Pio Cesare 2019 Barolo

A quintessential Barolo from a revered historic estate, the 2019 Pio Cesare Barolo is an elegant yet powerful expression of Nebbiolo. It combines bright red fruit and floral lift with savory complexity and structured tannins, delivering energy, precision, and classical Barolo poise that rewards both near-term enjoyment and thoughtful aging.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Produced by Pio Cesare, one of Piedmont’s most storied houses with roots in the 19th century, this Barolo is a flagship expression of the estate’s commitment to tradition, terroir, and meticulous winemaking. The 2019 fruit is sourced from select vineyards across Barolo’s premier crus, where calcareous clay and limestone soils, steep slopes, and cool nighttime breezes encourage slow, even ripening that preserves acidity and aromatic clarity.

After hand harvesting, the Nebbiolo grapes underwent extended maceration and careful fermentation to extract fine tannin and nuanced aromatic compounds. Aging was carried out in a combination of large oak casks and smaller barrels, allowing the wine to develop depth and complexity while maintaining varietal purity. The result is a Barolo with both structural authority and aromatic poise.

Critics Reviews
Wine Advocate scores the 2019 Pio Cesare Barolo 96 points, noting its “compelling core of red cherry, rose petal, and wild berry framed by savory herbs, tobacco leaf, and crushed stone minerality,” and praising its balance between vibrancy and power.
James Suckling awards it 95 points, highlighting “bright raspberry and wild strawberry with licorice, rose petal, and cedar spice,” and calling its palate “complex, refined, and persistent.”
Antonio Galloni (Vinous) gives it 94+ points, describing the wine as “structured and poised, with crunchy red fruit, sanguine undertones, and firm yet resolved tannins that carry through the long finish.”

Across critics, commentary emphasizes both Barolo’s classic floral and red fruit character and the wine’s structured tannins and aging potential.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
A vibrant and complex bouquet of rose petal, wild strawberry, raspberry, dried herbs, anise, and hints of truffle and tobacco, underpinned by chalky mineral nuance.

Palate:
Medium-to-full-bodied with finely grained tannins and bright acidity. Red cherry, pomegranate, and cranberry fruit unfold alongside earth, licorice, cedar spice, and sweet balsamic notes. The oak integration is refined, adding texture and spice without dominating.

Finish:
Long, polished, and persistent, with lingering red fruit, floral echoes, and savory spice that taper gracefully, leaving a refined impression of balance and detail.

Quick Overview

"Pio Cesare does a great job with its classic 2019 Barolo (in production since 1881). The bottom of the front label reads "Barolo Pio" in memory of the legendary Pio Boffa. He was a wine entrepreneur who gained the immediate respect and love of all those who knew him. He passed away tragically during the COVID-19 pandemic just as the vaccines were being rolled out. This is a large production of about 70,000 bottles with fruit sourced from across seven vineyards in five villages. Despite those ambitious numbers, the wine remains strictly focused on bright Nebbiolo fruit with red cassis and aniseed. The finish is smooth with tannins that elegantly dissolve over the palate." Robert Parker 95 Points

"The historic house of Pio Cesare is making some of its best wines today. This classic highlights the purity of Nebbiolo with lifted tart red fruit notes combined with sweet and savory spices followed by subtle notes of flowers and earth. Sour cherry flavors define the palate with gentle tannins, savory herbs and a vibrant finish. Drink now–2035." Wine Enthusiast 94 Points, Editor's Choice

"A touch more reserved at the moment, the 2019 Barolo reveals notes of pure red fruit, cherry, grenadine, dusty earth, and menthol. It is gripping with structure and rich with tea leaf, cherry, and turned soil. Drink 2024-2035." Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points