Luigi Pira Barolo 'Margheria' 2019

Description

"These are some of the very best wines I have tasted from Giampaolo Pira. What an exciting range this is. Pira's straight Barolo has long been terrific, as it is once again this year. The vineyard-designated wines show plenty of the power that has long been a signature here but with a touch more classicism." Antonio Galloni, Vinous on the 2019 releases.

The Barolo Margheria comes from a single vineyard planted in 1959 that faces due south and is on the next 'finger valley' to the north of the great hill that harbours Vignarionda. Whilst Serralunga is famed for its firm structure and aromatic complexity, I find Margheria is a relatively plush and seductive style of Barolo that offers immediate drinking pleasure as well as the friendliness to age admirably.

The Pira family has been growing grapes around the hills Seralunga d'Alba for over 60 years. After selling fruit and wine to some of the biggest wineries in the region for well over 50 years, Luigis son Gianpaolo decided in the late 80s to set up a winery and start production of their own. The sheer quality of this estate is what blew us away it is the full package. Producing Barolo from 3 tiny parcels of Nebbiolo and bottling these as single vineyard wines, the Pira family has set their sights on producing classic, terroir driven wines.

The 2019 Barolo Margheria is more savory/mineral in profile than the other Barolos in the range, with less overt fruit but plenty of persistence. In recent years, Giampaolo Pira has found a way to tame the formidable tannins here, and that is very much evident in this gorgeous, expressive Barolo.