Pio Cesare Barolo, 2019

Pio Cesare's classic 2019 Barolo showcases extraordinary elegance and character, earning 95 points from Wine Advocate. This traditional Nebbiolo from the historic house (established 1881) offers bright red fruit, aniseed, and silky tannins. Sourced from seven vineyards across five villages, the wine honors the legacy of the late Pio Boffa while demonstrating exceptional structure and aging potential through 2042.

Technical Information

• Producer: Pio Cesare
• Appellation: Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
• Vintage: 2019
• Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Production: 70,000 bottles (5,800 cases made, 3,500 cases imported)
• Aging Potential: 2024-2042
• Aging: Still needs one year in oak for optimal maturation
• Vineyard Source: Seven vineyards across five villages

Tasting Notes This vintage has extraordinary elegance, complexity and character. The silky and intense bouquet leads to a full-bodied palate with great structure, refined tannins, and incredible aging potential, showcasing a precise and classic Nebbiolo style. The wine displays bright red cassis and aniseed, with tannins that elegantly dissolve over the palate. Lifted tart red fruit notes are combined with sweet and savory spices, followed by subtle floral and earth elements. Sour cherry flavors define the palate with gentle tannins, savory herbs and a vibrant finish.

Winery Notes A classic style Barolo with excellent structure, harmony and elegance. Soft tannins and balanced fruit create a wine that is approachable now but with very long aging potential. Pio Cesare emphasizes that this Barolo should not be described as "basic" or "regular" simply because it doesn't have additional indications on the label—it is a great wine in its own right.

Producer Background The historic house of Pio Cesare (established in 1881) is making some of its best wines today. The 2019 vintage is labeled "Barolo Pio" in memory of the legendary Pio Boffa, 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.

Critical Acclaim

• Wine Advocate (95 Points): "Pio Cesare does a great job with its classic 2019 Barolo. Despite ambitious production 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." - Monica Larner, August 24, 2023

• Wine Enthusiast (94 Points): "The historic house of Pio Cesare is making some of its best wines today. This classic highlights the purity of Nebbiolo with lifted tart red fruit notes combined with sweet and savory spices followed by subtle notes of flowers and earth. Sour cherry flavors define the palate with gentle tannins, savory herbs and a vibrant finish. Drink now-2035." - Jeff Porter, November 1, 2023

• Wine Spectator (92 Points): "A savory version, displaying macerated cherry and currant fruit aligned with eucalyptus, rosemary and earth flavors. Dense and lively, ending with a solid grip of tannins. Fresh and on the austere side. Best from 2026 through 2042." - Bruce Sanderson, July 10, 2023

• Jeb Dunnuck (92 Points): "A touch more reserved at the moment, the 2019 Barolo reveals notes of pure red fruit, cherry, grenadine, dusty earth, and menthol. It is gripping with structure and rich with tea leaf, cherry, and turned soil. Drink 2024-2035." - Jeb Dunnuck