Pio Cesare Barbaresco is a prestigious wine from the renowned Pio Cesare winery, established in 1881. Located in the heart of Piedmont, Italy, this family-owned winery has a long history of crafting exceptional wines. The Barbaresco is made from carefully selected Nebbiolo grapes, which thrive in the region's unique terroir. This wine embodies the dedication and craftsmanship that the Pio Cesare family has upheld for generations.
The Barbaresco is known for its elegance and complexity. It showcases the rich flavors and aromas typical of the Nebbiolo grape. With meticulous attention to detail in both the vineyard and the cellar, Pio Cesare produces a wine that is a true representation of its origins. The aging process in oak barrels adds depth and character, allowing the wine to develop its signature style.
Aroma: The nose reveals notes of dark cherry, plum, and floral hints, complemented by subtle earthy undertones.
Taste: On the palate, it offers a harmonious balance of ripe fruit flavors, with a touch of spice and well-integrated tannins.
Finish: The finish is long and persistent, leaving a lingering impression of fruit and a delicate minerality.
96 James Suckling Very fine and polished with plum, strawberry and cedar aromas as well as an iodine, sea shell and chocolate undertone. Medium body, ultra-fine tannins and a beautiful finish. It’s poised and gorgeous. Such brightness and finesse with structure. So attractive now but will reward patience. Try after 2028.
93 Wine Enthusiast Earthy and herbaceous, with hints of fruit leaves and a luscious aroma reminiscent of strawberry and red currant jam. Freshly ground spices add depth, including sweet cinnamon and savory thyme. On the palate, encounter a vintage charm with dried cherries, wild herbs, and elegant tannins, evoking the timeless allure of an old-school classic that is delicious now but will refine with age.Editors' Choice
93 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Cesare Benvenuto of Pio Cesare tells me that what he loves most about the 2020 vintage is that it is, in his word: contemporary. "You can drink the wines immediately, the tannins are silky and hydrated and Nebbiolo shows a lovely quality of fruit," he says. The 2020 Barbaresco is a blend from four family-owned parcels in Treiso (Il Bricco, San Stefanetto and Bongiovanni) and Alba (Rocche di Massalupo), but 70% of the fruit is from Il Bricco, specifically from the higher part of the vineyard that extends over 400 meters in elevation. Fermentation is in stainless steel with gentle cap management and one month on the skins. The wine ages in oak for 30 months, with 90% of it going into botti, and 10% going into neutral barrique. Starting with the 2022 vintage, Austrian oak was introduced. This is a pretty wine with bright fruit, animating acidity and a silky finish.
92 Jeb Dunnuck Ripe ruby-colored, the 2020 Barbaresco Pio offers a lovely floral nose with notes of fresh cherries, roses, raspberries, and wet stones. Supple and midweight, it has a refined and stony texture, with fine tannins, a weightless feel, and a gorgeous fresh apricot perfume on the back palate. There’s a lot to love with this wine, and it’s going to have a wide drinking window over the next 10 years.
