La Pira Barolo Nebbiolo

More muscular than the Gallina (rightfully so!), but in no way lacking finesse. Concentrated with assertive tannins, yet so lithe and pure. On the nose, roses, incense, cherries, strawberries, eucalyptus, juniper, leather, and a touch of tar. With air, the fruits came to the forefront, popping out with such clarity. On the palate, the young Barolo tannins did seem to dominate, but under it was a really fine red fruit character that gave it such a lovely drinkability. Some minerality in the lengthy finish, though not quite as palpable as on the Gallina. WOTN for all on the table. Compared to the Gallina, I can’t quite say one was better than the other - just different Roagna interpretations of Nebbiolo.

Elegant, nicely structured but drinkable now with air. Cherries, tar, charred wood

Blood sausage, black pepper, licorice and bright, tart fruit. Needed an hour but evolved over the next six hours. No rush to drink.

Bottle was delicious from the start and perfect for a cold evening outdoors. Tar and raspberry aromatics, juicy raspberry and tart cherry on the finish. Beautiful juice showing fine now.

Day 2. High tannins. Good acidity. Well balanced.

Juicy red cherry, red plum, fresh blueberry, blackberry, game, leather, lavender, violet, rose, tobacco, barnyard/Brett, compost and stone. Elevated/high acidity with tart cherry and tomato. Grippy tannins as always, long finish, high intensity.

Beautifully constructed and classically built up, with tar, roses and mineral accents on the intriguing nose. Still tight and youthful but accessible thanks to great fruit and integrated acidity. Drink through 2025 at least. @Johan Eriksson

Robust. Rose, tar, woodsmoke, cherry (and strawberry intimations). Traditional. Red licorice. High acid, high tannin.

WNH Barolo theme.

Not having any experience with this producer, I tried a small glass at pop and pour, then decided to decant for an hour and a half. I then enjoyed the bottle over the next two hours.

I’m between a 92 and 93 here. If I had tried this blind, I think I would have taken this to left bank Bordeaux. As odd as that sounds, my reasons are mostly due to hardly any floral notes at all, and a hint of leather on the palate (with both the classic Barolo and Cabernet finish showing drying tannins). The longer this was open, the more cherry menthol notes picked up (but not in a bad way). Red currant, cherry and vanilla Pope tobacco, and underripe fleshy black cherry skin. Sporting a classically warm 2007 profile with richness and tannin, this powered through the entire evening and was best about halfway through. I’m sure it can hold many more years, but this is at a stage where the fruit is fading to the background and savory herbs, dates and fig will soon make their way to the forefront. Just depends on your preferred Barolo style. Enjoyed from a Grassl Cru glass which does a great job of accentuating the aromatics in old world wines.

Stellar. One of my favorite wines in this week's article on new Barolo releases. Super classic, but will also drink well with minimal cellaring.