2019 Pio Cesare Barolo
A traditional vintage delivering fresh fruits and beautiful aromas, with great structure and complexity, intense color and a balanced acidity, with sharp tannins but already approachable—all the classic components of the great outstanding vintages of Barolo.
Pio Cesare is one of those legendary names in Piedmont wine production, in part because they've been doing great work for so long. The venerable winery was founded in 1881 by Cesare Pio, an Alba native and visionary who believed in the beauty of his homeland and its ability to express that glory through her wines. Now, five winegrowing generations later, the estate is as impressive as ever! When you get a producer of this caliber making wines in a near perfect vintage you know it is a safe bet. Pio Boffa is Pio Cesare's winemaker who is leading the modern winemaking charge - his wines are supple and rich in flavor without sacrificing their inherent individuality. The progressive winemaking style has tended towards shorter maceration of grapes, separate lot fermentations, judicious selection for barrel and large cask aging, and bottling schedules determined by the ideal structure of each wine.
Wine Advocate
Pio Cesare does a great job with its classic 2019 Barolo (in production since 1881). The bottom of the front label reads "Barolo Pio" in memory of the legendary Pio Boffa. He was a wine entrepreneur who gained the immediate respect and love of all those who knew him. He passed away tragically during the COVID-19 pandemic just as the vaccines were being rolled out. This is a large production of about 70,000 bottles with fruit sourced from across seven vineyards in five villages. Despite those ambitious numbers, the wine remains strictly focused on bright Nebbiolo fruit with red cassis and aniseed. The finish is smooth with tannins that elegantly dissolve over the palate.
James Suckling
Lovely perfumes of flowers, fresh strawberries and raspberries follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate with fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Citrus and spice undertones. Finishes long and intense. Tannic finish.