Name: Pio Cesare Barolo 2016 750ml
Brand: Pio Cesare
SKU: 891729
Price: 73.95 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 93.7 (7 reviews)

Winery

Pio Cesare

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Varietal

Nebbiolo

The Nebbiolo grape varietal is widely understood to be the fruit responsible for Italy's finest aged wines. However, its popularity and reliability as a grape which gives out outstanding flavors and aromas has led it to be planted in many countries around the world, with much success. These purple grapes are distinguishable by the fact that they take on a milky dust as they begin to reach maturity, leading many to claim that this is the reason for their unusual name, which means 'fog' in Italian. Nebbiolo grapes produce wines which have a wide range of beautiful and fascinating flavors, the most common of which are rich, dark and complex, such as violet, truffle, tobacco and prunes. They are generally aged for many years to balance out their characteristics, as their natural tannin levels tend to be very high.

Country

Italy

There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.

Region

Piedmont

Situated in the north-western part of Italy, the region of Piedmont is known worldwide and is highly respected for the quality of the wines produced there. Many of the most successful sub-regions in Piedmont produce many of the world's finest red wines, such as those made from the excellent Nebbiolo grape varietal in areas such as Barolo and Barbaresco. However, the historic wineries which typify this region use a relatively wide variety of grapes, including Dolcetto and Barbera for their red wines, which are typically aged and have a delightful velvety character. Piedmont isn't all about beautifully complex red wines, though, as it is also famed for high quality, elegant sparkling wines, notably the Asti wines made with the white Moscato grape. The region benefits from a range of terroirs which are often well expressed in the sparkling wines, and a wonderfully consistent climate ideal for vineyard cultivation.

Appellation

Barolo

Barolo’s star grape is Nebbiolo, a finicky yet expressive variety that reaches its zenith this unique terroir. The region’s distinct microclimates and soils contribute to Nebbiolo’s complexity, resulting in wines with robust tannins, high acidity, and exceptional aging potential. Barolo wines, often referred to as “the king of wines,” are characterized by their deep garnet hue and complex bouquet, offering aromas of roses, tar, truffles, and red fruit. The aging process is significant, requiring at least 38 months, with a minimum of 18 months spent in wooden casks. This meticulous craftsmanship results in wines that evolve beautifully over time, displaying a harmonious balance of power and finesse. For wine enthusiasts, exploring Barolo provides a captivating journey into the rich tapestry of Italian winemaking, showcasing the profound marriage of tradition, terroir, and Nebbiolo’s distinctive expression.

WE 96pts

Wine Enthusiast

Enticingly fragrant, this wine offers alluring scents of iris, rose, perfumed berry and wild herb. It's full bodied and elegant, delivering crushed raspberry, juicy Marasca cherry, star anise and orange zest set against a backbone of taut, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and lends intensity. Drink 2024–2036. (Editors' Choice)

WA 95pts

Wine Advocate

Traditionalists happily fall back to this wine from Pio Cesare. This historic winery, now in its fifth generation and located within the city limits of Alba, takes care to shape a classic interpretation without too many extra bells or whistles. The fact that Pio Cesare now has the flashier Barolo Ornato and the newly created Barolo Mosconi, only gives more importance to this wine. The Pio Cesare 2016 Barolo offers deep, dark fruit with a mingling of spice, smoke, tar and smoke. This wine represents a blend of fruit from five comuni, or villages: Cascina Ornato, La Serra and Briccolina in Serralunga d'Alba; Gustava and Garretti in Grinzane Cavour; Roncaglie in La Morra; Ravera in Novello; and starting with the 2015 vintage, Mosconi in Monforte d’Alba. An ample 60,000 bottles were produced.

JS 95pts

James Suckling

Pretty sweetness and ripeness to this with cherries, dried strawberries and chocolate. It’s full-bodied with round, firm tannins. Very long and intense. A little tight now. Complex and subtle at this stage. Give it two or three years to come around. Try after 2022.

JD 95pts

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2016 Barolo has resinous aromas of pine, dried wild strawberry, and dried herbs. The palate reveals ripe cherry fruit that is persistent on the mid-palate, with firm, angular tannic grip, dried herbs and balsamic. Hold in the cellar 2-5 years and drink 2024-2046.

VM 92pts

Vinous Media

The 2016 Barolo is a terrific example of the year. Bright acids and veins of supporting tannins give the 2016 its super-classic feel. Sweet red cherry fruit, chalk, mint, dried flowers, cedar, anise and sweet pipe tobacco all grace this translucent, mid-weight Barolo. Best of all, the 2016 can be enjoyed with just a few more years in bottle. It is a gorgeous wine and a good relative value within Barolo.

DC 92pts

Decanter

Widely sourced, from family-owned vineyards in Novello and Grinzane Cavour as well as more celebrated villages, this Barolo shows admirable opulence on the nose, with sweet cherry fruit but no trace of jamminess. Firm and spicy, it displays excellent vigour and presence, and shows more weight and perhaps better balance than the Barbaresco, and good acidity gives persistence and refinement. Long.

WS 91pts

Wine Spectator

Lean and taut, showing macerated cherry, eucalyptus and iron flavors. It's ripe and the tannins are well-integrated. Just a bit shy on the finish today, but a year or two in the bottle should take care of that. Best from 2022 through 2036. 5,800 cases made, 2,566 cases imported.

Winery Notes

A classic style Barolo. Excellent structure, harmony and elegance. Soft tannins and balanced fruit. Approachable, but with a very long ageing potential. Barolo is a great wine, which should not be described as a “basic” or “regular” Barolo, simply because it does not have any additional indication on the label.

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