May 29, 2021 - Decanted one hour before service. In the glass, dark maroon with a violet tint at the rim. On the nose, roses and other lively floral aromatics. On the palate, smooth and seductive, with a mix of expected notes (rose, tar) and unexpected (clove, raspberries). Long finish with structured but not overbearing tannins, although after three hours, the mouth puckering commenced. Barolo!
April 7, 2021 - Need more time to integrate, but will blossom into a piedmonte version of 'Musigny'
December 3, 2020 - Decanted for two and half hours. It wasn’t enough. While this has a very nice nose of rose, tar and balsamic. The palate while showing good dark fruit character remains cloaked in oak and tannin. I would let these sit for another five years and see what happens.
November 6, 2020 - On the nose quite dark, with slightly burnt rose petal. A bit of the plummy sensations of a warm vintage. In the mouth still plenty of fruit and also the tannins to keep things in check. Not at all a bad wine but lacks the elegance and clarity of a top Barolo. You could keep and hope for improvement but I really don’t believe it will get better.
October 10, 2019 - A Study of Vigna Rionda (Racines, NYC): The nose was dark and intense, showing masses of black cherry and plum with a mix of dark chocolate and green olive. On the palate, I found velvety textures, contrasting zesty acidity, as tart black fruits flooded the senses, giving way to a coating of well-rounded tannins. The finish was long, resonating on dark, dark chocolate with dried red fruits and lingering tannic oomph. Although you can sense the wood this was aged in, it’s balance kept the ‘04 Pira quite enjoyable.
September 25, 2019 - Just a stellar bottle of 04 Barolo. Dried roses and camphor on the nose. Dusty tannins coat the ripe and firm palate that is very taut and youthful. These need time. Also tons of sediment so stand up and decant the next bottle.
December 19, 2017 - Piemonte wines tasting: clear, high intensity tawny colour
clean dried cherries medium nose with acetone notes and truffles hints
intense firm tannins, high acidity, well balanced & harmonised, excellent structure and complexity, excellent long finish.
September 5, 2017 - I don't know if this bottle was flawed or if Barolo just is not to my taste. To me this wine was harsh with too much acid and drying tannin. Not much fruit. I do not drink much of it but I can't say I have ever had a memorable bottle of barolo.
September 22, 2016 - Barolo 2004 tasting (at my home): translucent red-brown
quality fine tertiary fruity earthy nose, smoked meat notes and truffles hints
med-full bodied, quality firm tannins, well structured, complexed, leather, saline-minerals, light truffles, tobacco, rich fruity flavours, long finish and aftertaste
after 24 hours: fine acetone nose; still ok on the palate, very tannic, excellent on the palate
January 30, 2016 - Tasted in a 03 – 05 vertical. Across vintages were much of the same notes of darker fruit, roses, tobacco, spices, tar and eucalyptus. However, in this case the wall of tannins started to fall apart though it would need at least 2-3 years before it could be really enjoyed. Great potential though and nose is already lovely. 92 for now with 94 potential.