2006 E. Pira e Figli Barolo Cannubi

~ (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