Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi D.O.C.G. 2019

Pio Cesare have been making wines in their ancient cellars in central Alba for 141 years, from their vineyards based primarily in Barolo and Barbaresco. Today, fifth generation Federica Boffa with her cousin Cesare Benvenuto lead this prestigious estate, after the untimely passing of Pio Boffa in 2021 after 40 years as the face of Pio Cesare. The winegrowing is sustainable and the winemaking largely traditional resulting in wines of great elegance, structure and purity.

The Pio Cesare family’s unique winemaking method stresses minimal intervention to produce wines of particularly supple flavour expression. A ceaseless devotion to the individuality of each of the region’s wines informs Pio Cesare's choices in the cellar: shorter maceration, separate lot fermentation, judicious selection for barrel and large cask aging, and bottling schedules determined by the ideal structure of each wine. This allows Pio Cesare to craft wines of varying weight, ageability and drinkability as determined by the vineyard rather than market fashion.

Mosconi is thought to be one of the true “grand crus” of the commune of Monforte d’Alba, itself one the most prestigious areas within Barolo. Its soils and microclimates allow Nebbiolo to grow exceptionally well and produce styles of Barolo with great structure, incredibly unique and distinctive aromas, and big opulent tannins that are accessible and ripen, silky and rich.

This is a single-vineyard Barolo from grapes sourced from the oldest Nebbiolo vines (1947 and 1971) in the family's famous Mosconi vineyard in Monforte d’Alba at an altitude of 390 metres. The Nebbiolo harvest began mid-October, and immediately showed all the hallmarks of a ‘classic’ year – excellent tannin ripeness and balance, foretelling wines of structure with great aging potential. The grapes are softly crushed and destemmed at the winery's ancient cellars in the centre of Alba. Fermented in two stainless steel tanks for ten days: the skin cap, frequently punched down, reached a maximum temperature of 86°F. Maceration on the skins for over 30 days.

The fruit for the Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi comes from a small selection of the oldest Nebbiolo vines of the family-owned vineyards at the Mosconi, in Monforte d’Alba, one of the most prestigious areas of the entire Barolo region, very well known for great complexity, elegance and longevity. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks. Long skin contact maceration for 30 days at high temperatures. Then aged in big French and Slavonian oak “botti” for at least 2 years; for a small amount in barriques as well.

This is so curated and fine, with a tannin structure that is both sophisticated and racy. Medium to full body. Silky texture with a finish that just takes off. Rose stems and dark fruit, such as plums and strawberries. Some black truffles, too. These are from vineyards planted in 1960 and 1970. Try after 2025. - James Suckling, 96 points.

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Nebbiolo
Country - Italy
Region - Barolo, Piedmont
Vintage - 2019
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%
Closure - Cork