2007 Barolo Vigna Rionda
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
(aged in barriques, 45% new): Saturated deep, bright red. Highly complex aromas of cherry, raspberry, minerals, leather and rose petal. Sweet, silky and fine-grained, but with penetrating mineral-driven acidity energizing the flavors of red fruits, flowers and spices. The oak-driven tannns are subtle and sweet and arrive late, allowing this elegant, delicate Barolo to express itself. Pira is not in the best location of Rionda, but has clearly benefited from the warm 2007 growing season. (The estate's 2008 Barolos are scheduled to be bottled next February.)
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2007 Barolo Vigna Rionda comes across as quite understated. An open, floral bouquet leads to finely-knit fruit in this intensely perfumed, floral Barolo. This is an especially silky, refined vintage for Pira's Rionda. The oak is very well balanced, and everything about the wine speaks to harmony. Crushed rose petals, spices, raspberries, licorice and spices linger on the understated, classy finish.
The 2007 Barolo Vigna Rionda comes across as quite understated. An open, floral bouquet leads to finely-knit fruit in this intensely perfumed, floral Barolo. This is an especially silky, refined vintage for Pira’s Rionda. The oak is very well balanced, and everything about the wine speaks to harmony. Crushed rose petals, spices, raspberries, licorice and spices linger on the understated, classy finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. This is a head-spinning set of wines from Luigi Pira from top to bottom. I would be thrilled to drink any of these wines any day of the week. As always, Pira favors a style based on textural richness. At their best, the wines show an equal amount of elegance. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119
The 2007 Barolo Vigna Rionda is notable for its sweet perfume, silky tannins and expressive, layered fruit. Still, it seems the heavy use of French oak may not be especially well-suited to coaxing the full elegance and nobility this great vineyard is capable of.