2008 Barolo Margheria

Serralunga d’Alba. Very dark, impenetrable ruby. Very compact and young with a minerally edge. With air, perfumed and iron. Very compact and elegant. Sweet fruit still to open up. Profoundly tannic, but very ripe and grainy. Brooding complexity. (WS)

Pira's 2008 Barolo Vigna Margheria has developed very nicely since I first tasted it in November 2011. The typical power and weight of this site comes through, but in 2008 the Margheria has an extra dimension of sexiness that makes it highly appealing. Dark cherries, plums, asphalt, melted road tar, dried rose petals and licorice are some of the many notes that come to life in the glass. The weight and tannic finish is pure Margheria, even if the 2008 isn't quite the bruiser it often is. Pira aged the Margheria in 20-hectoliter casks. This is a terrific showing.

Pira’s 2008 Barolo Vigna Margheria has developed very nicely since I first tasted it in November, 2011. The typical power and weight of this site comes through, but in 2008 the Margheria has an extra dimension of sexiness that makes it highly appealing. Dark cherries, plums, asphalt, melted road tar, dried rose petals and licorice are some of the many notes that come to life in the glass. The weight and tannic finish is pure Margheria, even if the 2008 isn’t quite the bruiser it often is. Pira aged the Margheria in 20-hectoliter casks. This is a terrific showing. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. This is an impressive set of wines from Giampaolo Pira. The wines aren’t as massive as they sometimes are, but that is just fine. I also noted that the use of oak was much more polished than in some recent vintages A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411; Robert Houde Wines, Elk Grove Village, IL; tel. (847) 430-3887