Riconoscimenti

The 2015 Barolo is a beautifully balanced and tight expression of Nebbiolo that hits all the right spots on the palate, from the side of the mouth where you taste the acidity to the back where you get a sense of the wine’s structure and integrated tannins. That freshness could pair well with a steak in pepper cream sauce. Long skin maceration times are followed by oak aging, partially in botti with a smaller part in barrique.

Complex aromas of smoke, ash and dark fruits with a precision and intensity. Layered and gorgeous. Loads of dark fruit and perfume. Full-bodied with round and wonderfully polished tannins. Wonderful length and richness. Goes on for minutes.
Try in 2023 but already good now.

2015 saw drought conditions in late June and July but there were reserves of water from earlier heavy snow in winter and heavy rain in mid-May. Like the Barbaresco, Pio Cesare prefer to call this its ‘classic’ Barolo, which certainly suits the old-school style of the wine. Fruit comes from seven vineyards scattered around Barolo, including – for the first time – 10% fruit from the young vines of Mosconi in Monforte d’Alba. The older vines from Mosconi have been used for a new single-vineyard bottling. True to form. this has dusty hedgerow fruit aromas with a touch of new leather. It’s lighter, softer and more savoury than the single-vineyard bottlings, but the palate is quite tight, with some good acidity peeking through. Some sweet red fruits appear on the mid-palate, followed bu Parma violet lift on the finish. Since the 1960s, the estate has only produced around 5,000 cases of this wine each vintage.
Drinking Window 2019-2035

This is light-weight despite burly tannins that shore up earth, tar, cherry and underbrush flavors. Builds in both power and breadth, ending with a dense matrix of tannins. Best from 2022 through 2035. 5,800 cases made, 2,600 cases imported.

The 2014 Barolo shows crisp lines and sharp delineation. At its core, this cool-vintage Nebbiolo offers dark and enriched fruit that is layered between spice, grilled herb, cola and balsam herb. These various components find very good balance and unity, yet ultimately this remains a slightly thinner and more accessible vintage overall. Bottle production is big for the appellation with 80,000 units released.

Bright and complex with licorice, tar and rose petals. Hints of plums, too. Medium to full body and chewy, round tannins. Plenty of
dried meat, spices and berries. A pretty finish. Shows intensity for the vintage. Already very pretty but drink in 2020.

A taut, sinewy version, revealing eucalyptus, wild herb, leather, tobacco and iron notes wrapped around a core of dusty cherry fruit. Fresh and chalky. Best from 2021 throungh 2040. – B.S.

This stunning wine opens with classic Nebbiolo aromas of underbrush, new leather, blue flower and dark berry along with a whiff of menthol. The radiant savory palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and star anise framed in noble tannins and bright acidity. It’s tempting now but will continue to unwind and develop complexity for years to come. Drink 2023–2043. – Kerin O’Keefe, September 1st, 2017

The Pio Cesare 2013 barolo offers all of the plentiful qualities that make this such a memorable vintage. because the growing season was slightly cooler compared to the two years preceding it, 2013 offers a great sense of freshness and brightness. Fruit was sourced from seven different vineyards sites (with much of coming from Serralunga d’Alba). Starting in 2015, Monforte d’Alba fruit will be added. The tannins are tightly integrated within the film fabric of the wine. Yet, the finish is round and supple. This Barolo offers characteristics aromas of wild berry, black truffle and cola. It is executed in a very traditional style with botte grande and a tiny part barrique to give the wine a tad more oxygen during its integration and aging process.

The aroma to this are really impressive with crushed berries, dried flowers, walnuts and roses. Metamorphoses all the time. Full to medium body, characterized by a fantastic mouthfeel of ripe and round tannins that are always polished and beautiful. Magnificent harmony and purity.
Drink or hold.

Pio Cesare has produced a small miracle with the 2012 Barolo. In a vintage that saw many nondescript wines, this Nebbiolo is bursting with energy and personality. The bouquet opens to an exciting sense of freshness with bright cherry and wild berry at the forefront. You also get balsam herb and mint, with cola and licorice in generous supply at the back. The wine should evolve slowly over the next ten years.

This is a young Barolo that builds on the palate with super silky tannins and fantastic pure and delicious fruit. Hints of hazelnut, plum and dark berry character. Full and polished tannins. Better in 2019 but so delicious now.

The 2011 Barolo offers a classic approach to Nebbiolo and has done so consistently for decades. Pio Cesare is a benchmark producer with a production philosophy that remains the same year after year, thus giving ample room to vintage variation. This handsome edition presents a dark fruit profile with black cherry and cassis. The wine evolves slowly in the glass to reveal tarry notes of licorice and light spice. Its delineated and focused approach is reinforced by its streamlined mouthfeel and delicate complexity. Pio Cesare has produced 80,000 bottles of its base Barolo Drink: 2016 – 2028

This is a fabulous young Barolo with a purity and beauty that is breathtaking. Full body plus a deep and subtle center palate of strawberry, light cherry and hints of citrus. Really superb. Drink or hold.

