2004 Barolo Vigna Rionda
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The 2004 Barolo Vigna Rionda is completely dominated by new French oak. There is no shortage of power or intensity in the glass, but then again, those aren't exactly signature of Rionda, one of the few true Holy Grails in Barolo. The 2004 may hold for another handful of years, but there is no upside from further cellaring.
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Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The Pira family began bottling their own wine only in 1995 after years of selling their grapes to other producers. Today, they have 8 hectares in Serralunga d’Alba, one of the 5 main Barolo villages. Its soil is composed of compact sandstone and clay, which produces particularly powerful and long-lived wines. Vigna Rionda – 1st production in 1997 (vines planted in 1994); 100% French oak barrels, 90% new. Already remarkably complex and heady aromas of dark fruit and spice and leather, but also a touch floral and archetypical tar notes. Massively spicy and tannins have a very firm grip at this stage, though it is beautifully proportioned. Cool, long and very fine intensity, with oak still to the fore. (JH) £575.00 ib Goedhuis
Pira's 2004 Barolo Vigna Rionda (aged in 100% new French oak) opens with captivating aromatics that lead to a silky-textured palate of ripe red fruit. This medium to full-bodied Barolo offers superb purity and delineation with finessed tannins and an extraordinary sense of harmony. It shut down quickly in the glass and will require patience, but this is a stunningly pure Rionda in the making. It's nice to see Giampaolo Pira bounce back with this gorgeous Rionda after his disappointing 2003.
Pira's 2004 Barolo Vigna Rionda (aged in 100% new French oak) opens with captivating aromatics that lead to a silky-textured palate of ripe red fruit. This medium to full-bodied Barolo offers exquisite purity and delineation with finessed tannins and an extraordinary sense of harmony. It shut down quickly in the glass and will require patience, but this is a stunningly pure Rionda in the making. It's nice to see Giampaolo Pira bounce back with this gorgeous Rionda after his disappointing 2003. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411