2016 - Barolo Via Nuova, Chiara Boschis (Azienda Agricola E. Pira e Figli)

In my opinion, the 2016 Barolo Via Nuova is the single greatest Barolo Chiara Boschis has made in her storied career. A monumental, thrilling wine, the Via Nuova captures all the best the vintage had to give. Explosive in the glass, with stunning aromatic depth, the 2016 is drop-dead gorgeous from the very first taste. Dark macerated cherry, lavender, spice, menthol and rose petal are kicked up a few notches from underlying veins of acidity and tannin that give the wine its energy and drive. The 2016 is a wine of extraordinary harmony, purity and finesse with an eternal finish. The 2016 Barolo Via Nuova is a blend of seven plots: Terlo, Liste, Paiagallo, Ravera di Monforte, Mosconi, Gabutti and Baudana.

A blend of fruit from seven crus spread across Barolo, Monforte d'Alba and Serralunga d'Alba, the E Pira-Chiara Boschis 2016 Barolo Via Nuova is a polished and elegant wine that reflects all the classic characteristics of textbook Barolo. There are brambly aromas of woody red fruit, like pomegranate, followed by toasted hazelnut, licorice and grassy earth. The delineated tannins and the freshness of the acidity add to the depth and important layering of the wine. Following the best of Nebbiolo, the wine is weightless and powerful at the same time.

Lustrous mid ruby. Sleek oak and red-fruit nose. Super-attractive, lively and yet full, sweet, red fruit underlined by elegant oak notes. The firm, grainy tannins remind me of Serralunga d’Alba (but this is an intercommunal blend of Liste, Terlo, Baudana, Gabutti, Ravera di Monforte and Mosconi). Succulent finish with just a touch of oak. (WS)