E Pira e Figli Barolo Vertical tasting with Chiara Boschis at Wine Watch

Thoughts on the matter: “I like all paintings. I always look at the paintings, good or bad, in barbershops, furniture stores, provincial hotels. I’m like a drinker who needs wine. As long as it is wine, it doesn’t matter which wine.”

Pablo Picasso
Painter

I will not take just any wine and if I have a choice on my last supper one on the wines on the table that evening will be Nebbiolo from the Piedmont.  Tonight, we have one of my favorite Piedmont producers, E. Pira and we have our good friend Chiara Boschis on hand this Monday evening! 

We will show a vertical selection of the Barolo Cannubi including all the vintages below and the current releases of the Via Nuova and Mosconi.  Wine Watch Catering’s Toni Lampasone will be making a special meal to accompany the tasting wines and we only have room for 14 Barolo lovers at this event.  The fee for this tasting is $139 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

E.Pira Tasting with Special Guest Chiara Boschis
Monday, February 6, 2017
7:00 PM

Tasting Line-up:

2010 Contratto Millesimato Brut 
Price: $28.75       Sale $25.30          Case $294

This is the Rivetti's newest project, Giorgio has always been a big fan if great Champagne and sparkling wine and there is great potential for Sparkling wine in the Piedmont, Contratto was founded in 1867 by Giuseppe Contratto and the winery is known as the oldest producer of sparkling wine in Italy. So this was a natural choice for them when the estate became available. The Millesimato Brut is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. The wine spends almost four years on the yeasts before disgorgement and is finished with a dosage of 5g/l. This wine has a nice developed bouquet of almond, white flowers, pear and apple fruit on the nose. A smooth and creamy mouse on the tongue with layers of flavors on the finish and nice freshness with good minerality showing through the finish.

1998 E Pira e Figli Barolo Cannubi Piedmont
Price: $165.00    Your Price: $145.20

(92) The 1998 has always been one of my favorite vintages-it was delicious upon release and is even more so today. It offers an intense yet delicate nose of flowers and spices followed by plenty of sweet ripe red fruit, with outstanding balance and an exquisite, inviting finish. A gem. 92 points/drink after 2006Italy Report # GX Apr 200

1999 E Pira e Figli Barolo Cannubi
Price: $165.00    Your Price: $145.20

Wow, and array of exotic spice, black cherry liqueur kirsch, smoky toasty oak, fresh bouquet of long stem roses, concentrated and rich with layers and layers of aromas. Rich, well endowed berry fruit on the tongue with a texture of velvet, echoing spice, and incense notes, a well built wine that will last for decades, this is quintessential Barolo. Finish 50+ KILLER!

2005 E Pira e Figli Barolo Cannubi
Price: $165.00    Sale Price: $139.00
Quantity in Stock: 9

(93 Points) The 2005 Barolo Cannubi comes across as decidedly fresher and more powerful than the Via Nuova, particularly in its red fruit, which shows considerable depth and richness. The wine is sweet, long and pure. Notes of menthol, herbs, and spices make an appearance on the finish but those qualities find a counterpoint in the wine’s density and richness, such that the slight herbal qualities that are present are not at all unpleasant in the wine. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020.

The always energetic Chiara Boschis is among the producers who did quite well in 2005. Boschis gave her 2005 Barolos 70% new oak, down from the 100% that was once the norm, and the wines show greater purity and integrity of fruit. Her vineyards in Cannubi, one of Barolo’s warmest sites, were well positioned (literally) to deal with the cooler vintage. In the higher-altitude, fresher Via Nuova, she took yields down a bit lower than normal to give the fruit the best chance to ripen. The proof is in the glass, and these are two exceptionally beautiful 2005 Barolos. Wine Advocate # 182, Apr 2009

2006 E Pira e Figli Barolo Cannubi Magnum
Price: $330.00    Sale Price: $279.00
Quantity in Stock: 2

2006 E Pira e Figli Barolo Cannubi
Price: $165.00    Sale Price: $139.00
Quantity in Stock: 17

(94 Points) The 2006 Barolo Cannubi exudes the warmth of this south-facing site in its open, generous bouquet. The Cannubi possesses more opulence and roundness than the firmer Via Nuova in an expansive, generous expression of dark red fruit that covers the palate from start to finish. Sweet spices and flowers add complexity on the long, round close. This is another drop-dead gorgeous Barolo from Chiara Boschis. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026.

