TNs: Two from Roagna

WINE TALK
1
  • 1993 Roagna Barolo Riserva La Rocca e La Pira - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (9/16/2014)
    Similar in color to the '97 (and also popped & poured). There is an initial mustiness on the nose, but it soon disappears with some agitation in the glass, replaced with cool menthol, red fruits and some funky notes - this nose has more going on right now than the '97.

Presents more mature than the '97, slightly dilute, sweet & sour red fruits, nice finish with a little unresolved tannin you can feel on your enamel. Again, not overly complex, but you could do a lot worse on a Tuesday night.

  • 1997 Roagna Barolo La Rocca e La Pira - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (9/16/2014)
    Slightly murky at the core, lightening out to translucent ruby on the rim. Nice “cool” nose with soy sauce and red fruits.

Sweet/ripe red fruits on the palate - delicious. Tannin is fairly assimilated at this point, and this betrays no undue heat from the vintage. Not complex, but other than that, drinking pretty well right now.

Popped & poured - I was kind of surprised that no one has posted a note on this wine since 2009, given that this is a widely available producer (albeit better known for his Barbaresco).

Posted from CellarTracker

2

Roagna and Pira have similar labels and I confuse them. Haven’t had one of either yet, but I think I have 1 of each. Roagna is the more ‘traditional’ of the two?

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Nice notes. Roagna is a fav. It’s the acid that tingles my enamel! I do tend to prefer the Barbareschi.

RT

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I’ve tasted the '95 and the '96. The '96 Roagna La Rocca e La Pira is a serious wine and the '95 is no slouch. They do get pretty expensive–though it is all relative.

Thanks for the notes.

5

I’m not sure what market you’re shopping in, but small production and choppy distribution makes Luca’s wines terribly hard to find around these parts.

I think his wines are distinctive, evocative and personal – I love them and wish they were easier to come by in our market…

6

Another glass of the '93 with some leftover short ribs tonight (about 48 hours after opening) - this is an elegant, light-bodied Barolo. Floral tones and red fruits on the nose, a mature wine at this point, and while I don’t think it’s ready to go over a cliff, there’s also no reason to defer gratification either. Showing more complexity tonight, a nice wine from an average vintage.

7

Thanks for the fine notes Bob!


FWIW his regular Barbaresco from 93 was quite good but fading recently, and the 93 barbaresco riserva is in a good spot for my admittedly age prefering tendencies.

A few years ago I think it was Chambers had a bunch of the 95 and 96 wines in 375 and I grabbed a bunch and they have been very enjoyable, with the 96 expectedly showing a bit more desire to sleep but the 95 in a good spot.

I realy like Luca’s wines and wish they had not taken the big price jump since 04 vintage.

Cheers

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And another glass of the '97 as well (barolo is kind of like potato chips - you just can’t have one [cheers.gif] ) -

This is more medium-bodied than the '93, but the wine’s flavors are not as focused tonight. Still nice acidity present, though I prefer the older wine right now.

Todd, I agree re:pricing - in fact, the pricing on the Crichet Paje is somewhat obscene, IMO. But I guess if they are successful in selling it, more power to them.