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GRAPE VARIETY: NEBBIOLO 100 %

VINEYARDS: Sourced from family owned vineyards in Serralunga d'Alba (Ornato), Grinzane Cavour (Gustava), La Morra (Roncaglie), Barolo  -Novello (Ravera). The balance of the grapes comes from other exclusive vineyards owned by "growers" who have been providing grapes to the Pio Family for generations..

VINIFICATION: In stainless steel tanks. Skin contact for about 20 days.

AGEING:  In mid toasted French oak for 3 years: 70% in 20 to 50 hectoliters casks; 30% in barriques.

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A classic Barolo. Excellent structure and harmony, mild tannins and balanced fruit. It is immediately approachable, but it has a very long ageing potential.

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95 Points & "Cellar Selection" - Wine Enthusiast Magazine:
"Pio Cesare and the 2007 vintage marry beautifully to produce a layered, opulent, textured, rich wine that is bursting with zesty red fruit, sassy spice, leather and toasted espresso bean. What really sets this wine apart is the dense smoothness of its texture. Save this bottle in your cellar 10 years or more." —M.L.  (9/1/2011) 

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2007 Barolo is inviting, sweet and open, yet has plenty of underlying tannins to provide support. It shows terrific balance in a style that reconciles the traditionalist leanings of this bottling with the ripe quality of the year. Sweet hints of tobacco, spices, leather and herbs add complexity on the textured yet grippy finish. Pio Cesare’s straight Barolo doesn’t seem to get the attention or spotlight it deserves, but it has truly been one of Piedmont’s under the radar jewels for some time. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2022." - Antonio Galloni (Oct 2011)

91+ Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
"Good deep red.  Very closed but pure nose offers currant, marzipan, mocha and a whiff of truffle.  Quite sweet on the front half and almost surprisingly round and opulent.  Then turns more dry and classic toward the back, finishing with serious, dusty, fine-grained tannins.  This will need at least a few years of patience." - (Nov/Oct '11)

90 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:
"This round red is full of sweet cherry and plum flavors, with hints of licorice and spices. The richness is offset by dense tannins, and there's a touch of heat on the finish. Best from 2013 through 2022. 2,800 cases imported." –BS (Nov 15, 2011)

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2006 vintage):
"The 2006 Barolo offers up a super-classic profile of tar, roses, raspberries and licorice, all wrapped around a firm core of tannins. Fresh and vibrant throughout, the Barolo impresses for its superb balance and poise. Deceptively medium in body, the wine sneaks up on the mid-palate, gaining more and more volume through to the finish. There is the subtlest hint of French oak that points to the slightly updated style the estate is going for with this bottling, but not enough to detract from the classic feel. This is a magnificent, impeccable Barolo from Pio Cesare, but it will be even better in a few years. The estate’s Barolo is made from a number of vineyards in Serralunga, Grinzane Cavour, La Morra, Novello and other villages. The wine is aged mostly in cask, although 30% sees French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031." - Antonio Galloni (12/2010)

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine (2006 vintage):
"Here is a classic expression of Barolo from a very good vintage that opens with bright fruit aromas that are embellished by carefully measured oak tones. You’ll recognize blackberry, cassis, tobacco, mineral, cola and humus. The tannins are young and this wine requires more years of bottle aging." - M.L. (12/1/2010)

91-93 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (2006 vintage):
"Good deep red. Sweet but lower-toned aromas of mocha and nuts. Powerful, broad and rich, with a plush texture to the flavors of plum, coffee and mocha. There's something distinctly old school about this wine and yet there's a pliancy to the middle palate. Finishes with suave, building tannins that reach the front teeth." - Stephen Tanzer (Nov/Dec 09)

94 Points, "Highly Recommended" & Rank #6 Top 100 Wines of 2008 - Wine Spectator Magazine (2004 vintage):
"Extremely attractive aromas of blackberry, fresh mushroom and mahogany. Full-bodied, with lovely fruit, soft tannins and a long finish. Chewy, yet balanced and pretty. Builds on the palate. A big and juicy red. Best after 2010. 7,000 cases made." –JS (9/30/2008)