Proprietor Chiara Boschis was in high spirits when I visited in November. Her 2009s were just finishing their malos and already seemed quite promising. In 2009 Boschis vinified fruit from a new parcel she is renting in the Conterni vineyard in Monforte. With her 2009s, Boschis also dropped the percentage of new oak barrels to 50%. It will be interesting to see the direction her wines take. Suffice it to say every Barolo I tasted from vintages 2005-2009 was exceptional. Boschis, one of Piedmont’s small, artisan growers, is a producer whose wines merit far more attention than they receive.  Wine Advocate #187, Feb 2010

2007 E Pira e Figli Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi
Price: $165.00    Sale Price: $139.00
Quantity in Stock: 27

(92 Points) The 2007 Barolo Cannubi is round, sensual and totally inviting. It is one of the most open and rewarding 2007 Baroli I have tasted thus far. I have a preference for the more vibrant Via Nuova in this vintage, but the Cannubi is a fabulous Barolo to drink now and over the next few years. The uninterrupted warmth of the year did not allow for the fruit in this due south-facing parcel to develop its full aromatics, which is the only thing that keeps the score from going higher. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2020. - The Wine Advocate

2011 E Pira e Figli Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova MAGNUM
Price: $201.75    Your Price: $177.54
Quantity in Stock: 1

Nebbiolo from clones of Michet, Lampia and Rosé grown on one of our estate vineyards, situated on the hill "Terlo" in Barolo.

2011 E Pira e Figli Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi
Price: $112.00    Your Price: $89.60
Quantity in Stock: 1

(94 points) The 2011 Barolo Cannubi is striking. Rose petals, hard candy, and sweet spices all meld together in a silky, super-expressive Barolo endowed with superb depth and persistence. A dollop of sweetness from the new French oak is evident, but overall, the 2011 is a fairly classic-feeling Barolo. The seamless, pliant finish gives the 2011 tons of near-term appeal, but there is also more than enough depth to allow the 2011 to develop beautifully in bottle for years to come. - vinousmedia.com (March 2015)  eRobertParker.com #219, Jun 2015

2011 E Pira e Figli Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi MAGNUM
Price: $231.75    Your Price: $203.94
Quantity in Stock: 1

2011 E Pira e Figli Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi
Price: $109.00    Your Price: $87.20
Quantity in Stock: 2

(95 Points)  A dark, brooding wine, the 2011 Barolo Mosconi captures the sense of this Monforte site in its intense flavors and broad, ample frame. Black cherries, savory herbs, mint, tobacco, smoke and incense all flesh out in the glass as this opulent, virile Barolo shows off its personality. While the Cannubi is purely silk and sensuality, the Mosconi is all muscle. It will therefore hold more appeal to readers who like massive, powerful Barolos. - vinousmedia.com  (March 2015)

2012 E Pira e Figli Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi (Magnum)
Price: $258.00    Your Price: $227.04
Quantity in Stock: 1

2012 E Pira e Figli Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi
Price: $125.00    Your Price: $110
Quantity in Stock: 12

(95 points) A great example of site, the 2012 Barolo Cannubi is deep, sensual and beautifully perfumed. The aromatics and pure, creamy texture of Cannubi comes through loud and clear. The Cannubi is a wine of pure texture and voluptuousness, qualities that it shows as layers of fruit blossom in all directions. A host of dark red cherry, plum, mint and spice accompany the generous, caressing finish. (AG) (3/2016) Vinous

Menu
Grilled Mushroom Carpaccio with wild herbs and lavender aioli
Braised Veal Osso Buco with vegetable risotto and natural sauce

The fee for this tasting is $139 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.

We will also be sampling all of the other wines from Chiara including the new Langhe Nebbiolo, Barbera and yes even the Dolcetto!

2013 E Pira e Figli Barbera D'alba
Price: $31.25    Your Price: $27.50               Case $319

The Barbera is ruby red in color with hints of violet.  In the bouquet it is intense and complete with scents of plum and blueberries. The palate is full with sensations of fleshy, fresh fruit and at the same time lively bright acidity.

Vines:  100% Barbera grown in the Barolo area, in the Cannubi San Lorenzo Vineyard, sheet 7 parcel 64 p; surface 1100 m; year planted 1960; 360 plants per hectare in locality Crosia, sheet 9, parcel 226; surface tot. 2600m, year planted 1987; 2300 plants per hectare.

Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels(second passage); 2-3 months aging in bottles.

Production: 3600 bottles

About E.Pira e Figli

Every wine region has its Grand Cru, its finest terroir, the place where the grape varietal that is best suited to that environment, where mother nature has put all the right pieces in place to create something exquisite.  For the Nebbiolo grape this area is know as the Langhe.  This area is to Italy what Burgundy is to France, you can even draw a few parallels between Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir.  Both are finicky varietals that need constant attention in the vineyards and are influenced by terroir seemingly more so than any other grape variety.  They are thin skinned varietals and are subject to rot if there is too much moisture and both have a very high level of natural acidity.

