Wine Advisor
Pio Cesare, Barolo 2011
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
The 2011 Barolo offers a classic approach to Nebbiolo and has done so consistently for decades. Pio Cesare is a benchmark producer with a production philosophy that remains the same year after year, thus giving ample room to vintage variation. This handsome edition presents a dark fruit profile with black cherry and cassis. The wine evolves slowly in the glass to reveal tarry notes of licorice and light spice. Its delineated and focused approach is reinforced by its streamlined mouthfeel and delicate complexity. Pio Cesare has produced 80,000 bottles of its base Barolo.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
This is a fabulous young Barolo with a purity and beauty that is breathtaking. Full body plus a deep and subtle center palate of strawberry, light cherry and hints of citrus. Really superb. Drink or hold.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Pio Cesare's 2011 Barolo emerges from a handful of sites in and around Ornato, in Serralunga, and Grinzane Cavour. A dark, powerful wine, the 2011 is rich in macerated cherries, hard candy and spices. The intensity and ripeness of the year are evident, but at the same time, the 2011 offers a level of approachability that makes it an excellent choice for drinking over the next decade or so.
About the Producer
Located in the Piedmont region of Italy, Pio is one of the oldest wineries in the region and was named one of Wine Spectator's "10 Best Wineries in the World" in 2002. Pio was founded in 1881 by the current owner's great-great-grandfather, Cesare Pio. He was one of the first winemakers and one of the first to adhere to a philosophy of winemaking dedicated to the terroir of the appellation and to the strict demands of quality. Since its foundation, Château Pio has been guided by a commitment to quality that has remained unchanged through four generations. The winery is currently headed by Boffa Pio, a descendant of the family. Today, Pio has over 50 hectares of vineyards in the best areas of Barolo and Barbaresco. In addition to its own vineyards, Bodegas Pio has established long-term partnerships with professional vintners who are responsible for all aspects of the vineyard's viticultural management. In terms of winemaking, Château Piau, under the leadership of its current owner, Boffa Piau, has pioneered the use of stainless steel tanks for the production of its wines. In addition, the winery reduces the amount of time the grapes are macerated on their skins, thus reducing the tannin content of the wine. What's more, the winery's hygiene standards are strictly controlled, resulting in wines that are very pure. Château Piau has a systematic approach to limiting the production of its wines in order to maintain a consistently high quality. 70% of its production is exported. In recent years, the winery has made several major investments in rebuilding the cellars and renovating the winery's equipment: the Roman Empire-era walls remain in place 12 metres underground; new fermenters have been built to take advantage of gravity and a new barrel ageing room has been installed; and new bottling and labelling equipment has been installed.
