Pira/Luigi Barolo Vigna Rionda 2004

Three Glasses, Gambero Rosso: "Sound vineyard management and painstaking work in the cellar, with its new and used barriques and assorted large wood, have taken the winery into the Barolo elite. Luigi Pira obtained fine results from the great 2004 growing year. A well-earned Three Glasses went to Barolo Vigna Rionda, which matches a nose themed on an enviable harmony of sweet spices and red fruit with a full, velvet-textured palate. (2009)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "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. (Dec 2007)"