The 2022 Barolo Pio pours a medium ruby hue and has a beautiful perfume of cherry cordial, spice, and incense. This flagship bottling blends fruit from nine vineyards, with significant portions coming from Serralunga and Monforte d’Alba, along with parcels in Novello, La Morra, and Grinzane Cavour. Medium-bodied, it expands across the palate with surprising levity, ripe tannins, refreshing acidity, and very good length. Drink 2026-2038.

One of the best Barolos that Pio has ever made. A perfumed wine, slightly but pleasantly old-fashioned and full of personality. Open, generous aromas of mint, flowers, wild strawberries and pomegranate join vibrant violets and bergamot. Full-bodied and very juicy with firm, grainy tannins, well integrated and polished. Delicious licorice flavor, a bit chocolaty, with persistent acidity and a savory umami finish. Impressive and classic. Drink or hold.

The 2021 Barolo Mosconi is another superb wine from Pio Cesare. Dark red fruit, iron, white pepper, incense, tobacco, licorice, dried herbs and rose petal all hit the palate. This brawny Barolo captures all the structural intensity of Mosconi so well. The more classic style Pio Cesare favors these days goes a long way in balancing much of that intense, unbridled power.

The 2021 Barolo Ornato hits the palate with copious dark-toned fruit, gravel, incense, new leather, licorice, graphite and scorched earth. This potent Serralunga Barolo is quite backward, but all the elements are very nicely balanced just the same. It's classic Serralunga all the way.

The 2021 Barbaresco Il Bricco caresses the palate with crushed raspberry, cinnamon, rose petal, cedar, sweet spice and pipe tobacco. Sensual at first, the 2021 is deceptive, as it packs a pretty substantial punch of acidity, tannin and overall structure. I find it absolutely beguiling and wonderfully complex right out of the gate.