As the days get shorter and colder, one must think of self-preservation. And while there is nothing we can do about the temperature outside, we can make suggestions on what to do to help protect yourself from the elements:
1. Wear a coat.
2. Don’t go outside.
3. While not outside, eat hearty stews and drink Barolo.
While #’s 1 and 2 might fall into the categories of either obvious or not possible, #3 is what we would like to highlight. And with that in mind, we present to you the wines of Luciano Pira:
One doesn’t go into a renowned area like Barolo to find something ordinary for one’s clients. We had the good fortune to find not only a top quality producer, but a like-minded one, as well, in Luciano Pira. There are no barriques in Luciano’s cellar for Barolo. He has only 8 hectares total of Dolcetto, Barbera, Barolo. He works the vine himself and has a high proportion of old vines near Serralunga and crafts traditional Barolo, with great depth and balance. Moreover, Luciano has parcels in Il Prapo and Terruzza, two of the top single vineyards around Serralunga. I personally love great Barolo and so it was easy to love Luciano Pira’s wines. – Peter Weygandt
On Saturday, January 9, between noon and 4 pm, we’ll open 5 of our flagship Piedmontese wines. In addition, all of these wines will be on sale for 25% off! For one day only, come in, taste and go home with some truly special wines at a terrific price. Just make sure you start the stew before you come into the store. The lineup:
Schiavenza Barolo 2004, Sale Price $44.99 (Regularly $58.99) – Piedmont, Italy – 100% Nebbiolo – 14.5% abv – The 2004 Barolo is a floral mid-weight Barolo with terrific delineation and clarity in its dark fruit, menthol and spices. The tannins remain a touch firm, but the wine’s balance is impeccable, particularly at this level. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. Proprietor Luciano Pira is typically among the last producers to bottle his Barolos, so these 2004s are the current releases. Incidentally, the Schiavenza family also runs an informal trattoria in the center of town that features authentic regional cooking at very fair prices. – WA 89+ points
Schiavenza Barolo Bricco Cerretta 2004, Sale Price $49.99 (Regularly $67.99) – Piedmont, Italy – 100% Nebbiolo – 14.5% abv – The 2004 Barolo Bricco Cerretta is a gorgeous wine redolent of cherries, plums, spices and minerals in a layered, delicate expression of Serralunga Nebbiolo. Sweet scents of tar, smoke and leather make an appearance on the vibrant, pure finish. This gorgeous wine from Schiavenza is more approachable today than the imposing Prapo. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Proprietor Luciano Pira is typically among the last producers to bottle his Barolos, so these 2004s are the current releases. Incidentally, the Schiavenza family also runs an informal trattoria in the center of town that features authentic regional cooking at very fair prices. – WA 92 points
Schiavenza Barolo Vigneto Bricco Cerretta 2001, Sale Price $44.99 (Regularly $59.99) – Piedmont, Italy – 100% Nebbiolo – 14% abv – Complex, intense ruby red with garnet reflections fruity, fine, ample and ripe red fruits, note of liquorice and spice. Full-bodied, fresh, lusty tannins, balanced, very long persistence. Fermented and macerated in cement for 15-20 days and aged in Slovenian barrels from 30 to 40 hectoliters for three years. Great with grilled and braised red meat as well as aged cheeses, A big wine with great aging potential.
Schiavenza Barolo Vigneto Prapo 2001, Sale Price $41.99 (Regularly $54.99) – Piedmont, Italy – 100% Nebbiolo – 14% abv – Complex, intense ruby red with garnet reflections, this Barolo has ripe fruit with hints of rose and violas. Very intense and typical for this cru. Good structure, well defined with big tannins, excellent acidity and long after taste. This is a wine with character and personality. Fermentated and macerated in cement for 15-20 days (25-30 degrees) and aged in Slovenian barrels from 20 to 40 hectoliters for three years. Perfectly suitable with red meat, game and seasoned cheese – recommended with typical Piemonte dishes.
Schiavenza Barolo Riserva 1999, Sale Price $59.99 (Regularly $79.99) – Piedmont, Italy – 100% Nebbiolo – 14% abv – Medium ruby. This Riserva is the finest wine I have tasted from this estate. It displays a fresh, floral nose that opens onto the palate, revealing highly attractive layers of sweet red fruit and toasted oak nuances with exceptional length and fine tannins. It is surprisingly medium-bodied for a wine from Serralunga in this vintage; in fact its flavors are much more typical of a Barolo from La Morra. It should drink well to age 15. Drink after 2007. – WA 92 points
