Annata 2017
ANNATA 2016
Really attractive blue fruit and flowers with hints of minerals. Full- bodied, very tight and sexy with super fine tannins, at the same time. A structured and racy young wine. Better after 2021.
This is the second vintage released of this new wine from Pio Cesare, and what an elegant treat it is. The 2016 Barolo Mosconi, with fruit from Monforte d'Alba, is a toned and slender wine that shows the inner power and muscle of this corner of the appellation. The bouquet is defined by a pretty mineral note that is backed by wild berry fruit, rose petal and a dusting of crushed stone or tilled earth. I feel the tight tannins of this wine, but I also taste the elegance of the fruit that surrounds them. Only 5,000 bottles were produced. Mosconi is the second single-vineyard Barolo made by this estate after the Ornato was introduced 30 years ago.
Woodland-berry, pine-forest and rose aromas mingle with whiffs of dark spice and menthol. On the full-bodied palate, firm fine-grained tannins accompany juicy Marasca cherry, cranberry and licorice while fresh acidity keeps well balanced. Drink 2024–2036.
This is round, polished and powerful, its black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit shaded by mineral, eucalyptus and tobacco accents. All the components are in the right proportions and there is energy on the long finish. Best from 2023 through 2045.
The 2016 Barolo Mosconi shows all of the breadth and amplitude that is typical of wines from this Monforte site. Tar, licorice, rose petal, mint, incense and dried herbs all develop with time in the glass. The 2016 is a powerhouse. I would give it at least a few years in bottle.
Pio Cesare acquired an extensive parcel within Mosconi in 2014, but only the oldest vines are used for the cru wine. The nose is packed with fruit, powerful and intense, with explosive cherry and strawberry aromas, and a light savory tone. Rich and broad, this is a wine with swagger and spice, and despite its heft it's finely tuned and polished. Elegant and persistent, it shows integrated tannins and a savory tone. Very long.
This is the second vin¬tage of this wine for Pio Cesare, the fruit com¬ing from the oldest vines (planted in 1947) in a 25-acre plot the family bought in 2014. Initially austere, the wine fleshes out with air to reveal scents of lavender and thyme, along with rich fruit flavors of plum and black cherry edged in notes of tobacco and spice. Its densely packed tannins are slow to unfurl and will benefit from cellar time.
ANNATA 2015
The cherry and strawberry flavors pick up eucalyptus and tar accents as this evolves on the palate. Lean and muscular, with vivid acidity and dense tannins plying the lingering finish. Austere now. Best from 2023 through 2040. 400 cases made, 75 cases imported.
Here is a first taste of a new wine from Pio Cesare following the estate’s acquisition of vines in the Mosconi cru of Monforte d’Alba a few years back. The 2015 Barolo Mosconi opens to a less complicated bouquet with steady and clean aromas of wild berry, balsam or grilled herb and crushed stone. My sample did take a little extra time to open, but once it did, the wine presented all the detailed and nuanced characteristics of the grape with pinpoint precision. It’s great to welcome a new wine to the greater Barolo family. Only 5,000 bottles were made.
Incredibly perfumed with unique aromas of white truffles. peaches. dark berries and dried flowers. Fresh and bright. Full body. very silky tannins and a long and gorgeous finish. So progressive and seamless. Magnificent. First vintage of this single vineyard wine. Only 5.000. Starting drinking in 2023.
Pio Cesare’s newest wine, this is produced from the recently purchased Mosconi vineyard in Monforte d’Alba. The sale went through just a few days before Pio Boffa’s 60th birthday, and 30 years after the first release of the estate’s original single-vineyard Barolo. Ornato. Originally purchased to enrich the ‘classic’ Barolo, the wine Mosconi’s old vines – dating back to 1947 and 1971 – produced was deemed exceptional enough that Pio Cesare decided to make it into a standalone wine. Unlike most of Pio Cesare’s other reds, this spends the majority of time in barrique rather than botti, which seems to suit its powerful personality. It has a red hedgerow fruit aroma with a touch of orange peel and a savoury edge. The palate has good density with very fine tannins, combined with very fresh acidity and rich. plummy fruits with some cedary notes. It’s lighter than the denser Ornato showing more red fruit, but, like its sibling is surprisingly light on its feet for such a substantial wine. It finishes with a lovely lick of sweet, elegant cherry fruit and a touch of woody vanilla. A very good first attempt. I expect we will see the estate refining the recipe for this wine over the next few vintages. Drinking Window 2020 – 2040