E.Pira di Chiara Boschis

Chiara Boschis di E. Pira has been busy polishing this tiny 3ha jewel of a Barolo wine estate since its purchase in 1980, following the tragic death of Luigi Pira, last in line of this historic family. It was a decade which she says saw much experimentation, not least in the Langhe; indeed Chiara was part of the drive to salvage the reputation of Barolo. And as a member of the Slow Food movement she contiues to walk the talk by recently investing a herd of cows & 20ha of mountain pasture.

The twin pillars of the (wine) estate are the vineyards Cannubi & Via Nuova. Cannubi, facing SW, is Barolo's legendary cru of which Chiara has a fair few rows, an average age of 22 years. Cannubi should not be confused with the likes of Cannubi Boschis or Cannubi Muscatel created more recently.

Her petite SSE-facing Via Nuova site located just up behind the winery was documented as far back as 1904, flanking the then new path to Novello; its vines are younger though, at 16 years. The modern vinification, carried out in a recently renovated cantina, is tightly controlled & constantly checked, with Chiara a keen analyst. Hulking rotofermentors still dominate the diminuitive cellar, though perhaps they're less frenetic than in the past. There's also less french oak now lavished on the wines, ranging from 30 - 70% new for Via Nuova to 100% for Cannubi. Approx. 800 cases of Cannubi & 400 cases of Via Nuova are produced each year.

Chiara's infectious energy, her can-do, will-do approach to life is reflected in her wines, which are constantly evolving she says, albeit incrementally. What doesn't alter, fortunately, is her staunch belief that the vineyards are sacred; a virtue which shines through in the deliciously seductive, compelling wines.
David Berry Green, BBR Buyer