Pio Cesare Barolo Pio DOCG
Piemonte, Italy
Vintage:2017 (Past)
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Reviews
Wine Enthusiast
93 Points
September 1, 2021, Kerin O'Keefe
“Aromas of dark-skinned berry, underbrush and oak-driven spice mingle with camphor. On the full-bodied palate, notes of licorice and espresso accent a core of juicy black cherry before an almost salty close. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide ample support. Drink 2022–2029.”
The Wine Advocate
94+ Points
June 17, 2021, Monica Larner
“This is the wine to buy in commemoration of the 140th anniversary (1881-2021) of the historic house of Pio Cesare. The most traditional and classic of the wines in this important portfolio, the 2017 Barolo is packaged in a retro label that speaks to all the grandeur of this important Italian wine appellation. The wine imparts delicate and fine tones of wild fruit, cassis, tar, smoke and crushed rose. The wine is buttoned up and straitlaced, especially now in its youth.”
Decanter
93 Points
March 28, 2021, Aldo Fiordelli
“This year's releases are poignant as Pio Boffa recently passed away. This is the estate's classic Barolo, produced with Nebbiolo grapes located in the top plots across different communes since 1881. The wine is floral, focused on violet and rose, with a blood orange touch, yet a darker fruit and chocolatey flavour. Firm, extracted and rugged at present, with a good but austere finish, it will age gracefully.”
JamesSuckling.com
95 Points
March 23, 2021, James Suckling
“Aromas of dried orange, berry and hazelnut with hints of dried flowers. Tar, too. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and a juicy finish. The tannins are very fine and integrated. Chewy and encompassing flow across the palate. Very structured. Try after 2024.”
Overview
The Pio Cesare family’s unique winemaking method stresses minimal intervention to produce wines of particularly supple flavor expression. A ceaseless devotion to the individuality of each of the region’s wines informs Pio Cesare's choices in the cellar: shorter maceration, separate lot fermentation, judicious selection for barrel and large cask aging, and bottling schedules determined by the ideal structure of each wine. This allows Pio Cesare to craft wines of varying weight, ageability and drinkability as determined by the vineyard rather than market fashion.
This Barolo is produced using the classic “formula” used by traditional Barolo families: a wine which embraces and combines each of the unique characteristics of the different terroirs of the appellation, sourcing grapes from the family's multiple vineyards in different communes.
In light of the family's 140th anniversary, the updated label pays homage to the name loyal enthusiasts have given Pio Cesare's Barolo since the 1960s: Barolo Pio!
Winemaking
The grapes are sourced from family-owned vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba (Ornato), Grinzane Cavour (Gustava), La Morra (Roncaglie), Barolo Novello (Ravera), and Monforte d’Alba (Mosconi). Vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks, with skin contact for about 30 days. The wine is aged in mid-toasted French oak for three years: 70 percent in 20 to 50 hectoliter casks; 30 percent in barriques.
Tasting Notes
A classic Barolo vintage: elegant and velvety, with ripe and spicy fruit. Strong yet refined tannins. Good structure and concentration. A very long life ahead!
Harvest Notes
2017 was an exceptional vintage in the Langhe area producing high quality Barolo of great elegance, concentration, power, structure and aging potential. Unlike other great Italian grape varieties, Nebbiolo is characterized by very long roots that grow deep in the powerful limestone and clay soils of our region (especially in the village of Serralunga and Monforte), reaching the moisture and the water reservoirs, resisting the heat in a magnificent way. Therefore, the Nebbiolo vines in 2017 grew without any stress despite the hot climate, reaching a more complete ripening with rounder and softer tannins, producing more approachable wines.
Technical Information
Varietals: 100% Nebbiolo