Azienda Agricola Pira Luigi, Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) 2008

 This wine is from a southwest-facing cru of Serralunga d’Alba, and what is considered one of the best vineyards of the commune. The site shows in the complex aromas of sweet cherry, apple skin, and orange rind fruit complemented with leather, tar, sage, licorice, and rose floral notes. The supple sweet fruit on entry masks the muscularity of the wine until the gripping tannins and high acid emerge. The depth and concentration become evident, and the flavors match the aromas. The wine is powerful, yet elegant, and has a beautiful lingering finish of cherry and blackberry fruit, red earth, and char. This wine reflects the quality of the site and a deft hand at winemaking. Decant well ahead of drinking or hold for a dozen years.