E. Pira of Chiara Boschis
From a visit in March 2024
As most of you know, I do have a strong preference for traditionally produced wines. I also make exceptions, and one in Barolo, really the only one, are the exceptional wines produced by Chiara Boschis. One of the original “Barolo Boys”, so to speak, Chiara’s wines have consistently moved closer to me palate preference, and they have always strived for elegance and freshness, two of the most important markers for great Barolo. Here Dolcetto has always been a favorite as well!
If you haven’t met Chiara you would be in for a bit of a shock upon meeting her. She is tireless, that is not an exaggeration. Whether it was pushing the entire region toward organic farming, rebuilding the Pira winery purchased by her family for her when she was barely an adult, revitalizing a producer of Castelmagno cheese, or just expounding on the little improvement she strives to achieve with every vintage, she speaks quickly, forcefully, and powerfully, though almost ending with a laugh and a smile.
People say they can be objective when tasting wine, and in a blind tasting I have no doubt that this is easily attained, however I would be lying if I said that my personal feelings for Chiara have no impact on my thoughts about her wine. At a minimum those feelings of camaraderie have brought be back to Chiara for almost 20 years now, a span of time that has seen such great changes, and as mentioned previously, improvement to the wines as measured by my palate.
I include below some photos of Chiara’s vineyard taken in April of 2023 during the great drought. If you need any additional evidence that what she has done with her land is the way forward you will never be convinced that intelligent organic farming is where producers in Piemonte need to be,
As far as the wines go, this year’s line-up is about as good as I have had here. The wood treatment for Barolo is now two years in barrique, 10% new, which Chiara said she is planning to continue. It does mark the wine with some wood, but a gentle note, appealing to some and certain to integrate well after only a few years int he cellar.
2023 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Dolcetto d’Alba
Aged in stainless steel
Bottled with the moon of March
So raw its almost smoky, deep fruit, fresh and concentrated, bright, so vivid and intense on the palate, lively juicy style, it’s still suffering from the bottling and youth, as it’s compressed and crunchy, the backend shows emerging violet, plum and a hint of almond flavor leading to a clean finish. Fresh and precise in a playful style that is painfully young. Tight and vaguely dusty on the finish. 86-88pts with potential on the upside, there’s a stickiness to the fruit that bodes well for the future
2022 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Dolcetto d;Alba
A bit of CO2 on the nose, fresh, crunchy, meadow flowers and herbs, herbal extract very pretty and perfumed, and wide open. Juicy and finely textured, with a bright and silky texture, lot of mineral framing notes, easy drinking but not banal, lovely blend of fruit, savory nature and crisp little tannic structure, so juicy and gently fruity on the finish, classic Dolcetto, fresh, easy mouth cleansing. 91pts
2022 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barbera d’Alba
One year of aging in barrique
Dark, savory, beef jerky, a touch of oak, gentle with a touch of florality on the nose. Very fresh on entry, smaller scaled and slightly dense but transparent and fresh, with so much fruit early on the palate. A clean, fresh style, a bit of stony minerality on the backend, good follow through, juicy with a hint of pomegranate contributing fruitiness to the finish, which shows just a touch of powdery tannin. So well done, such a harmonious mouthful of wine, sliced fruit, assertive but balanced acidity, clean fresh lifted finish, delicious, vibrant and resonant. 92pts
2021 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barbera d’Alba
Riper than the 2022, dark plummy fruit, dark blackberry, another year tames the fruitiness, lends the gentle complexity of aging, and shows a touch more of an oak imprint, Broad and less tense but not less bright, plenty of acid but riper fruit here great minerality and cut to this, there’s more of everything, certainly fairly broad with lots of bright cherry-berry fruit where this reveals its freshness. The nose and entry are a bit darker and larger scaled, then energy, cut, and vertically emerge in the mouth, a touch better than the 2022 93pts
2022 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo
One year of aging in barrique
Very pure red nebbiolo fruit on the nose, there’s a base note of sweetness here, blood orange, lilac, good intensity, a touch of oak, but real purity to the fruit, Has an appropriate layer fruit, there’s terrific tension and tannin here, but it remains a vibrant, faceted example of nebbiolo with great length, a touch of rosehip and lipstick emerges on the nose. So vibrant with great energy in the mouth, has a touch of wood tannin that is very soft but that it could do without, has a bitter orange oil tone to the backend, but the tannin is a fine contrast to the fruitiness of the wine, succulent, 93pts