Barolo has a long history of wine production, the area was named some 400 years ago and probably came from the Celtic brolio or brol, meaning “wood” or “orchard”.   The region of Barolo encompasses approximately 3,000 acres of vines situated southwest of the town of Alba, in all or part of 11 communes.  First is La Morra, with nearly one-third of the total acreage.  Following in decreasing order are Serralunga d’alba, Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, and Castiglione Falletto, and parts of six other village.  One of the most famous and most sought after vineyards in Barolo is Cannubi.
There are two main valleys in the Barolo production zone: the Barolo Valley to the west, and the Serralunga Valley to the east.  La Morra and Barolo itself are the major villages in the western valley, which also encompasses Cherasco, Novello, Roddi d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto and Monforte are the major towns;  Diano d’Alba and Grinzane Cavour are also included in this district.  There are distinct characteristics that are indigenous to the wines of various area:  the wines of Serralunga Valley have suggestions of licorice and tar, the Barolos of Serralunga itself display camphor and mint;  those from Castiglione Falleto have a pronounced licorice characteristic as well as nuances of spice, mint, dried peaches, and prunes; those from Monforte recall spices, mint hazelnuts, and almonds.  The wines from the Barolo Valley bring up underbrush and truffle, as well as licorice.  Those wines from the village of Barolo have less of a licorice character but more suggestions of underbrush, truffles, and mint.  The wines of la Morra, especially those from the slopes, combine nuances of white truffle, mint, tobacco, spices, cherries, and blackberries and those from Cannubi display motes of white truffles, underbrush, raspberries, and black cherries.

One of the hottest rising stars in Barolo today is a woman, Chiara Boschis.  When Chiara stopped by the store in May of 2000, we were simply blown away by the trio of wines that she presented.  Each one of these wines got better and better.  The 1994, a difficult vintage in the Piedmont was even worthy of note, we found out later it was the only Barolo to receive the coveted “Three Glass” award from the Gambero Rosso in this difficult vintage.  The 1995 was also one of the best wines that we have tasted from this very good vintage, but the 1996 was in a word- stunning.  Here is what the Gambero Rosso had to say about E. Pira:  “Young entrepreneur Chiara Boschis, who holds a degree in Economics and Business Studies, has been running this historic, early 20th century estate in the heart of Barolo country full time since 1990.  Credit should go to Chiara for the successful relaunching of an estate whose full bodied characterful wines are today up there with the biggest names in the international wine market.  The estate adopts modern winemaking methods including brief maceration on the skins that give its products a lovely velvet smoothness.  This does not however, detract from nebbiolo’s gutsy grip, which is enhanced by the skillful made of the estate’s technology.  The quality of the grapes more than justifies the use of new barriques.  Even in difficult years, when rigorous thinning of the vines and strict selections are necessary, the structure generated by the fruit is sufficient to benefit from a sojourn in oak-remember that fabulous Barolo of ’94.  the grapes for this Barolo come exclusively from the prestigious Cannubi subzone.  Famed for the delicacy of its wine which in this vintagealso has remarkable power.  The Cannubi ’96 has swept back to reclaim its Three Glass.  The firm ruby color shades into garnet and the nose offers warm, fruit-rich notes that come through in the crisp aromas of very ripe wild berries.  Undertones of roasted coffee and cakes add to its complex allure.  The entry on the palate is full-bodied, revealing the wine’s firm texture, before it opens out to reveal generous phenols that underpin the intriguing palate and lend weight to the long finish.  Well-judges oak lingers to add a note of sweetness.”

I paid a visit to the E. Pira winery in the Piedmont (April 2004) just after Vin Italy. This tiny operation is making some incredible wines.  The Cannubi vineyard produces some of the most prized nebbiolo grown in the Piedmont and the winemaker, Chiara Boschis is one of the most talented and hard working women in the business.  I would place these among the top 10 wines made in Barolo since 1994.  Chiara oversees all aspects of production of her wines and when it is time to rack the wine, you will find the petite Chiara in the cellars moving barrels around, the locals find it amusing that some of her young male helpers find it hard to keep up with her.  Her dedication to her work shows in the wines, the 2000, 2001 and 2003 vintage wines are some of the best that I experienced on my journey to Italy in 2004. The 2003 and 2004 vintages are very different but I appreciate both of these wines from Chiara and asked for special large format bottles as these were also the two vintages of Isabella and Antonio my two children.  So I have 3 liter bottles from both vintages just waiting for the kids to reach their 21st birthday, well the 2003 may not make it but 2004 will last much longer as this is a GREAT vintage in the Piedmont.  They have experienced another unprecedented string of excellent vintages with 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and the newly released 2011 all producing outstanding wines.