2017 Pio Cesare, Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Fides – Vigna Mosconi (RT92+) This vineyard was planted in 1971, the old vines create a delicious Barbera! With its 30 days maceration followed by 12 months in mostly Botti with a small amount of used barriques, it shows exceptional class and dimension, revealing a soft, supple mouthfeel and a delicate bouquet. Notes of aged red cherry, soft saddle leather and hints of minerality dominate. Absolutely delicious and a perfect food wine. Bravo! Drink now-2027+
2016 Pio Cesare, Nebbiolo Langhe (RT90) Crafted from a blend of young vines harvested in Diano d’Alba along with some from both Barolo and Barbaresco estate owned vineyards, then aged for 24 months in Botti, with a modest amount in barrique. Slightly subdued aromatics show hints of spice and clean Nebbiolo fruit. Light in body, but very well made, this is a candidate for near-to-midterm cellaring. Drink now and over the next 6-8 years.
2016 Pio Cesare, Barbaresco (RT94) This Barbaresco is an integral part of Pio Cesare’s storied history. Crafted from estate owned cru’s in Treiso (Bongiovanni, Il Bricco & San Stefanetto) and San Rocco Seno d’Elvio, after 25-30 days of skin contact, it is aged for 30 months is French oak Botti and a small amount of barrique. Showing a captivating classic bouquet built of rose petal, cherry, balsam and herbs, it shows a gorgeous mouthfeel balancing perfect acidity and a long, ripe tannic finish. Great aging potential, this is a real beauty! Drink now-2036+
2015 Pio Cesare, Barbaresco (RT93) Coming on the heels of the 2016, this shows all the class and character of Cesare’s Barbaresco from a great vintage, but with softer, riper and rounder aromatics and a wonderfully rich, delicious mouthfeel. Absolutely wonderful in every way, this too will age very well and shows the class and pedigree of this great wine. Drink now-2035+
2016 Pio Cesare, Barolo (RT95) Wowsah, this exceptional Barolo will light up the night! Crafted from estate grown fruit from the great Serralunga vineyards of Ornato, La Serra & Briccolina, Grizane Cavour’s Gustava e Garretti, La Morra’s Roncaglie and Novello’s Ravera, this is a magically classic Barolo that embodies the textural variety of the region. Far more than the sum of its parts, like the Barbaresco it is also macerated for 25-30 days then aged for 30 months in French Botti with a small amount of barrique. Soaring aromatics rise tall, with notes of cherry, menthol, pomegranate and balsam that lead to a firm, but elegant mouthfeel that buttresses fresh acidity against sweet ripe tannin. Masterful winemaking that will age for decades. Drink now-2046+
2015 Pio Cesare, Barolo (RT93+) The 2015 Barolo shows the classicism of the Cesare winery and their world class winemaking. The blend of vineyards – no less than seven from four different municipalities – accentuates the depth and dimension of the bottling as notes of red stone fruit, plums, red currant and licorice ebb and flow from the glass. With time a decided mineral streak rises out of the glass like a rock formation. The mouthfeel is a ripe and round, yet remains taught with acidity, the finish is long and sumptuous with excellent tannin definition. Drink 2022-2035+
2015 Pio Cesare, Barbaresco, Il Bricco (RT94+) Crafted from a precise selection of superbly ripe, estate grown fruit from three different plots in Il Bricco Cru, positioned high in Treiso. Like it’s Classico sister Barbaresco, this too is macerated for 30 days and then aged for 30 months in mostly French Botti with a small amount in barrique. This wine is all about the premium quality of fruit from this superb cru, that sets it firmly apart. Beautifully defined notes of morello cherry, white flowers, nutmeg and violets waft from the glass leading to a mouthfeel that satisfies the soul with its perfect tension, grippy tannins and perfect fruit. Power, masterful tannin and fresh acidity make this a wine to own and cellar! A most delicious vintage of this great, small production Cru bottling. Drink 2025-2045+
2015 Pio Cesare, Barolo, Ornato (RT96+) What a powerhouse Barolo that epitomizes Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove! The fruit for this masterpiece is sourced from the legendary Ornato Cru located near the southern tip of Serralunga. Dating back to its first vintage in 1985, this has been the flagship Barolo of the Cesare estate for decades. This small production wine is harvested from the finest fruit selection in what I consider the finest vineyard plots of the entire estate. The winemaking is classic Pio Cesare: 30 days maceration followed by 30 months in French oak botti with a small amount of barrique, but in this case the barriques are used for just the first 12 months. An alluring bouquet of Serralunga minerality and structure lead the change as its power and heft become immediately evident. Dark cherry, anise, plum and spice create the center from which this wine unwinds to reveal enormous complexity. The mouthfeel is powerful, rich and long as it coats the entirety of your mouth. Stunningly impressive, age this for many decades. Drink 2027-2050+
2015 Pio Cesare, Barolo, Mosconi (RT95+) This is the first vintage of Cru vineyard Mosconi produced by Cesare and the wait has been worth it! Like the Ornato bottling, this wine sees classic Pio Cesare fermentation and elevage with the barriques only being used for the first 12 months. A bit more-high toned in its aromatics, it also reveals more notable minerality than the Ornato, showing its Monforte d’Alba heritage. Notes of deep, ripe black cherry, spiced plums, hints of hazelnuts and dust layer the bouquet. The mouthfeel is decadently rich and luxurious, the ripe tannins and acidity playing perfect counterpoint. While this is but the first vintage of this wine, the masterful winemaking of Pio Cesare has already moved it into a respected, top bottling. I can’t wait to taste the 2016! Drink 2025-2050+