2021 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo
Again, another year is super obvious on the nose with more woodsy tones, the beef jerky of oak, and dark, spicy fruit. The entry shows the power of the fruit here, it’s a real mouthful of nebbiolo, a touch balsamic and woodsy across the palate, shows a density the 2022 doesn’t, with more firm tannins inherently, there’s a richness to the fruit here, fairly front loaded with a brisk cleansing finish, it’s just too much for my palate when I could have the 2022 instead. 91pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi
So fine, rose petal, sweet Meyer lemon top notes, peony, lots of citrus backing notes, Light on the palate with a lovely texture, so fine and silky and transparent, this is so easy to drink, it’s upright and firm, gently austere, with gauzy red and white cherry fruit tannins are ripe but gently austere, good length with a hint of spice on the finish, classic grace, elegance, and finesse, I Love Cannubi and this is a fine example, it’s all about subtlety and nuance with a refreshing blend of acids and fine grained tannins. If you don’t pay attention this is playful and delicious, when you pay attention especially if you understand the cru, it reveals its nuance and terroir. Just a touch short but time will lend length, 94pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova
Briary, oily herbs, dark fruit, sandy soils, with gorgeous blend of candied fruit and dark floral notes on the nose. There’s subtle power here, deep ripe fruit, a touch of herbal wash, a little nuttiness, the soil impression is so different here, more clay on the palate, lending chew and a dryness to the palate With lots of dark cherry fruit, the finish is fairly tannic, still succulent and fruit driven with pomegranate accents, the most typical of the line-up, classic Barolo that meets expectations, this absorbs the oak very well and in that sense is better than the Cannubi, but it lacks some of the elegance found there. 93pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi
A bit sandy on the nose, lots of braised herbal notes, a dark, wilder berry fruit, and the beef jerky tone of oak on the nose, very fragrant, Lots of power here, firm tannins, a bit of chew here, deep dark, even briaryier, and much more towards the savory herbal side of things, Tannins are powerful and persistent, it has some sweetness but this is really a powerful assertive wine with some tree bark and medicinal tones emerging on the lengthening finish. Really has much more of an old school feel to it, the richness and fruit tannins here really allow this absorb both the new oak aromas and tannins fairly effortlessly, 93pts
As most of you know, I do have a strong preference for traditionally produced wines. I also make exceptions, and one in Barolo, really the only one, are the exceptional wines produced by Chiara Boschis. One of the original “Barolo Boys”, so to speak, Chiara’s wines have consistently moved closer to me palate preference, and they have always strived for elegance and freshness, two of the most important markers for great Barolo. Here Dolcetto has always been a favorite as well!
If you haven’t met Chiara you would be in for a bit of a shock upon meeting her. She is tireless, that is not an exaggeration. Whether it was pushing the entire region toward organic farming, rebuilding the Pira winery purchased by her family for her when she was barely an adult, revitalizing a producer of Castelmagno cheese, or just expounding on the little improvement she strives to achieve with every vintage, she speaks quickly, forcefully, and powerfully, though almost ending with a laugh and a smile.
People say they can be objective when tasting wine, and in a blind tasting I have no doubt that this is easily attained, however I would be lying if I said that my personal feelings for Chiara have no impact on my thoughts about her wine. At a minimum those feelings of camaraderie have brought be back to Chiara for almost 20 years now, a span of time that has seen such great changes, and as mentioned previously, improvement to the wines as measured by my palate.
I include below some photos of Chiara’s vineyard taken in April of 2023 during the great drought. If you need any additional evidence that what she has done with her land is the way forward you will never be convinced that intelligent organic farming is where producers in Piemonte need to be,
As far as the wines go, this year’s line-up is about as good as I have had here. The wood treatment for Barolo is now two years in barrique, 10% new, which Chiara said she is planning to continue. It does mark the wine with some wood, but a gentle note, appealing to some and certain to integrate well after only a few years int he cellar.
