The Barbaresco Pio Cesare has been around since the 1961 vintage. It is a classic of Piedmontese viticulture. The Nebbiolo grapes for this wine come from different locations in Barbaresco, as is usual with traditional producers, here from Treiso and San Rocco. The expansion is also predominantly traditional and takes place in large wooden vats. However, a small proportion is stored in barriques, which also gives the wine a touch of woody flavor. The taste with structuring tannins remains very classic.
2019 was an extremely warm year, the yield of which was kept low by the winter with very little precipitation. After several heat waves in the summer, a normal September came with high temperature fluctuations between day and night, which promoted the formation of aromas in the grapes. The result was probably the best vintage of the decade together with 2010 and 2016.
The 2019s from Barbaresco have enormous power and substance, the tannins are ripe and the wines have retained their freshness despite the heat. James Suckling gives 95/100 for the Pio Cesare Barbaresco 2019. Quote: "This is a very typical Barbaresco, with a solid core of fruit. Lots of strawberries, cedar and chewy tannins. Full and structured. Excellent length, with the tannins kicking in at the end. This needs at least four or five years of bottle age. Try after 2027."
Optimal drinking
2026 to 2040+
Analytical Data
14.5% ABV
Expansion
in large wooden barrels and a small part in barriques
Grape
100% Nebbiolo
Reviews
95/100 J. Suckling (2019 vintage)
Closure
Natural cork
Type
dry red wine
Distributor: Pio Cesare Società Semplice Agricola, Via C.Balbo 6 12051 ALBA (CN) Produced in Italy - contains sulphites
