2020 Giacomo Brezza Barolo Cannubi, Piedmont

The Brezza company is one of the most historic in the Barolo zone, dating back to 1885 and with the winery located in the Barolo township itself. The fruit for this wine is drawn from the famed Cannubi hill, recognised as one of the great vineyards of the appellation. It undergoes a relatively cool fermentation (around 26 °C), with 10 – 15 days maceration before ageing two years in large Slavonian oak casks.

It’s a bright garnet in colour. There’s a heady perfume of poached strawberry, plum, faded roses and baking spice, liquorice and drops of blood, intense and serious stuff. The palate shows excellent depth of flavour, the balance of fruit sweetness and savoury elements impeccable, blood orange acidity keeping things fresh and vibrant, the tannins sleek and mouth-coating. It all culminates in a long, lingering finish. This really is excellent. (Cork)

97 points Stephen Blandford therealreview.com

Giacomo Brezza Barolo Sarmassa is a highly regarded single-vineyard Barolo from the Sarmassa cru, one of Barolo’s most prestigious sites. Produced by the Brezza family, who have been crafting wines in Barolo since 1885, this wine exemplifies their dedication to traditional winemaking and respect for the region’s storied terroirs. The Sarmassa vineyard, located near the village of Barolo, is celebrated for its ability to produce powerful, complex, and long-lived Nebbiolo wines.

The Sarmassa vineyard is characterized by its steep, south-facing slopes and clay-limestone soils, which contribute to the wine’s structure, aromatic intensity, and mineral elegance. The unique microclimate of this site ensures excellent ripening conditions, resulting in Nebbiolo grapes with concentrated flavors and firm tannins.

Giacomo Brezza employs traditional winemaking methods to highlight the purity and complexity of the Sarmassa terroir. Grapes are hand-harvested and undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 24 months in large Slavonian oak casks, allowing the Nebbiolo to develop its characteristic depth and refinement without excessive oak influence. Additional aging in bottle ensures the wine achieves optimal harmony before release.

In the glass, Barolo Sarmassa displays a deep garnet color with brick-red reflections. The nose is complex and inviting, with aromas of red cherries, plums, and dried roses, interwoven with notes of leather, truffle, tobacco, and a hint of menthol. On the palate, it is full-bodied and powerful, with firm but well-integrated tannins, vibrant acidity, and flavors of dark berries, savory herbs, and earthy minerality. The finish is long and persistent, a hallmark of the Sarmassa cru’s exceptional quality.

This Barolo is a wonderful match for hearty dishes like braised beef (Brasato al Barolo), wild boar ragù, or aged cheeses such as Castelmagno or Parmigiano-Reggiano. With its robust structure, it can be enjoyed now with decanting or cellared for 15-20 years to develop additional complexity.