Luigi Pira 2020: thrilling wines & epic value

When we first visited Luigi Pira it is fair to say the estate was a diamond in the rough – incredible vineyard holdings and wines showing huge potential but maybe a few edges to be planed away.  The wines always had notable depth and power but sometimes they became a little overwhelming.

Having not tasted the 2019s, Giampaolo’s 2020s were a revelation.  Our entire group left the tasting enamoured of Barolo wines with a degree of refinement we had never seen here previously.  In 2020 the tannins are sweet, silky and fine-spun.  Nebbiolo made as though it is Grand Cru Burgundy, yet each wine utterly true to its vineyard origins.

There is no longer anything rough about these absolute gems!

Based in Serralunga d’Alba, Luigi Pira produce a range of just four wines and boast some enviable vineyard holdings.
Barolo Serralunga d’Alba is blended from fruit taken from each of the estate vineyards.  The most accessible wine of the range – the 2020 will be dangerously delicious almost from release – it is the equivalent of a village Burgundy.

Pira’s 1.5-hectares of the Margheria vineyard have always been in the family and these are their oldest vines, planted back in 1959.  This is perhaps the most elegant of the wines.

The Cru of Marenca is my personal favourite in the Luigi Pira cellar.  The vineyard name is not seen on many labels but it is responsible for a very famous and high profile wine: Gaja produces Sperrs from this vineyard, but labels it under a proprietary brand.  Marenca produces Nebbiolo of great distinction and nobility.

Vignarionda is perhaps the most celebrated vineyard in Barolo and was the source of some of the region’s greatest ever wines, made by Bruno Giacosa who lost access to the cru after 1993.  Some even refer to this site as the Romanee Conti of Barolo!

Aside from the quality of their Barolo the over-riding characteristic of Giampaolo Pira and his estate is humility.  You would struggle to find more down-to-earth and modest wine growers, and that modesty extends to extremely fair pricing – Luigi Pira offers compelling value for money.

Exciting wines, that turned the heads of our entire group, from some of the region’s greatest vineyards, and offering remarkable value: we cannot recommend the wines of Luigi Pira highly enough.

Have a fantastic weekend!
Matthew Hemming MW

The Offer:
Offered subject to remaining unsold. Available in Singapore later this year.

Barolo Serralunga d’Alba 2020
$375 per case (1×6) OC (w/ GST $408.75)
An assemblage from all the estate vineyards.  Quite tightly-wound, with aromas of violets, blossom and crisp red fruit.  Less demonstrative, but more focused and intense, than the basic Langhe Nebbiolo.  Tannins are very sweet and generous – already nearly ready to drink.  Sweet, spicy finish.  Will be highly seductive almost from release.
92/100 – Matthew Hemming MW

Barolo Margheria 2020
$480 per case (1×6) OC (w/ GST $523.20)
Planted in 1959, these are the estate’s oldest vines.  Ripe strawberry fruit with an almost sorbet quality which is stunning from a south-facing hillside that has such potential for ripeness.  Very fine-spun and silken tannins.  Extremely elegant and lifted.  Sweet, fine-grained and intense.  Wonderful clarity through the line.
94/100 – Matthew Hemming MW

Barolo Marenca 2020
$540 per case (1×6) OC (w/ GST $588.60)
This cru can produce wines of formidable structure so the wine spends first year in 500L tonneaux, 20% new, to soften the tannins.  After that it’s into traditional, older, botti like the other wines.  More floral and scented than Margheria, but also with impressive weight at its core.  Dusky, pure and delicate with a dusting of spice and pepper on the finish.
95/100 – Matthew Hemming MW

Barolo Vignarionda 2020
$720 per case (1×6) OC (w/ GST $784.80)
A regal wine, that is more structured again, characterised by spice and mineral tension.  There is an intense blackberry fruit profile and a marked spine of tannin.  The acidity is bright throughout, and there’s a smokiness on the mid-palate that nods towards the classic tar notes of Barolo.  It finishes with the corresponding roses!  Extremely fine.
95/100 – Matthew Hemming MW

Terms & Conditions
Offer ends on Friday 19th April 2024 l No further discount l Immediate payment required l Delivery fees ($32.72) waived for purchases above $500 before GST excluding airports | Cancellation of orders not allowed l Orders to be collected/delivered within 3 months upon stock availability l Offered Ex-Singapore & subject to remaining unsold​