Pio Cesare - Barolo 2020 (750ml)

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Price: $84.99

3+ Price: $83.99 / btl

6+ Price: $81.99 / btl

12+ Price: $79.95 /btl

Producer	Pio Cesare
Country	Italy
Region	Piedmont
Varietal	Nebbiolo
Vintage	2020
Sku	109808
Size	750ml

WINEMAKERS NOTES

The grapes are sourced from family-owned vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba (Ornato, la Serra, la Briccolina, Lirano), Grinzane Cavour (Gustava, Garretti), La Morra (Roncaglie), Novello (Ravera), and Monforte d’Alba (Mosconi). Vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks, with skin contact for about 30 days. The wine is aged in mid-toasted French oak for three years: 70 percent in 20 to 50 hectoliter casks; 30 percent in barriques.

Tasting Notes

A traditional vintage delivering fresh fruits and beautiful aromas, with great structure and complexity, intense color and a balanced acidity, already approachable with its gentle tannins—all the classic components of the great vintages of Barolo.

Harvest Notes

2020 has been a remarkably high-quality vintage and our vineyards turned out to be, in such a difficult and challenging year with the explosion of COVID-19, ideal examples of resilience and of the impressive force of Mother Nature, so cruel with human beings yet so full of mercy with the vines. Green harvesting—which kept us busy for almost one whole month, from the end of July to the end of August—was fundamental in 2020: the results of this practice are grapes with more concentration, depth, lower acidity, better phenological ripening and less green tannins. We are very much in love with the intense red fruit of the 2020 vintage—still very young but already very drinkable—rich and complex on the nose with a great depth especially in the Barolos. The delicate use of the oak is very well integrated with the gentle tannins, the aromas and the acidity creating a harmonious balance, especially in the Barbarescos. A superb high-quality and accessible vintage which will as well reveal the great ageing potential of Nebbiolo.

CRITIC ACCLAIM
JS 97

jamessuckling.com, January 2024

ery primary fruit with beautiful aromas of peaches, strawberries, berries and flowers. It’s medium- to full-bodied, with bitter citrus, cedar, chocolate and coffee bean character. Tight at the end. From five villages, primarily Serralunga, Monforte, La Morra, Grinzane Cavour, and Novello. Needs two or three years to open and will age for a very long time.

WA 94

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, January 2025

This wine represents a blend of Nebbiolo from Serralunga d’Alba (Ornato, La Serra and Briccolina), Grinzane Cavour (Gustava and Garretti), La Morra (Roncaglie), Novello (Ravera) and, more recently, Monforte d'Alba (Mosconi). The Pio Cesare 2020 Barolo has an approachable style for sure, with classic Nebbiolo tones of berry fruit, orange peel and licorice. It reveals an integrated and silky personality and tannins that feel very inviting for near and medium-term drinking. - Monica Larner

JD 93

jebdunnuck.com, May 2024

93+ A youthful ripe ruby color, the 2020 Barolo Pio is fresh and inviting, with perfumed aromas of rose petals, spiced strawberries, and dusty earth. Elegant and juicy, it’s easy-drinking, with fine tannins and juicy freshness within a medium-bodied frame, and it has good length for an entry Barolo. It captures all the graceful elements of this vintage and has a tremendous amount of charm as well as a complete feel. Enjoy it now or over the next 10 years. It would be a great by-the-glass offering if the price is right.

WS 93

Wine Spectator, December 2024

A mix of cherry, strawberry, rose, tar and underbrush aromas and flavors highlight this elegant, solidly built red. Supple in texture until dusty tannins emerge on the finish. Shows fine balance overall, with a super long finish. Best from 2027 through 2043. 3,200 cases imported.

KO 92

kerinokeefe.com, January 2024

Dark spice aromas mingle with camphor, sun-warmed hay, botanical herb and violet on the 2020 Barolo Pio. Polished and already accessible, the palate features licorice, crushed mint and wild cherry set against fine-grained tannins.

WE 91

Wine Enthusiast, September 2024

The wine opens with aromas of crushed raspberries and wild cherries kissed with sweet spice and complemented by dried flowers. Elegant and supple on the palate with rounded tannins that yield to the openness of this vintage yet show that the wine has ageability. Drink Now - 2040 — Jeff Porter