2012 Luigi Pira Barolo Vigna Rionda, Piedmont, Italy

The wine-making process of Barolo Vigna Rionda takes place in horizontal fermentation tanks with temperature control for 12-15 days. The wine matures over 24 moths, partly in small wooden barrels and partly in large wooden barrels. Intense garnet red colour. The nose is complex, elegant, with hues that range from wild berries to sweet tobacco and to deep and enticing balsamic notes. In the mouth this wine is rich, balanced and with an extraordinary persistence.

 Notes by Antonio Galloni

The 2012 Barolo Vigna Rionda is rich, unctuous and powerful. The ripest and most voluptuous of the 2012s, the Vigna Rionda offers notable depth and mid-palate creaminess. The flavours are bright and perfumed, but there aren't a whole of vineyard signatures at the moment. It will be interesting to see if those develop over time. The 2012 is a very nice and expressive Barolo if taken on its own terms. Drink 2017-2024. Tasted Nov 2016.