The fine estate of Roagna has long roots in the commune of Barbaresco, having been started very early in the twentieth century by Vincenzo Roagna. Vincenzo passed on the reigns to his son Giovanni Roagna, who in his turn saw his son Alfredo succeed him as the head of the estate. Today the property is run by the fifth generation of the family, Luca Roagna. Luca was born in 1980, and succeeded to the winemaking for the property soon after his graduation from oenological school in 2001. The style of the estate’s wines has been consistently safeguarded down through all five generations of Roagna family members who have steered the property, with the wines made in a very traditional and classic style. These are deep, complex and structured wines that are built to age and handsomely reward cellaring.
‘The 2015 Barolo Pira is lifted and gracious in feel. In this vintage, the Pira is notably perfumed and restrained. Rose petal, mint, crushed flowers, dried cherry, star anise and cinnamon are some of the many notes that grace this delicate, lilting Barolo from Luca Roagna. The tannins are persistent and fine, lending a slightly nervous feel. Drink 2023-2035’ – 93 points Antonio Galloni, Vinous
‘I wasn’t a huge fan of the 2014 Pira, but this is much much better. As you’d expect. Anyway, Pira sits below Rocche di Castiglione, and as far as I know, Roagna are the only producer to bottle a wine from this MGA.
Fine perfume of dried flowers, maybe even chamomile, cherries dusted in cocoa, mint, tobacco and sweet spices. Almost juicy red fruits, blood orange and cinnamon, cool acidity, fine chalk dust tannin, pulls a bit more savoury and earthy on a long and fresh finish sprinkled with amaro herbs and almond. A charmer.’ – 95 points Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
