Pio Cesare
Pio Cesare
Cesare Pio founded the family winery now called Pio Cesare in central Alba in 1881, initially making small quantities from the hills of Barolo and Barbaresco. Its working cellars remain in the old city and are crossed by ancient Roman walls, giving production an unusually direct connection to Alba’s history. Family vineyards spread across multiple communes of Barolo and Barbaresco, supporting both traditional multi-site Nebbiolo blends and selected single-vineyard bottlings. The fifth generation, Federica Boffa and her cousin Cesare Benvenuto, now carries the house forward while maintaining its long-established regional style.
Pio Cesare 1964 Barolo
Italian Red
$499.99
Sand and leather appear on the nose, with sweet fruit, rose, nuts and sweet tar. The palate is slaty and soft, with leathery, savoury fruit, sweetness and acidity. Tannins have receded. Smoothness and balance are also present. Cigar, chocolate, smoke and tar accompany this Nebbiolo from Piedmont’s Barolo appellation. The wine is red and listed at 13.5 percent alcohol.
Pio Cesare 1997 Il Bricco Barbaresco
Italian Red
$199.99
Nebbiolo comes from elevated micro-plots in Bricco di Treiso. Fermentation and long skin maceration take place in stainless steel. Ageing lasts nearly twenty-four months in large French and Eastern European oak, with a small share in French barriques. Powerful, structured tannins meet intense spicy fruit, concentration and acidity. Bottle ageing is also part of the production.
Pio Cesare 2009 Barbaresco Il Bricco
Italian Red
$279.99
Ripe and dried black cherry meet rose petal, licorice and sweet spice in the documented profile. Truffle, black pepper, cedar, smoked meat and earth add depth. The palate is dry and full, with fresh acidity, high tannins and a long finish. Almond and oak detail round out a mature Barbaresco that remains structured and savoury.
Pio Cesare 1996 Barolo Ornato
Italian Red
$219.99
Plum, dark cherry and candied fruit lead a ripe, generous bouquet. Dried flowers and savoury meat add mature complexity, while chocolate and spice bring depth. The palate is full and concentrated, with briary berry fruit held in balance by fresh acidity and round, lightly chewy tannins. Long and composed, it closes with dark fruit, cocoa and a persistent earthy finish.
Pio Cesare 2020 Ornato Barolo DOCG
Italian Red
$269.99
Blackberry, damson plum and black cherry lead, accented by violet, cinnamon, nutmeg and dark licorice. The palate is dense and powerful, with firm, fine-grained tannins wrapped around concentrated fruit. Rusty mineral, graphite, smoky notes and bitter citrus bring lift and definition. The finish is thick yet polished, holding its structure through lingering spice, dark fruit and a savoury mineral edge.
Pio Cesare 2010 Barbaresco DOCG
Italian Red
$189.99
Violet, strawberry, raspberry and wild cherry rise with cedar, tar, licorice and balsamic herbs. Elegant yet intense, the palate has ample depth, juicy fruit and bright acidity framed by ripe, firm tannins. Vanilla, cinnamon, mocha and forest-floor notes build through the middle. The finish is long and polished, carrying cherry, licorice and fine savoury detail.
Pio Cesare 2018 Barbaresco DOCG
Italian Red
$154.99
Wild cherry, raspberry, rosehip and black tea open with cedar, tobacco and sweet spice. The palate is medium-bodied and polished, combining vibrant red fruit with lively acidity and refined tannins. Savoury forest-floor notes and iron add depth without weighing down the fruit. The finish is broad, velvety and persistent, leaving rose, tea and earthy detail in balance.
Pio Cesare Barolo Chinato NV
Italian Dessert
$189.99
Aromatic mountain herbs lead with cloves, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and bright orange zest. The palate is rich and layered, balancing measured sweetness with quinine bitterness and the firm structure of its Barolo base. Molasses and cardamom add depth without overwhelming the herbal lift. The finish is long and warming, lingering on citrus, spice and a clean bittersweet edge.
Pio Cesare 2015 Barolo Mosconi Nebbiolo
Italian Red
$254.99
Wild berry and bright red fruit lead, joined by red liquorice, balsamic herbs and a measured earthy note. The palate feels light on its feet despite its depth, with juicy fruit carried by a precise, finely drawn structure. Crushed stone brings mineral definition, while the savoury detail remains clean and composed. The finish is persistent and balanced, returning to red fruit, herbs and liquorice.