2023 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Dolcetto d’Alba
Aged in stainless steel
Bottled with the moon of March
So raw its almost smoky, deep fruit, fresh and concentrated, bright, so vivid and intense on the palate, lively juicy style, it’s still suffering from the bottling and youth, as it’s compressed and crunchy, the backend shows emerging violet, plum and a hint of almond flavor leading to a clean finish. Fresh and precise in a playful style that is painfully young. Tight and vaguely dusty on the finish. 86-88pts with potential on the upside, there’s a stickiness to the fruit that bodes well for the future
2022 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Dolcetto d;Alba
A bit of CO2 on the nose, fresh, crunchy, meadow flowers and herbs, herbal extract very pretty and perfumed, and wide open. Juicy and finely textured, with a bright and silky texture, lot of mineral framing notes, easy drinking but not banal, lovely blend of fruit, savory nature and crisp little tannic structure, so juicy and gently fruity on the finish, classic Dolcetto, fresh, easy mouth cleansing. 91pts
2022 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barbera d’Alba
One year of aging in barrique
Dark, savory, beef jerky, a touch of oak, gentle with a touch of florality on the nose. Very fresh on entry, smaller scaled and slightly dense but transparent and fresh, with so much fruit early on the palate. A clean, fresh style, a bit of stony minerality on the backend, good follow through, juicy with a hint of pomegranate contributing fruitiness to the finish, which shows just a touch of powdery tannin. So well done, such a harmonious mouthful of wine, sliced fruit, assertive but balanced acidity, clean fresh lifted finish, delicious, vibrant and resonant. 92pts
2021 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barbera d’Alba
Riper than the 2022, dark plummy fruit, dark blackberry, another year tames the fruitiness, lends the gentle complexity of aging, and shows a touch more of an oak imprint, Broad and less tense but not less bright, plenty of acid but riper fruit here great minerality and cut to this, there’s more of everything, certainly fairly broad with lots of bright cherry-berry fruit where this reveals its freshness. The nose and entry are a bit darker and larger scaled, then energy, cut, and vertically emerge in the mouth, a touch better than the 2022 93pts
2022 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo
One year of aging in barrique
Very pure red nebbiolo fruit on the nose, there’s a base note of sweetness here, blood orange, lilac, good intensity, a touch of oak, but real purity to the fruit, Has an appropriate layer fruit, there’s terrific tension and tannin here, but it remains a vibrant, faceted example of nebbiolo with great length, a touch of rosehip and lipstick emerges on the nose. So vibrant with great energy in the mouth, has a touch of wood tannin that is very soft but that it could do without, has a bitter orange oil tone to the backend, but the tannin is a fine contrast to the fruitiness of the wine, succulent, 93pts
2021 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo
Again, another year is super obvious on the nose with more woodsy tones, the beef jerky of oak, and dark, spicy fruit. The entry shows the power of the fruit here, it’s a real mouthful of nebbiolo, a touch balsamic and woodsy across the palate, shows a density the 2022 doesn’t, with more firm tannins inherently, there’s a richness to the fruit here, fairly front loaded with a brisk cleansing finish, it’s just too much for my palate when I could have the 2022 instead. 91pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi
So fine, rose petal, sweet Meyer lemon top notes, peony, lots of citrus backing notes, Light on the palate with a lovely texture, so fine and silky and transparent, this is so easy to drink, it’s upright and firm, gently austere, with gauzy red and white cherry fruit tannins are ripe but gently austere, good length with a hint of spice on the finish, classic grace, elegance, and finesse, I Love Cannubi and this is a fine example, it’s all about subtlety and nuance with a refreshing blend of acids and fine grained tannins. If you don’t pay attention this is playful and delicious, when you pay attention especially if you understand the cru, it reveals its nuance and terroir. Just a touch short but time will lend length, 94pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova
Briary, oily herbs, dark fruit, sandy soils, with gorgeous blend of candied fruit and dark floral notes on the nose. There’s subtle power here, deep ripe fruit, a touch of herbal wash, a little nuttiness, the soil impression is so different here, more clay on the palate, lending chew and a dryness to the palate With lots of dark cherry fruit, the finish is fairly tannic, still succulent and fruit driven with pomegranate accents, the most typical of the line-up, classic Barolo that meets expectations, this absorbs the oak very well and in that sense is better than the Cannubi, but it lacks some of the elegance found there. 93pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi
A bit sandy on the nose, lots of braised herbal notes, a dark, wilder berry fruit, and the beef jerky tone of oak on the nose, very fragrant, Lots of power here, firm tannins, a bit of chew here, deep dark, even briaryier, and much more towards the savory herbal side of things, Tannins are powerful and persistent, it has some sweetness but this is really a powerful assertive wine with some tree bark and medicinal tones emerging on the lengthening finish. Really has much more of an old school feel to it, the richness and fruit tannins here really allow this absorb both the new oak aromas and tannins fairly effortlessly, 93pts
 And away we go.
