Domaine Roagna Barolo Pira Vecchie Viti 2011 | Piedmont

Barolo Pira Vecchie Viti 2011 | Roagna

The 2011 Barolo Pira Vecchie Viti is one of the most extraordinary gems from the Roagna wine estate. Produced only since the 2007 vintage, this single-vineyard cuvée derives its character from a vineyard under exclusive ownership: the Pira cru in Castiglione Falletto, which the Roagna family has owned since 1989. The history of this family-owned wine estate dates back to the early 20th century in Barbaresco, when it was founded by Vincenzo Roagna. Today, Luca Roagna, representing the fifth generation, leads the wine estate with the same classical rigor inherited from his ancestors.

The Pira Vecchie Viti stands out from the wine estate’s “standard” Barolo Pira with its more robust, concentrated body. It comes from a half-hectare plot, cultivated by the family since 1953, planted with old Nebbiolo vines over 80 years old. At this age, the vines yield little, but what they do produce is incredibly dense.

Terroir and Grape Varieties

The Pira vineyard rests on calcareous marl and blue stone resulting from the slow weathering of the Castiglione rocks. This soil, locally known as “Roca,” imparts a distinctive mineral backbone to the wine. The vineyard faces southeast, which promotes slow and consistent ripening of the Nebbiolo. It comprises six distinct micro-plots, each contributing its own nuance to the final blend. Nebbiolo reigns supreme here, in keeping with the tradition of the Barolo DOCG appellation.

Viticulture and Winemaking

Organic viticulture is the standard at the wine estate: no herbicides, and only copper and sulfur treatments. The grapes are harvested by hand. In the cellar, fermentation takes place in large wooden vats using exclusively indigenous yeasts. Maceration lasts 60 to 90 days with the cap submerged—a radical choice that gently extracts the essence of the tannins without harshness. Ageing then continues in large neutral French oak barrels, steam-treated rather than toasted, often for five years before bottling. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration. Each step reflects Luca Roagna’s philosophy: patience, respect for the fruit, and fidelity to Piedmontese tradition.

Barolo Pira Vecchie Viti 2011 | Roagna: the sommelier’s review

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin

The 2011 Vecchie Viti is a wine with a strong character. It takes Roagna’s classic style to its most intense expression: plenty of muscle, an imposing structure, and an old-school classicism that requires time to develop. Its peak drinking window spans from 2026 to 2041, and it would be a shame to open it too soon. If you want to enjoy it now, decanting for at least two hours at 17°C is essential. This wine does not reveal itself easily, but those who are patient will be richly rewarded.

The Nose

The nose opens with black stone fruits, black cherry, and hints of juicy red berries. Notes of graphite and light smoke emerge in the background, accompanied by licorice and dark spices. Dried rose petals add a subtle floral touch, typical of a characterful Nebbiolo. The whole is grounded by an earthy, mineral base reminiscent of the marl soils of Castiglione.

On the palate

On the palate, the attack is more supple than one would expect from such a structured wine. The body is dense, carried by an abundance of juicy fruit. The tannins are powerful, dense, and demanding: they require time to mellow. The finish is immense, long, and well-structured, with lingering notes of tobacco and leather. This is a wine built for aging, one that will reward patience.

Barolo: Everything You Need to Know About This Appellation

Barolo is one ofItaly’s most prestigious appellations. Produced in Piedmont, south of Alba, it is made exclusively from Nebbiolo, a late-ripening and demanding grape variety. Soils vary by municipality: calcareous marl in Castiglione Falletto and La Morra, and sandier soils in Serralunga. These differences shape distinct profiles, but the signature remains the same: firm tannins, lively acidity, and complex aromas of rose, tar, and spices. Barolo ages slowly and can be cellared for several decades.

Roagna’s Barolo Pira Vecchie Viti embodies the most classic expression of this appellation. Sourced from a family-owned vineyard and vinified without compromise to modernity, it represents the deepest and most structured expression that Nebbiolo from Castiglione Falletto can offer. Antonio Galloni (Vinous) awarded it 94 points, and the CellarTracker average stands at 93.1 points: scores that confirm this wine’s stature in the world of traditional Barolo.