E. Pira e Figli Barolo Via Nuova 2018
E Pira e Figli is a key player in the history of Barolo. The Pira family, whose members have been vignerons for generations, started producing and bottling wine at the end of the 19th century, receiving immediate recognition for their stellar quality.
When the Pira lineage ended tragically with the death of Luigi Pira, the estate was sold to the Boschis family, of Giacomo Borgogno FigIi. Chiara Boschis took the reins in 1990 with a clear vision of what she wanted to accomplish; to marry the extraordinary power of Barolo with approachability, enticing elegance, and lush, intense aromas. She vinifies exclusively from proprietary vineyards, located in the very best crus of Barolo: Cannubi, San Lorenzo, Via Nuova and Mosconi, for a grand total of 32 acres.
Annual production is a miniscule 5,000 cases. In the time Chiara has run the estate, she has quickly become a ‘Superwoman’ in the area, as one of only a few female winemakers in the Langhe. Her wines are also no strangers to the limelight, regularly garnering high praise from international publications.
Chiara is a farmer first. As a winemaker, she is a master of balance, crafting finessed and sophisticated wines that are some of the most aromatically dynamic expressions of Barolo today.
Via Nuova (New Road) was the name of a small vineyard on the edge of the historical center of Barolo, the name coming from its proximity to the road (new at that time!) connecting Barolo to Novello. All that remains today of the road is a small walking path through the vineyards. The wine was produced as a single-vineyard Barolo for many years until, in 2010, this small Cru was incorporated into the larger Terlo subzone. And so, as a sort of homage to tradition, Barolo Via Nuova is now produced as a blend of 6 different vineyards: Terlo and Liste in Barolo, Ravera e Mosconi in Monforte d’Alba and Gabutti and Baudana in Serralunga d’Alba. This classic Barolo blend combines structure with elegance and complexity, emphasizing the particularities of each vineyard site. Though a bit timid when first opened, some time in the glass (or decanter) will reveal Via Nuova’s alluring ethereal floral and fruit perfumes.