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Chiara's organically farmed vineyards in full bloom in the middle of one of the region's most severe droughts.
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It is easy to differentiate Chiara's vineyards from everyone else's. Stunning work.
From a visit in April 2023
2022 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Dolcetto d’Alba
So aromatic and bright, pomegranate, spicy circus notes, but dark, earthy and balsamic at the same time. Chewy bright and vibrant in the mouth, tons of acid, soft ripe tannins, fresh if slightly chewy in the mouth, A bit of plump, plummy, angular blue fruit on the backend leads to a long chewy finish, with great dark cherry fruit. 91pts
2021 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barbera d’Alba Superiore
Super fresh, deep, black cherry but lots of herbal and sweet, moist earth tones, lovely detailed fruit notes, lively rich but super elegant and integrated Barbera with, lots of purple fruit, a juicy, long palate cleansing finish, great acids paired with a great purity of fresh fruit, lovely freshness. 92pts
2021 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo
First vintage without Rose clone
Recently bottled so the nose is a bit disjointed, though this exhibits lovely, elegant, and fine rose petal, licorice, lingonberry jam aromas with air. Linear, slightly austere, slightly chewy, deep and slightly balsamic, with lovely tannic drive, and sour cherry fruit. 90pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo
Still retain rose clone
So effortless, just want to drink it
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi
Sweet red fruit very cherried nose, has a nuance of oak spice, rose petals, very fine with a slight orange peel accent note, Transparent on the palate, fine and deep with great inner mouth perfumes of ripe fruit and rose petals supported by noble tannins. Another wine that obviously is more on the elegant side of the scale. Super fine, the tannins are so lithe and fine grained, sour cherry fruit reemerges on the finish. 93pts
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi
Minty, earthy and gently herbal with a dark fruit profile. Just a gorgeous nose, so deep and complex, a bit rougher on the palate, dryer and richer in tannins, a fabulous soil impression here, clay and limestone, you can taste them broader and so much more muscular than the Cannubi, chewy with terrific energy and pinpoint balance, what a wine. Mosconi has rarely been my favorite of the line-up but this is a winner. 95pts
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova
More herbal and earthy almost medicinal on the nose, so very Monforte/Serralunga. Four square in the mouth with cruder tannins but less tannic than the Mosconi, a bit front loaded with fruit and fading a bit on the finish. Thinner fruit that exhibits lovely precision of cherry fruit, a real sense of delicacy with the dark nature of Monforte, less tannin but slightly greener tannin. 92pts
2018 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova
More licorice and medicinally herbal, open tense and finely balanced, this is lovely, its a touch dilute but ripe and complex and so perfumed in the mouth. Long with crisp tannins. 89pts
2022 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Dolcetto d’Alba
So aromatic and bright, pomegranate, spicy circus notes, but dark, earthy and balsamic at the same time. Chewy bright and vibrant in the mouth, tons of acid, soft ripe tannins, fresh if slightly chewy in the mouth, A bit of plump, plummy, angular blue fruit on the backend leads to a long chewy finish, with great dark cherry fruit. 91pts
2021 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barbera d’Alba Superiore
Super fresh, deep, black cherry but lots of herbal and sweet, moist earth tones, lovely detailed fruit notes, lively rich but super elegant and integrated Barbera with, lots of purple fruit, a juicy, long palate cleansing finish, great acids paired with a great purity of fresh fruit, lovely freshness. 92pts
2021 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo
First vintage without Rose clone
Recently bottled so the nose is a bit disjointed, though this exhibits lovely, elegant, and fine rose petal, licorice, lingonberry jam aromas with air. Linear, slightly austere, slightly chewy, deep and slightly balsamic, with lovely tannic drive, and sour cherry fruit. 90pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo
Still retain rose clone
So effortless, just want to drink it
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi
Sweet red fruit very cherried nose, has a nuance of oak spice, rose petals, very fine with a slight orange peel accent note, Transparent on the palate, fine and deep with great inner mouth perfumes of ripe fruit and rose petals supported by noble tannins. Another wine that obviously is more on the elegant side of the scale. Super fine, the tannins are so lithe and fine grained, sour cherry fruit reemerges on the finish. 93pts
