Ciao,
FWIW, I found this old TN from October 2004 I had written, regarding the 1974 E. Pira Barolo, the last of 4 bottles Wasserman had in his stash.
"1. 1974 E. Pira & Figli, Barolo. Luigi Pira ran this estate until his death in the mid 70’s. The Boschis family bought the vineyards - they also own Giacomo Borgogno. Today Chiara Boschis makes a renowned new wave “Cannubi” from the holdings. In his book “Italy’s Noble Red Wines” Wasserman says Luigi Pira was his favorite producer. He had 4 bottles of this wine in his cellar - this is the last of the 4 - the first bottle, drunk in 1997 soon after purchasing the Wasserman stash, was excellent. The next two were oxidized.
There is another separate producer today making Barolo called “Luigi Pira”; this is no relation as far as I know to E. Pira.
This wine was opened with cheese and prosciutto for lunch. Expectations were low as the last 2 bottles were totally oxidized. However, this bottle was in excellent condition. Decanted off a medium amount of sediment. The color is an impressive brick red with orange rim, still lively. The nose is fine with a touch of decaying leaves at first that disappeears, then roses, some tar, and spicy cherry/orange fruit, classic old school nose. On the palate still drinking well, perhaps past it’s peak but holding up well, fruit faded a little, slightly austere, with a grippy finish. Prosciutto and cheese really help it. We were more than pleased with the results of this last bottle. Grade: A-.
Dinner was osso buco, polenta and broccoli. To go with it we had the 1985 D’Angelo Aglianico del Vulture, normale. Decanted 2 hours before dinner. fine sediment. Very pretty garnet color in the center shading to orange with a yellow edge at rim. Mature, clearly, but healthy. On the nose, a very attractive, sweet berry fruit to it, some spiciness, rich and warm, like a Taurasi from Mastroberardino in many ways. On the palate it starts with a bitter finish at first taste after decanting, but this faded and by dinner with the osso buco had disappeared entirely, leaving a very fine grained, grippy, tannic finish. Lots of orange/red raspberry fruit left in it although this wine too has probably evolved past it’s peak. A lovely drink with the dinner. Grade: A-.
For dessert we had an astonishing 1914 Madeira, Bual, from Cossart Gordon, which believe it or not also came from Wasserman. Peter had bought about 50 bottles of non-Italian stuff from the stash, including this, some older ports and interesting Rhone wines, among other things. Grade: A+."
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