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Tasting notes
The 2009 Boca (mostly Nebbiolo with 15% Vespolina) is shaped by a very hot vintage. Indeed, 2003 and 2009 were the hottest years in recent years, Le Piane owner Christoph Künzli tells me. This wine reveals a soft core of blackberry preserves and dried cherry. In addition, there are evolved tones of leather and smoked bacon. The finish is long with some fine velvety textures on the close.
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Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Boca, which I tasted from barrel, is another drop-dead gorgeous wine from Le Piane. Black cherries, plums, mocha, sweet herbs and menthol wrap around the palate as the 2009 opens up. Expressive balsamic-inflected notes develop over time, adding further complexity. Given its considerable power and youthful exuberance, the 2009 is going to need time to fully come together. The Boca often drinks well upon release, but it truly blossoms with a few years in bottle. The blend is mostly Nebbiolo, with some Vespolina and Bonarda. When I am looking for an affordable Italian red on a restaurant wine list, I often turn to the wines of Northern Piedmont and Le Piane's Boca, a wine that reliably overachieves relative to its modest price.