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi
Minty, earthy and gently herbal with a dark fruit profile. Just a gorgeous nose, so deep and complex, a bit rougher on the palate, dryer and richer in tannins, a fabulous soil impression here, clay and limestone, you can taste them broader and so much more muscular than the Cannubi, chewy with terrific energy and pinpoint balance, what a wine. Mosconi has rarely been my favorite of the line-up but this is a winner. 95pts
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova
More herbal and earthy almost medicinal on the nose, so very Monforte/Serralunga. Four square in the mouth with cruder tannins but less tannic than the Mosconi, a bit front loaded with fruit and fading a bit on the finish. Thinner fruit that exhibits lovely precision of cherry fruit, a real sense of delicacy with the dark nature of Monforte, less tannin but slightly greener tannin. 92pts
2018 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova
More licorice and medicinally herbal, open tense and finely balanced, this is lovely, its a touch dilute but ripe and complex and so perfumed in the mouth. Long with crisp tannins. 89pts
Visit of 10/25/2022
2021 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Dolcetto D’Alba 13%
Really purple color
So floral and fresh, raspberry, dusty earthiness, great nose. Bright, juicy, light playful style of wine that is just joyous to drink. Clean and long with wild cherry fruit. Real energy on the palate. Lovely table wine, not with ambitions but just right the way it is. Finishes with a bit of citrus acidity. 90pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barbera D’alba Superior
One year in barrique
Nice paler color. Slightly earthy, plum and black cherry skin. A lovely ivy spice note. Real richness, elegance, very finely textured, lots of fruit, a bit straightforward but so juicy and fruit driven. Long, almost velvety. Gorgeous purity. Wow this is rich with elegant fruit. 91pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo
Coste Ravera Mosconi only not bio wine, 30% rose clone
Stunning nose, intense icy cool, menthol, dried flowers, raspberry, red frutti di boschi fruit. Elegant, rich, silky, deep fruit.This is gorgeous so rich pure and vibrant, So much energy and cut, drive energy. Clean spiced red apple and crisp berry fruit. 92pts
2018 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi 14%
Very Cannubi, the oak is slightly more evident slightly autumnal, jammy frutti del boschi, sweet, savory and rose petal. Pretty rich, intensely aromatic in the mouth, rich with pure cherry fruit, sweet and elegant, There’s real depth here, salty, mineral earthy, Tannins are so supple, good supporting acidity. Complete, if a little small. Tannins grow in nthe mouth, really terrific Cannubi. 93pts
2018 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova 14%
More earthy, sweet cooked dates, dark red clay Real richness here, edgy clear fruit small red cherry, elegant, long, more tannin and earth than the Cannubi, Juicy, small scaled and more complex than the Cannubi but at the same time, it is a little less energetic than the Cannubi. 92pts
2018 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi 14.5%
A wild nose, spicier in the herbal range, there wood here is a bit evident. Masculine cologne, musky, dark fruit. Rich, more aggressive tannins but also more sweetness, not my favorite but probably the best of the bunch, the least 2018. Tight and soil driven on the backend and through the finish. Lovely wine, gorgeous elegance. 94pts
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi 14%
Sweet red fruit, sweet flowers, slightly smoky, just gorgeous nuanced accents, Incredible nuance in the mouth, so fresh, so fragrant in the mouth, long and so fine. Just stunning so finely textured delicate and complex. Great depth, pinpoint focus, juicy seductive. I could drink this all day. 95pts
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Vi Nuovo 14.5%
A bit of seaweed and iodine on the nose, seaside beach. Wet clay, Richer, juicy superb tannin maturity, rich cherry fruit, lacks the vividness of the Cannubi, long, tart red cherry fruit, This is terrific, much more typical with it’s richness from Monforte, and power from Serralunga, in fact this finishes very Serralunga like. The fruit gains a hint of darkness on the backend. Really good stuff. 94pts
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi
Masculine, Juicy spicy dark fruit, persimmon and pomegranate, blue slate, blue clay, Blue fruit up front, tight little tannins, chewy, powerful, here the wood is well integrated, it’s spicy and floral in the mouth. This gains power through the palate and closes up a bit on the backend and through the finish. Gorgeous pomegranate and blood orange fruit. There’s terrific depth to this and tremendous power here. Deep menthol accents here. Just terrific but has a little less vividness than the Cannubi. 94pts