This red exudes sweet cherry flavors in addition to vanilla and toast elements from the light oak treatment. Elegant and persistent, with a bright beam of acidity, refined tannins and an aftertaste of iron, mineral and spice. Best from 2017 through 2028.

Cherry, menthol, leather and earth aromas and flavors mark this meaty red. Dense and firm, with a solid matrix of tannins. Finds balance and lingers. Be patient with this. Best from 2019 through 2033. 40 cases imported.

BEST BUY OF THE YEAR “When I tasted this wine in Alba this past May, it stood out as one of the best Barolo normale of the vintage. And it performed exceptionally well in our most recent tastings, expanding from a tight aroma to a big, open crescendo of flavor, from tart strawberry to orange peel, leather, forest floor mushrooms and deep anise-scented tannins. It’s focused and pure. A classic.”

Structured and powerful, it features aromas of underbrush, leather, spice, plum cake and subtle oak. The concentrated palate delivers juicy black cherry and red raspberry accented with notes of espresso alongside tightly packed tannins and fresh acidity. Give it time to unwind.

Pio Cesare’s 2010 Barolo is terrific. Dark red cherries, plums, lavender, smoke and savory herbs open up in the glass, followed by hints of orange peel and white pepper that add both lift and a hugely appealing element of exoticism. The firm, incisive tannins are going to need a few years to settle down. There is a lot to like in this classic, old-school leaning Barolo. The 2010 was made from less well-exposed parcels in Ornato, along with parcels in Collareto and Briccolina, both of which are in the same general area of Serralunga, plus dollops of fruit from La Morra and Grinzane Cavour, virtually all of it estate fruit.

The 2010 Barolo is a great fall back wine for those who want to know the flavor profile of a classic,well-made Barolo. This is a textbook wine, especially in the exceptional 2010 vintage. Black fruit and prune is folded together with delicate tones of cigar ash, crushed mineral, licorice, white truffle and dried raspberry. The tannins are firm, but polished and the wine leaves a lasting imprint of dark fruit and cola on the elegant finish. Drink: 2016-2028.

A fascinating aromas of crushed berries, flowers and light hazelnut. Roses. Violets. Full bodied and super structured with wonderful length and powerful. So much depth to this. Incredible. Savory. Better in 2016 but hard not to drink it.

The 2009 Barolo fleshes out in the glass nicely. Smoke, tobacco, worn-in leather, spices and menthol all take shape in a broad, large-scaled Barolo endowed with serious depth. Firm yet nicely-integrated tannins support a voluptuous, creamy finish endowed with serious depth. The 2009 can be enjoyed now, but it also has more than enough depth to drink well for the next decade-plus.

There’s an impressive purity of fruit with strawberry character and hints of cream and flowers. White pepper too. Full body, with polished, integrated tannins and a long flavorful finish. Beautiful fruit. Nougat with fruit. Orange peel. Polished and refined.

Pio Cesare offers two very distinct expressions of Barolo. The first, the 2009 Barolo, shows classic lines and elegant characteristics of mild spice and forest berry backed by dried ginger, blue flower and anise seed. Its tight, crisp and finely textured mouthfeel appeal to those with a preference for traditional Barolo. Again, this producer has done a good job managing the warmer vintage conditions.

Sweet rosemary, licorice and red berries waft from the glass in Pio Cesare’s 2008 Barolo. This is a fairly approachable vintage for the estate’s Barolo. Firm, young Nebbiolo tannins frame the long finish. …the 2008 should provide plenty of enjoyment on the near and medium term.

A hard edge underlies this cherry-, strawberry- and herb-flavored red … shows balance, with a long, elegant finish.

Cellar Selection “Pio Cesare is on a roll producing vintage after vintage of excellent Barolo. This shows enormous intensity and beauty with perfumed layers of pressed flower, wild berry, vanilla and spice. It boasts a dark, bold appearance and tight tannins that are supported by an excellent quality of fruit.”

Wonderful aromas of dried roses and berries with hints of peach pit and plums. Lively and focused with plenty of fruit and a lovely line of tannins to it. Drink now or give it two or three years to soften.

Best Buy “Spicy and bright with red fruit flavor, this is underlined by nebbiolo’s sneaky tannins. They come on with an iron grip, then open to scents of roses. This is powered by alcohol, but well within the bounds of balance. Cellar it several years then decant for braised duck.”

This round red is full of sweet cherry and plum flavors, with hints of licorice and spices. The richness is offset by dense tannins.

Good deep red. Very closed but pure nose offers currant, marzipan, mocha and a whiff of truffle. Quite sweet on the front half and almost surprisingly round and opulent. Then turns more dry and classic toward the back, finishing with serious, dusty, fine-grained tannins.

The 2007 Barolo is inviting, sweet and open, yet has plenty of underlying tannins to provide support. It shows terrific balance in a style that reconciles the traditionalist leanings of this bottling with the ripe quality of the year. Sweet hints of tobacco, spices, leather and herbs add complexity on the textured yet grippy finish. Pio Cesare’s straight Barolo doesn’t seem to get the attention or spotlight it deserves, but it has truly been one of Piedmont’s under the radar jewels for some time.

