The 2007 Barolo Marenca boasts tons of richness and depth. Beautiful, well-delineated aromatics are woven throughout a core of expressive, racy fruit, adding lift and freshness. The Marenca is usually the biggest of the Baroli here, and the 2007 is definitely an extroverted wine, but is also beautifully balanced. Waves of fruit build effortlessly to the pulsating finish. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027. This is a head-spinning set of wines from Luigi Pira from top to bottom. I would be thrilled to drink any of these wines any day of the week. As always, Pira favors a style based on textural richness. At their best, the wines show an equal amount of elegance.A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119

Pira’s Barolo Marenca is one of the biggest, most extroverted wines being made today in Piedmont and the 2006 is no exception. It shows a touch more opulence than the Margheria in its intense, dark fruit. Readers will find incredible harmony here, and a finish that lasts forever. Iron, tar, licorice and smoke linger on the powerful finish. This is a marvelous Barolo from Pira, but patience is the key. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. Giampaolo Pira’s Barolos are some of the most massive, rich wines readers are likely to come across, but they rarely fail to deliver the goods. Like most producers, Pira has begun to reduce the level of small, new oak barrels in his Barolos, and the results are striking. The Barolo and Barolo Margheria are both aged in cask. The Marenca is aged in medium-size 500-liter barrels, while the Vigna Rionda sees smaller 225-liter French oak barrels. Though soft spoken, Giampaolo Pira is among Piedmont’s most ambitious young growers, as these wines fully attest.A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119