2021 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Dolcetto D’Alba 13%
Really purple color
So floral and fresh, raspberry, dusty earthiness, great nose. Bright, juicy, light playful style of wine that is just joyous to drink. Clean and long with wild cherry fruit. Real energy on the palate. Lovely table wine, not with ambitions but just right the way it is. Finishes with a bit of citrus acidity. 90pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barbera D’alba Superior
One year in barrique
Nice paler color. Slightly earthy, plum and black cherry skin. A lovely ivy spice note. Real richness, elegance, very finely textured, lots of fruit, a bit straightforward but so juicy and fruit driven. Long, almost velvety. Gorgeous purity. Wow this is rich with elegant fruit. 91pts
2020 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo
Coste Ravera Mosconi only not bio wine, 30% rose clone
Stunning nose, intense icy cool, menthol, dried flowers, raspberry, red frutti di boschi fruit. Elegant, rich, silky, deep fruit.This is gorgeous so rich pure and vibrant, So much energy and cut, drive energy. Clean spiced red apple and crisp berry fruit. 92pts
2018 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi 14%
Very Cannubi, the oak is slightly more evident slightly autumnal, jammy frutti del boschi, sweet, savory and rose petal. Pretty rich, intensely aromatic in the mouth, rich with pure cherry fruit, sweet and elegant, There’s real depth here, salty, mineral earthy, Tannins are so supple, good supporting acidity. Complete, if a little small. Tannins grow in nthe mouth, really terrific Cannubi. 93pts
2018 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova 14%
More earthy, sweet cooked dates, dark red clay Real richness here, edgy clear fruit small red cherry, elegant, long, more tannin and earth than the Cannubi, Juicy, small scaled and more complex than the Cannubi but at the same time, it is a little less energetic than the Cannubi. 92pts
2018 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi 14.5%
A wild nose, spicier in the herbal range, there wood here is a bit evident. Masculine cologne, musky, dark fruit. Rich, more aggressive tannins but also more sweetness, not my favorite but probably the best of the bunch, the least 2018. Tight and soil driven on the backend and through the finish. Lovely wine, gorgeous elegance. 94pts
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi 14%
Sweet red fruit, sweet flowers, slightly smoky, just gorgeous nuanced accents, Incredible nuance in the mouth, so fresh, so fragrant in the mouth, long and so fine. Just stunning so finely textured delicate and complex. Great depth, pinpoint focus, juicy seductive. I could drink this all day. 95pts
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Vi Nuovo 14.5%
A bit of seaweed and iodine on the nose, seaside beach. Wet clay, Richer, juicy superb tannin maturity, rich cherry fruit, lacks the vividness of the Cannubi, long, tart red cherry fruit, This is terrific, much more typical with it’s richness from Monforte, and power from Serralunga, in fact this finishes very Serralunga like. The fruit gains a hint of darkness on the backend. Really good stuff. 94pts
2019 E. Pira - Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi
Masculine, Juicy spicy dark fruit, persimmon and pomegranate, blue slate, blue clay, Blue fruit up front, tight little tannins, chewy, powerful, here the wood is well integrated, it’s spicy and floral in the mouth. This gains power through the palate and closes up a bit on the backend and through the finish. Gorgeous pomegranate and blood orange fruit. There’s terrific depth to this and tremendous power here. Deep menthol accents here. Just terrific but has a little less vividness than the Cannubi. 94pts
From an on site visit May 2017
As many of you know I am no fan of new wood on Nebbiolo. I feel it obscures more than it adds, yet there are a handful of producers who manage to bottle something that both smells of new oak and retains the appeal of nebbiolo. Chiara is one of these people, a real pioneer in Piemonte. A strong woman managing the rocky waters of the Barolo revolution, there is something that just ,makes you want to love her wines. And I do love here wines, even if I think they would be even better without the new oak!
The Dolcetto might be the base of my love as its light and fresh and what the market needs. But one can’t ignore the respect for terroir that is revealed in the three distinct expression of Barolo. All undergo the same vinification, and yet they reveal such different personalities that you know that Chiara is doing her best to allow them to speak. There is a huge market for Barolo with oak flavors and within that genre of Barolo I know of no better producer.
