by Marchesa Giulia Falletti in the early 19th century, Marchesi di Barolo embodies more than two centuries of winemaking excellence in Piedmont. Today, the estate is led by Ernesto Abbona and his wife Anna, representing the fifth generation of the family, alongside their children Valentina and Davide, who represent the sixth generation. The estate spans approximately 105 hectares managed according to sustainable practices, certified SQNPI since 2022. Marchesi di Barolo stands out for its environmental commitment, notably the complete absence of herbicides, and for the preservation of historic cellars housing barrels that once belonged to Marchesa Giulia herself, still in use today.

The vineyard

The Sarmassa vineyard is situated on a hillside in the commune of Barolo, benefiting from a southeast exposure at approximately 270 meters above sea level. The soils present a complex geological composition: although the surrounding terrain is of Tortonian origin, erosion has exposed soils with Helvetian characteristics, composed primarily of clay and limestone with a very significant proportion of stones and gravel. This composition includes approximately 15% sand, 60% silt, and 25% clay, with an active carbonate fraction of approximately 11%. The vines, approximately 50 years old, benefit from remarkable root depth and physiological maturity that impart exceptional complexity to the grapes.

The vintage

The 2015 vintage was marked by numerous climatic contrasts. After a mild winter, spring proved to be frigid, followed by a prolonged heatwave from mid-May to mid-August with exceptional sunshine and periods of drought. The saving rains of late August allowed for optimal ripening, revealing berries of remarkable generosity and balance.

Winemaking and aging

The harvest for the Barolo Sarmassa "Édition Limitée 10 ans" 2015 is carried out by hand with rigorous selection of the finest clusters directly in the vineyard. After selective destemming and gentle pressing, alcoholic fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature between 24 and 26°C. Maceration extends over 15 to 18 days with traditional rack-and-return and pumping over techniques. After fermentation, the wine rests in vitrified concrete tanks before beginning a maturation period of approximately two years. The first year is spent in small-format French oak barrels, with the proportion of new wood adjusted according to the vintage. The second year continues in large Slavonian oak casks. The wine then benefits from at least one additional year of bottle rest before release, totaling approximately ten years of aging.

Grape variety

100% Nebbiolo