Cellar Selection “Pio Cesare and the 2007 vintage marry beautifully to produce a layered, opulent, textured, rich wine that is bursting with zesty red fruit, sassy spice, leather and toasted espresso bean. What really sets this wine apart is the dense smoothness of its texture. Save this bottle in your cellar 10 years or more.”

Love the nose on this with nutmeg and other spices, not to mention the ripe fruits such as currants and plums. Full and wonderfully balanced with ultra-fine tannins and a bright finish. Bright and tannic. Delicious already.”

Sweet and spicy, displaying a viscous texture that envelops the cherry, menthol and allspice notes. Firm, upright tannins on the finish keep this honest, and the spice lingers, along with notes of mineral.

The 2006 Barolo offers up a super-classic profile of tar, roses, raspberries and licorice, all wrapped around a firm core of tannins. Fresh and vibrant throughout, the Barolo impresses for its superb balance and poise. … This is a magnificent, impeccable Barolo from Pio Cesare, but it will be even better in a few years.

Slightly closed, but a large-scale wine with tons of Nebbiolo character. Give it time.

Good deep red. Sweet but lower-toned aromas of mocha and nuts. Powerful, broad and rich, with a plush texture to the flavors of plum, coffee and mocha. There’s something distinctly old school about this wine and yet there’s a pliancy to the middle palate. Finishes with suave, building tannins that reach the front teeth.

The estate’s 2005 Barolo is pretty and sensual in its dark fruit, menthol, spices and licorice. This mid-weight Barolo reveals gorgeous balance and a long finish and a relatively accessible personality for this bottling.

Very ripe fruit aromas, with sultana, prune and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with seamless yet chewy tannins and a long finish. Lasts a long time.

Here’s a beautifully crafted, oak-driven wine that needs at least four or five more years of cellar aging before it reaches true harmony and balance. The wine’s aromas are focused on Indian spice, vanilla, toasted nut and plush blackberry. It tastes bright and fresh but has the natural complexity to promise great things to come.

This big, juicy, chewy wine is one of Piedmont’s most reliable and widely available quality blended Barolos. Pio Boffa represents the fourth generation to run this estate, located in the heart of Barolo’s capital of Alba. He sources Nebbiolo grapes from the winery’s own vineyards in the Serralunga d’Alba commune and supplements them with grapes from trusted suppliers in the region.

The estate’s 2004 Barolo is very elegant in this vintage. Although the wine is firm and quite primary, the tannins are sweet, silky and refined. Today the wine reveals just a glimpse of its potential but it should develop into a gem with time. While most of the attention at Pio Cesare goes to the Barolo Ornato, this is the hidden beauty in this lineup. …Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.

Highly Re “Extremely attractive aromas of blackberry, fresh mushroom and mahogany. Full-bodied, with lovely fruit, soft tannins and a long finish. Chewy, yet balanced and pretty. Builds on the palate. A big and juicy red. Best after 2010.”

The 2003 Barolo is a terrific effort and once again demonstrates the advantage of blending fruit from various sources, especially in challenging vintages. Initially reticent, the wine gradually opens to reveal gorgeous notes of smoke, tar, roses and scorched earth on a linear, classically-built frame. This pure, sweet Barolo offers outstanding balance, well-integrated tannins and an engaging personality….Anticipated maturity: 2010-2023.

Has fabulous blackberry and mineral, with hints of toasty oak. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Very concentrated, yet racy and structured…Gorgeous. Best after 2009.

Pleasing aromas of milk chocolate and fruit. Medium-bodied, with delicious fruit and light vanilla flavors and a medium finish.
Drink now. 3,500 cases made.

#32 on top 100

Made from a blend of parcels in various parts of the zone, the house’s 2001 Barolo normale offers a classic, somewhat austere profile. It opens with a pretty, balsamic nose that is followed by sweet dark fruit and tar flavors that develop in the glass with notable length, persistence and freshness on the finish. It will drink well to at least age 20. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021.

Highly R: “Very pretty plum and fresh flower aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Layered and serious. Very close to the fabulous 1997. Best after 2009.”

The 2000 Barolo has a very classic feel to it. Hints of rose petal, spices, licorice, and tobacco lead to red cherries and flowers in this delicate, subtle wine. The fruit unfolds beautifully through the mid-palate and finish. This is an impressive, totally delicious Barolo.

Non-blind “This was the magazine’s No. 7 wine in the Top 100 in 2001. And it is holding on beautifully. It shows aromas of tar and black berries with an underlying minerally character. It’s full bodied, with ultra-fine tannins and a long finish. Gorgeous. And they made over 6,000 cases of this! Drink now or hold.The interesting thing is that Pio Boffa thinks that the 2000, 1997 and 1978 all have a lot in common and that they were all from very hot years. I think his 1997 will age as well, if not better, than the 1978 and the 2000 might be better than the two.”