2016 Chiara Boschis Dolcetto d'Alba 13%
Fruity and floral but with a sweet overlay, this is very fresh and complex very perfumey with a big lilac tone along with lots of soapy floral aromas. Acid drives a thin layer of richness across the palate. A lusty wine really rich in fruit in the mouth though remaining tense and impressively vibrant, with nice tannins on the finish laced with violets and hints of bitter almond. Very nice with a gentle richness on the backend that flows through the finish. A lovely fruit driven fresh dolcetto. 91pts
2015 Chiara Boschis Barbera d'Alba Superiore 14.5%
From 2010 reintroduced in 2000 l barrels, in the future might use
This is a study in the graphite and ivy aromatics of Barbera that gain a hint of underlying sweetness to the nose along with a whiff of oak. Again a touch rich, this has a fine wrap of fruit over a linear and tense structure, offering an extract of Barbera on the palate and showing super length. Vibrant, rich, yet transparent and remarkably supple with tons of sweet black fruit all underpinned by important acids. There's real Barbera cut here, there's also a nice mineral accent that adds salinity to the very long fruit driven finish. A great Barbera Superiore. 93pts
2015 Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo 14%
A plot in Le Coste and plot in Mosconi that was just replanted, 30% rose clone
Nose smells a bit of raw oak, underneath one finds a fine sweet purple fruit core with real astringent character and assertive floral, rose bud top notes. The oak is a bit too dominant today. Rich in the mouth, medium plus bodied with a roundness to the lovely, juicy core of cherry and wild grape fruity that reveals a slightly foxy edge. This remains transparent and long with great palate feel though I am not convinced by the nose, but the palate is great, fresh, slightly fleshy and long with a gentleness and elegance on the finish where there's a hint of wood tannin here as well but not distracting. There’s plenty of fruit that is covering the tannins and oak on the palate. 91pts
2013 Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi 14%
So sexy it's the amuse bouche, PNP
A bit musky with dark fruit cocktail on the nose over sandy soil base notes. The oak is moderately prominent here. Absolutely silky in the mouth, with the wood notes offering a base of spice. Tannins are so fine and ripe with seamless integration. The finish is very rich in limestone, lending length, and helping to bring the fruit into fine focus. And yes the wood tannins are there, but not terribly conspicuous and one can see how they will melt into this firm, austere, and elegant wine. Rose petal aromas lend nuance and elegance on the finale. This has classic Cannubi austerity and really fine balance. 94pts
2013 Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova 14%
Pnp
Body of monforte, nerves of Serrralunga an finesse and elegane of barolo
Six plots, liste, terlo, for fruit and elegance, Serralunga energy and tannins, gabbuti, baudana, in lease, monforte mosconi in two plots, the single vineyard is done from the plots under the vineyards, and Ravera di monforte
An earthier expression of Barolo with hints of moss and medical minerality, this seems to be able to absorb the oak a bit more completely, hidden as it is beneath candied dark cherry fruit, camphor and dark rose buds aromas that are bordering on tobacco. Round, yet bright up front, this delivers a wave of sweet dark red fruit to the palate, followed by by a dark mineral note on the midpalate with a late arrival of brewed herbs. Almost a bit chewy, the tannins are very tightly packed yet very finely textured with juicy acids lending this real brightness notwithstanding the bold, dark fruit. A bit rocky, rich and angular in the mouth and through the fairly long finish with lots of jammy cranberry fruit on the finale. 93pts
2013 Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi 14%
Pnp
Most baroque wine of the three
Lots of oak perfume on the nose, along with lots of dark herb notes laid over fruit that shows signs of prune and roasted strawberry. This is a bit matte in the mouth, there's plenty of acid but less energy than the two previous wines. Rich with tannins and almost luscious fruit, remaining fairly tannic through the backend.. There’s no doubt that the site is responsible for the dark muscularity here, and the dark cherry fruit along with nice inner mouth perfumes on the midpalate, but the wood really contributes to the masculine nature here. Long and fine, though wood tannin does emerge on the finish. 91pts
As many of you know I am no fan of new wood on Nebbiolo. I feel it obscures more than it adds, yet there are a handful of producers who manage to bottle something that both smells of new oak and retains the appeal of nebbiolo. Chiara is one of these people, a real pioneer in Piemonte. A strong woman managing the rocky waters of the Barolo revolution, there is something that just ,makes you want to love her wines. And I do love here wines, even if I think they would be even better without the new oak!
