2005 Barolo DOCG, Cannubi, E.Pira di Chiara Boschis, Piedmont

Following the extraordinary 2004 vintage, wines now available are the 2005, soon to be 2006, which are both good and need to be kept (8 to 10 years is a good drinking window guide, according to Boschis). Try then the sublime E Pira Barolo Cannubi 2005. It's expensive, yes, but then Barolo is like Burgundy: you need to spend money or don't bother. The magic's there or it's not.
(Victoria Moore - The Guardian - 03-Apr-2010)


What can I say? Great poise even in its youth, a whiff and lift of spirited, cherry kirsch, also of seared meat thanks to the 100% new French oak barriques; to taste, such seduction, a roll of meaty, cherry fruit, profondita that comes with great terroir, such energy & zip too...one to put aside while you savour Via Nuova. Needs another couple of years to find its stride, so probably best from 2012 till 2020? This calls for something roast, rabbit?'
(David Berry Green, BBR Buyer)

The 2005 Barolo Cannubi comes across as decidedly fresher and more powerful than the Via Nuova, particularly in its red fruit, which shows considerable depth and richness. The wine is sweet, long and pure. Notes of menthol, herbs, and spices make an appearance on the finish but those qualities find a counterpoint in the wine’s density and richness, such that the slight herbal qualities that are present are not at all unpleasant in the wine.

The always energetic Chiara Boschis is among the producers who did quite well in 2005. Boschis gave her 2005 Barolos 70% new oak, down from the 100% that was once the norm, and the wines show greater purity and integrity of fruit. Her vineyards in Cannubi, one of Barolo’s warmest sites, were well positioned (literally) to deal with the cooler vintage. In the higher-altitude, fresher Via Nuova, she took yields down a bit lower than normal to give the fruit the best chance to ripen. The proof is in the glass, and these are two exceptionally beautiful 2005 Barolos.
(Antonio Galloni - Wine Advocate - Apr 09)