Luigi Pira Barolo 'Vigna Rionda' 2018

Description

Vignarionda is one of the greatest sites in Serralunga, a natural amphitheatre facing mostly south its comprised of a classic mix of clay, marl and sand and is protected from cooling winds. Very few producers have access to this great vineyard- both Luigi Pira and Oddero have significant pieces. Vigna Rionda, in the collective imagination of many wine lovers, has become synonymous with the Barolo of Serralunga d'Alba the Barolo which is produced here can be termed even more than a Barolo of Serralunga a Barolo of Vigna Rionda, such is the imprint of the cru on this wine.' Alessandro Masnaghetti

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.

Pira's Vignarionda is made with a mixture of traditional and modern techniques - fermentation on skins for three weeks, followed by a year each of ageing in barriques then in large wood. Pira owns just 1 hectare of this grand vineyard and makes just 4,000 bottles per year.

The 2019 Barolo Vignarionda is quite sensual in its aromatic profile, but also less giving on the palate. It will be interesting to see if this softens with time in bottle. Giampaolo Pira has made notable strides with his wines. The Vignarionda remains the last nut to crack. Antonio Galloni, Vinous