The Dolcetto might be the base of my love as its light and fresh and what the market needs. But one can’t ignore the respect for terroir that is revealed in the three distinct expression of Barolo. All undergo the same vinification, and yet they reveal such different personalities that you know that Chiara is doing her best to allow them to speak. There is a huge market for Barolo with oak flavors and within that genre of Barolo I know of no better producer.
2016 Chiara Boschis Dolcetto d'Alba 13%
Fruity and floral but with a sweet overlay, this is very fresh and complex very perfumey with a big lilac tone along with lots of soapy floral aromas. Acid drives a thin layer of richness across the palate. A lusty wine really rich in fruit in the mouth though remaining tense and impressively vibrant, with nice tannins on the finish laced with violets and hints of bitter almond. Very nice with a gentle richness on the backend that flows through the finish. A lovely fruit driven fresh dolcetto. 91pts
2015 Chiara Boschis Barbera d'Alba Superiore 14.5%
From 2010 reintroduced in 2000 l barrels, in the future might use
This is a study in the graphite and ivy aromatics of Barbera that gain a hint of underlying sweetness to the nose along with a whiff of oak. Again a touch rich, this has a fine wrap of fruit over a linear and tense structure, offering an extract of Barbera on the palate and showing super length. Vibrant, rich, yet transparent and remarkably supple with tons of sweet black fruit all underpinned by important acids. There's real Barbera cut here, there's also a nice mineral accent that adds salinity to the very long fruit driven finish. A great Barbera Superiore. 93pts
2015 Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo 14%
A plot in Le Coste and plot in Mosconi that was just replanted, 30% rose clone
Nose smells a bit of raw oak, underneath one finds a fine sweet purple fruit core with real astringent character and assertive floral, rose bud top notes. The oak is a bit too dominant today. Rich in the mouth, medium plus bodied with a roundness to the lovely, juicy core of cherry and wild grape fruity that reveals a slightly foxy edge. This remains transparent and long with great palate feel though I am not convinced by the nose, but the palate is great, fresh, slightly fleshy and long with a gentleness and elegance on the finish where there's a hint of wood tannin here as well but not distracting. There’s plenty of fruit that is covering the tannins and oak on the palate. 91pts
2013 Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi 14%
So sexy it's the amuse bouche, PNP
A bit musky with dark fruit cocktail on the nose over sandy soil base notes. The oak is moderately prominent here. Absolutely silky in the mouth, with the wood notes offering a base of spice. Tannins are so fine and ripe with seamless integration. The finish is very rich in limestone, lending length, and helping to bring the fruit into fine focus. And yes the wood tannins are there, but not terribly conspicuous and one can see how they will melt into this firm, austere, and elegant wine. Rose petal aromas lend nuance and elegance on the finale. This has classic Cannubi austerity and really fine balance. 94pts
2013 Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova 14%
Pnp
Body of monforte, nerves of Serrralunga an finesse and elegane of barolo
Six plots, liste, terlo, for fruit and elegance, Serralunga energy and tannins, gabbuti, baudana, in lease, monforte mosconi in two plots, the single vineyard is done from the plots under the vineyards, and Ravera di monforte
An earthier expression of Barolo with hints of moss and medical minerality, this seems to be able to absorb the oak a bit more completely, hidden as it is beneath candied dark cherry fruit, camphor and dark rose buds aromas that are bordering on tobacco. Round, yet bright up front, this delivers a wave of sweet dark red fruit to the palate, followed by by a dark mineral note on the midpalate with a late arrival of brewed herbs. Almost a bit chewy, the tannins are very tightly packed yet very finely textured with juicy acids lending this real brightness notwithstanding the bold, dark fruit. A bit rocky, rich and angular in the mouth and through the fairly long finish with lots of jammy cranberry fruit on the finale. 93pts
2013 Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi 14%
Pnp
Most baroque wine of the three
Lots of oak perfume on the nose, along with lots of dark herb notes laid over fruit that shows signs of prune and roasted strawberry. This is a bit matte in the mouth, there's plenty of acid but less energy than the two previous wines. Rich with tannins and almost luscious fruit, remaining fairly tannic through the backend.. There’s no doubt that the site is responsible for the dark muscularity here, and the dark cherry fruit along with nice inner mouth perfumes on the midpalate, but the wood really contributes to the masculine nature here. Long and fine, though wood tannin does emerge on the finish. 91pts