Pio Cesare

http://www.piocesare.it/

Since founded in Alba in 1881, the family of Pio Cesare has linked its name to those great wines of Piedmont.  It has always been the family's intention to remain a small firm whose only goal it the maintenance of quality at the highest levels. Through the now five generations of Pios, the absolute fidelity to tradition makes the wines of Pio Cesare incomparable.  Their labels are a guarantee of wines of exceptional quality.

Arneis Langhe DOC 2007 (Alberta)

Arneis is an ancient native grape variety of the Langhe and Roero districts. In the past 20 years the cultivation of the Arneis grape has been widely developed in both districts. Very popular in the area, Arneis is normally light in style and short in life.

 

The proprietors decided to produce a wine with a difference; one with complexity, depth, aromas and of a much longer life. From a scrupulous selection of grapes from the Estate's vineyards in the Langhe hills, the same as those of Barolo and Barbaresco, to the long fermentation on the lees at a controlled temperature arises a wine with a delicate bouquet, intense fragrant fruit, a compact round body, a long finish and very good ageing potential.

 

Medium bodied with melon, lemon and apple aromas and flavours.  Versitile with appetizers and at the table.

SKU 366161

Barbaresco DOCG 2003 (Alberta)

If Barolo is the "King" of Italian wines, then Barbaresco is the "Queen."

 

Produced from only perfect bunches of 100% Nebbiolo grapes almost exclusively from the Pio vineyards near the village of Treiso blended with other small quantities from the best vineyards in Barbaresco and S. Rosso Seno d'Elvio.

 

It has a soft tempting grace about it and is truly elegant. Glossy garnet red with light ruby shades. It is intense and fragrant, with evidence of violets and morello and pleasant memories of cinnamon and vanilla. Dry, full and vigorous with a background of peach stone. Powerful.

 

  91 Points  "Fresh and grapey, with light plum and flowers. Full-bodied, with delicious fruit, vanilla and strawberry character and a long finish. Hard not to drink it now. Best after 2008. 3,200 cases made." –JS

SKU 359695

Barbaresco Il Bricco DOCG 2003 (Alberta)

Il Bricco is the name of the family estate vineyard in Treiso in the area of Barbaresco. In the Piedmont dialect it means the peak of a hill.

 

The traditional Barbaresco is made from the Nebbiolo grapes of this vineyard. However, in 1990, it was decided that certain plots of this vineyard could certainly produce a single vineyard Barbaresco of exceptional quality to produced only in outstanding years.

 

The characteristics of the soil, the very low yields, severe selection of the fruit, unique wine making techniques have all contributed to this incomparable Barbaresco. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks with a maceration slightly shorter that the traditional Barbaresco and then refined in small new oak barrels. The resulting wine is very deep red/purple in colour with intense aromas of red fruit. The tannins are sweet and mellow yet complex and elegant. A wine of great complexity and structure, it is drinking now but has a very long ageing potential.

 

  92 Points  'Lots of plum and blackberry aromas, with hints of wood. Full-bodied, with vanilla and fruit character and a long, flavorful finish. Layered and impressive. Best after 2008. 520 cases made.' –JS

SKU 389940

Barbera d'Alba DOC 2007 (Alberta)

Grown in the same geographical areas (Serralunga and Treiso) as the Barolo and Barbaresco perhaps explains the classical and noble touch of this Barbera, The carefully selected, hand picked grapes are fermented at a controlled 24-25°C for 10 to 12 days and then refined in Slavonian oak casks of various capacity for a minimum of two years and a further year in bottle before release.

 

A wine with a unique wild energy yet has the refinement of the Barolo.  It is intense ruby red with garnet reflections with a nose of fresh ripe red fruit.  A remarkably smooth, and refined palate makes this bright wine suitable for a variety of past and meat dishes.

SKU 349787

Barbera d'Alba Fides DOC 2005 (Alberta)

In the early 1990's, it was noted that in outstanding years certain plots of the the estate vineyards in Serralunga produced some extraordinary fruit.  It was decided that a "cru" Barbera should be made.

 

A Barbera with great intensity of colour and flavour, power and complexity it is harmonious and well balanced in its soft tannins and correct acidity. It is enjoyable now but has superior ageing potential.

SKU 552760

Barolo DOCG 2003 (Alberta)

Barolo is considered to be the "King" of Italian wines. That of Pio Cesare is probably the most traditional of the Barolos on the market today.

 

Produced from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown in the family vineyards in at Serralunga and other small favourable parcels, the clusters are hand selected one by one then soft pressed. Aged in oak longer than is required by the D.O.C.G., the wine is full bodied with extraordinary finesse on the palate and a potential for great longevity.

 

  92 Points  "An Intense, glossy garnet red in colour with faint orange reflections. Elegant scents of withered violets, blackberry jam, and faint hues of liquorice and clove. Dry and austere, slightly tannic with a background of roasted almonds.

Has fabulous blackberry and mineral, with hints of toasty oak. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Very concentrated, yet racy and structured. Resembles the 2000. Gorgeous. Best after 2009. 6,000 cases made" –JS

 

SKU 701177

Barolo DOCG 2004 (Alberta)

Barolo is considered to be the "King" of Italian wines. That of Pio Cesare is probably the most traditional of the Barolos on the market today.  Produced from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown in the family vineyards in at Serralunga and other small favourable parcels.

 

  94 Points  "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 

Rank #6 Wine Spectator Top 100, 2008 

SKU 350546

Barolo Ornato DOCG 2003 (Alberta)

This wine is named after the Estate vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba.

 

The grapes from this vineyard go into the production of the traditional Barolo but, in 1985, it was decided that a few carefully selected Nebbiolo grapes from small corner of this vineyard would go into making a limited released wine that reflected the marvellous and the greatest characteristics of the Estates soil.

 

Produced only in exceptional years, this Barolo is a big, deep, round, austere wine the has an incredibly long life but is already pleasant, harmonious and drinkable now.

Only 6000 bottles made.

 

  93 Points   "Impressive. This inky black, thick, ripe, rich and supple Barolo is balanced and appealing from start to finish. Full-bodied, it delivers spice and oak-scented aromas (mocha, coffee and grilled meat) plus good acidity and firm tannins that coat the palate on the chewy finish. Even better than when tasted from the barrel. Drink now through 2015. 1,000 cases made." –PM

SKU 359703

Gavi DOC 2008 (Alberta)

Also known as Cortese, it is considered the only "real" white wine in Piedmont. Produced is small quantities, it is a wine with an elegant and refined scent, a savoury and lively taste and a wide and harmonious body.  It has nothing in common with a flimsy white wine.

 

Clear straw yellow in colour with slight green reflections.  An intense and ethereal bouquet reminding us of ripe fruit, green apples and moss.  It has a palate that is full and soft, correctly flavoured with a daring background of green fruit. It lasts on the palate and ages well.

 

  87 Points  A vibrant, vivid Gavi with lemon, ash and mineral aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, with good fruit and a lively finish. Drink now. 4,160 cases made. –JS

SKU 359711

Il Nebbio vdt 2007 (Alberta)

The first Pio anticipated by more than 100 years, the taste for fruity an young wines that are so popular today, when he decided to produce a lighter wine for himself and his friends that could be drunk early and preferably "fresh" (cool) but one that could live on in the bottle.

 

Made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes it is macerated in part prior to vinification. Not wood aged, it is bottled as early as the spring following the harvest, its characteristic fruitiness and youth are preserved for more than a year.� Then it slowly draws closer to the traditional Nebbiolo wines and for the following 3 to 4 years retains unaltered its gifts of freshness and class.

SKU 366153