BRIEF TASTING AT PIO CESARE - Alba, Piedmont, Italy (10/21/2015)
A friend was able to arrange us a visit and brief tasting at the historic Pio Cesare estate in Alba. The winery has to be one of the largest producers in Piedmont (400k+ bottles) with a fascinating facility that is part modern state-of-the-art winery and part historic snapshot into history. The tour of the never-ending cellars was fascinating including a glimpse at the Roman empire era city walls far below ground and the cellar of ancient Barolos dating back to the early 1900s. The two wines we tasted were quite nice and polished.
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2011 Pio Cesare Barbaresco - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
35% in barrique (1/3 new) with the rest in cask. Full with fresh black cherry and spice notes. Juicy on entry with a lively and energetic cut. Medium to full bodied. Polished fruit. Spice filled finish. 90-92 (90 pts.) -
2011 Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
70% in new french barrique and 30% in casks. Tighter aromatics. Takes some coaxing to tease out black cherry, plum and an underlying earth/tar note. Very non-delineated nose at this point. Palate is full bodied with layers of texture. Red and black fruit. Sweet and suave tannins. Definitely has an oak polish and oak-driven spice/toast on the back end. I’m no expert, but my guess is the oak integrates into the fuller bodied fruits with time. 91-93 (92 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
Sign at the Entrance
Pressed Skins Ready to turn into Grappa
Cask Room Far Below the Streets of Alba
The Ancient House Cellar
1909 !!
