2008 - Boca, Piane

The Le Piane 2008 Boca is absolutely radiant. This is a stellar edition that is shining at this moment in time. The spring and summer seasons were cooler than average, and a violent hailstorm in July cut grape production down by half. The harvest came late (on October 28th), but extreme care was required to painstakingly eliminate the dried-out and hail-damaged berries. This was an extremely labor-intensive vintage, and the results show full generosity and intensity with aromas that span the spectrum from dark fruit to tar, licorice and bitter chocolate. This wine currently occupies a magic spot in its ongoing evolution, and it shows no sign of letting down. The mouthfeel is immense and profound, and that beautiful acidic freshness seals the deal. We encounter that same tension and freshness in the 2013 vintage.

The 2008 Boca is more than a worthy follow-up to the gorgeous 2007. In this vintage, the wine is much more classic in style. The sweetest of black cherries, grilled herbs, menthol, spices and licorice all meld together in this beautiful, delineated, totally vibrant wine. The balance of focus and power is simply stunning. This is a dazzling effort from a small estate that seems to be ratcheting up quality with each passing vintage. One of the attributes of Nebbiolo-based wines from northern Piedmont is that they are often easy to drink when young, yet also age effortlessly for years, sometimes decades. That certainly appears to be the case here. This is magnificent effort from proprietor Christoph Kunzli.