1978 E. Pira & Figli (Chiara Boschis) Barolo Riserva

Community Tasting Notes (4) Avg Score: 92.8 points

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  12/25/2020 - vagrantone Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Drinking beautifully now.
  Decanted about two hours prior to serving.
  It really shows those substantial tannins of the 78 vintage along with the iron/earthy notes that dominate this wine.
  This makes it a great food pairing wine. wonderful traditional style Barolo, surely rarely found today. Held up in the decanter until the next day.

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  10/6/2018 - vagrantone Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Greatly exceeded my expectations.
  I had read about supposedly funky off aromas but found no such thing. In fact, it appears to be the perfect traditional style of Barolo.
  first time drinking 40 year old Barolo from Pira, so i did not decant.
  Cork in good condition, excellent fill level.
  some browning but not excessive for Barolo after 40 years. clearly dominated by tertiary aromas but in an expected and pleasant way. A pronounced fruity aspect at that age would make no sense. More tar and iron than roses, rich powerful aromatics that develop in the glass and the open bottle. I might take the chance to decant the next bottle; especially as there is significant sediment.
  tannin structure still firm; clear indication of stem presence. The wine has probably peaked a few years ago but is still drinking beautifully. much will depend on your expectations.
  re-tasted the following day: tannins softening a little and wine still holding up...Truly built for long term cellaring

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  11/16/2011 - dcwino wrote: 91 Points

  This bottle seems more austere than the last. Tar a lot of it, iron, beef blood, charred steak, mushroom and truffle. Once again very little fruit. I wonder if this is almost identical to the last bottle consumed but I just am not in the mood for a completely tertiary Barolo. It will be good with grilled pork chop.

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  4/10/2011 - dcwino wrote: 93 Points

  After tasting so many Bordeauxs during the 10 EP, I had a major craving for an aged Barolo. As I drink more I seem to appreciate nuance over concentrated fruit. I am liking sappiness more and more. The wine shows sap, caramel, dry cherries, tar and minerality. Almost all tertiary in flavor there is very little fruit to speak of. Perhaps Bob would have called the wine past its prime, thin and insipid but this is a very enjoyable wine, especially with a simple grilled meat dish with rosemary. 93 pts

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