"This is an especially ethereal Barolo." -Antonio Galloni
We recently tasted through Roagna's 2018s, and Pira was one of the stars.
This didn't come as a surprise. Pira is consistently one of our favorites. Still, the 2018 hits a level of clarity and agility that caught us off guard. Galloni's quote above gestures to what a graceful and aromatically beguiling vintage it is for the wine.
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While Roagna is closely associated with Barbaresco, the Barolo Pira is, along with Barbaresco Pajè, a flagship bottling.
Pira is always one of the most finessed and lifted of their collection, a quality that 2018 highlights. The Roagna family purchased the monopole site in 1989. It is endowed with vines dating back to 1937 and a fascinating soil composition of iron-rich limestone and blue and grey marls.
Roagna produced some of our favorite 2018s. They really nailed the vintage. The wines have a soaring complexity with a beautiful agility. The framing tannins hit a nice balance between silkiness and sterness.
The 2018 Pira has a radiance and a punchy dynamic energy that's thrilling. The spectrum of flavors is jaw-dropping: layered red fruits, game, earth, tar, herbs, spice, etc. Everything is delivered with exacting precision.
I'm happy to offer the 2018 Pira at very sharp pricing. This is a beautiful example of the wine that shouldn't be missed. It's become very clear that, along with Conterno, Mascarello, and Rinaldi, Roagna is a part of Piedmont's elite. Thankfully, the pricing of Roagna's wines stand out as relative values.
To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare
Crush Wine & Spirits
