E. Pira Barolo 2022: Chiara Boschis and the Making of a Modern Classic in Piedmont
Chiara Boschis, owner and winemaker of E. Pira in Barolo, is one of the most influential figures in modern Piedmont. She’s more than a winemaker; she’s a revolutionary. She the first woman to lead a historic estate in male-dominated Barolo—and a central member of the “Barolo Boys”—the group of young rebels who famously turned the Langhe upside down in the 1980s and 90s. Boschis redefined how Piedmont Nebbiolo could be grown, vinified, and enjoyed. Her wines balance power and grace, shaping a modern Barolo style that values approachability without sacrificing terroir or longevity.
Crucially, Chiara was at the forefront of the shift toward the "modern" style, famously trading the massive, old Slavonian casks for small French oak barriques. This wasn't just a technical choice; it was a philosophical one. By using French oak, she and her peers sought to tame the fierce, often "forbidding" tannins of Nebbiolo, creating wines with more polish, immediate fruit clarity, and a supple texture that allowed Barolo to be enjoyed without waiting thirty years. Today, while her style has evolved into a perfect "middle ground" of precision and tradition, that DNA of elegance and approachability remains.
The 2022 Barolo vintage represents a fascinating pivot point for this style. It was a year that "taught humility," defined by a hot, dry summer that forced growers to rethink everything. While some struggled with ripeness, the elite producers—those like Chiara who understand their vines on a cellular level—managed to produce what critics are calling "miracle wines." The 2022s from Chiara are not the brooding, tannic monsters of decades past; they are luminous, fruit-forward, and remarkably approachable, leaning into that transparent elegance she has spent her career perfecting.
Terroir at E. Pira: Cannubi, Mosconi, and Via Nuova Explained
Chiara’s collection is a masterclass in how soil translates into the glass. Standing in her cellar, she often describes her three main labels as having completely different souls.
Cannubi is one of Barolo’s most historic crus, known for its sandy, calcareous soils that produce highly aromatic, refined wines with transparent structure. It’s the most famous hill in Barolo. The wines from here possess ethereal lightness. Chiara calls this wine her "ballerina on her toes"—light and graceful, but with immense hidden strength and nerve.
Mosconi is located in Monforte d’Alba and sits on heavy, iron-rich clay. It is the "masculine" counterpoint to Cannubi—it’s the Titan of the trio. The wines are broad, muscular, and opulent, offering a deep, savory embrace rather than a floral lift.
Via Nuova is Chiara’s "New Road." It is a blend of six distinct crus across Barolo, Monforte d’Alba, and Serralunga. It is the most "complete" wine in the lineup, pulling the elegance of Barolo village and the power of Monforte together into one harmonious voice. This is the Master Blend.
The 2022 E. Pira Single-Vineyard Barolos
Cannubi is one of Barolo’s most historic crus.
Across her lineup, the 2022 E. Pira Barolos show luminous red fruit, refined tannins, and earlier accessibility—capturing Boschis’s lifelong pursuit of elegance under challenging climatic conditions.
2022 E. Pira Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi (DOCG) $149.99
97 Points – James Suckling
Pre-Arrival | Elsewhere: $169
The 2022 Cannubi is a triumph of finesse over heat. It is deep and restrained, showing a sleek elegance that is hard to find in a warm year. Expect a myriad of sweet perfumes—red fruit, spice, and the signature balsamic notes of mint and eucalyptus that only this hill can provide. Suckling calls it "profound in its depths" with plush tannins you can really sink your teeth into.
2022 E. Pira Chiara Boschis "Mosconi" Barolo (DOCG) $129.99
98 Points – James Suckling
Pre-Arrival | Elsewhere $129
A total powerhouse. This is one of the most refined expressions of Mosconi we’ve seen, managing to maintain its structural presence while layering in stunning floral overtones. It is austere, complex, and driven by a massive mineral core. Notes of bright cherries, cedar, and sliced mushrooms lead into a driving, persistent finish.
2022 E. Pira Chiara Boschis "Via Nuova" Barolo (DOCG) $89.99
95 Points – James Suckling
Pre-Arrival | Elsewhere $120
The "New Road" is outstanding for its pure savoriness in 2022. It is a vibrant, mid-weight Barolo that perfectly balances the characteristics of its six constituent vineyards. Expect earthy strawberries, peonies, and restrained blood orange on the nose, with a silky, dainty palate and tannins that add a surprising, chocolatey touch.
Everyday Nebbiolo and a Classic Digestif
2024 E. Pira Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo $39.99
Pre-Arrival | Elsewhere $49
Don't call this an "entry-level" wine; it is a serious Nebbiolo sourced from prime parcels in La Morra. The 2024 is incredibly fresh and expressive, dominated by a bouquet of cherry, raspberry, and dried rose. It is vibrant and "nervous" in the best way, making it the perfect bottle to open while you wait for the Barolos to cellar.
2024 E. Pira Chiara Boschis Barolo Chinato $49.99
Pre-Arrival
The ultimate conclusion to an Italian dinner. Chiara’s Chinato is a labor of love—a fortified Barolo aromatized with a secret recipe of herbs, spices, and barks (including Cinchona). It is rich, bitter-sweet, and profoundly complex. In an era where many houses have moved to commercial styles, Chiara maintains the traditional depth that makes this one of the world's great digestifs.