Pio Cesare
About Pio Cesare
Founded in 1881 and run since then by five generations of the family. This is traditional Piemonte producer making wine from ancient cellars in the heart of the old town of Alba. Pio Cesare is amongst the most historic wineries in Piemonte, and also one of the largest, with 75ha of vines across Barolo and Barbaresco.
Five generations of the family have been producing traditional Piemontese wines in ancient cellars. The growers have supplied to the family since their early years ensuring the consistently high quality of their Barolo and Barbaresco.
Pio Cesare is amongst the most historic wineries in Piedmont. Their long history of creating age-worthy, classic bottlings has made them “a "lighthouse" winery” in the words of the Wine Advocate, and it is hard to imagine a more steadfast producer within this most famous of Italian regions.

Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£630.29 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 88-91 (VN (ST)) |
Inc. VAT
£260.65 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (88-91)Deep ruby-red. Rather inky, closed nose hints at rose petal and black fruits. Sweet and firmly structured but quite backward and ungiving today; hint of licorice. Showing less middle today than the '98 Barolo, and thus comes across as a bit more astringent on the finish. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£779.38 |
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Vinous (94)Bright red cherries, plums, spices, orange peel, tobacco and leather are some of the many notes that meld together in the 2010 Barbaresco. Lifted and aromatic on the palate, the 2010 impresses for its balance and total sense of class. Firm tannins support the classic-feeling finish. All of the classic Nebbiolo signatures are on display. Pio Cesare's Barbaresco is made from three sites in Treiso. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£949.78 |
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Vinous (95)Pio Cesare’s 2016 Barbaresco is, quite simply, everything Barbaresco should be. Medium in body and translucent, with a firm backbone of youthful Nebbiolo tannin, the 2016 is captivating from the very first taste. Rose petal, lavender, mint, blood orange and red berry fruit open effortlessly. This is textbook Barbaresco. I loved it. |
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|
Piedmont | 10 | - |
Inc. VAT
£407.09 |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | - |
Inc. VAT
£393.89 |
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|
Piedmont | 12 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£386.89 |
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Vinous (94)The 2016 Barbaresco Il Bricco, from Pio Cesare’s vineyard in Treiso, is gorgeous. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, mint, cinnamon and star anise all flesh out in the glass, with an extra kick of warmth (not heat) that gives the wine a real sense of breadth. Best of all, the 2016 will drink well with minimal cellaring, although it certainly has the substance to age well for some time to come. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£1,952.98 |
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Vinous (94)The 2016 Barbaresco Il Bricco, from Pio Cesare’s vineyard in Treiso, is gorgeous. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, mint, cinnamon and star anise all flesh out in the glass, with an extra kick of warmth (not heat) that gives the wine a real sense of breadth. Best of all, the 2016 will drink well with minimal cellaring, although it certainly has the substance to age well for some time to come. |
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|
Piedmont | 18 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£1,046.44 |
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Vinous (94)The 2016 Barbaresco Il Bricco, from Pio Cesare’s vineyard in Treiso, is gorgeous. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, mint, cinnamon and star anise all flesh out in the glass, with an extra kick of warmth (not heat) that gives the wine a real sense of breadth. Best of all, the 2016 will drink well with minimal cellaring, although it certainly has the substance to age well for some time to come. |
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|
Piedmont | 9 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£477.64 |
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Vinous (94)The 2018 Barbaresco Il Bricco is a worthy follow-up to the stellar 2017. Menthol, licorice, gravel, incense and a range of deeply-pitched spice notes open first, but it is the wine's overall depth that I find especially alluring. Racy and complex, yet so refined, the 2018 has a ton to offer. Best of all, it can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. It's a gorgeous Barbaresco that captures the essence of Treiso. |
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|
Piedmont | 3 | - |
Inc. VAT
£650.69 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VT) |
Inc. VAT
£708.04 |
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Vintage Tastings (93)had a sandy and leathery nose with sweet Burgundian fruit. Yarom noted how 'it looks and smells like Burgundy,' and there were many similarities. Aromas of rose, nuts and sweet tar pointed towards Nebbiolo. Its palate was very mature with a slaty, soft finish. Its fruit was leathery, beefy and sweet in those regards. There were no tannins left, just fruit and acidity, and that was ok. Still balanced and beautifully smooth and tasty, there were traces of cigar, chocolate, smoke and tar to this deliciously mature Nebbiolo |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£737.09 |
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Vinous (93)Pio Cesare’s 1978 Barolo was another surprise for a number of reasons. Unbeknownst to me, proprietor Pio Boffa decided to attend the dinner. Boffa added invaluable first hand commentary on the region and a number of the wines. His 1978 Barolo showed beautifully, as I thought it would, based on my previous tastings. Pio Cesare’s Barolo is another wine made from multiple vineyards, an approach that today is sadly pretty much non-existent. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£454.84 |
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Wine Advocate (95)The Pio Cesare 2013 Barolo offers all of the plentiful qualities that make this such a memorable vintage. Because the growing season was slightly cooler compared to the two years preceding it, 2013 offers a great sense of freshness and brightness. Fruit was sourced from seven different vineyard sites (with much of it coming from Serralunga d'Alba). Starting in 2015, Monforte d'Alba fruit will be added. The tannins are tightly integrated within the firm fabric of the wine. Yet, the finish is round and supple. This Barolo offers characteristic aromas of wild berry, black truffle and cola. It is executed in a very traditional style with botte grande and a tiny part barrique to give the wine a tad more oxygen during its integration and aging process. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£366.04 |
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Vinous (92)The 2016 Barolo is a terrific example of the year. Bright acids and veins of supporting tannins give the 2016 its super-classic feel. Sweet red cherry fruit, chalk, mint, dried flowers, cedar, anise and sweet pipe tobacco all grace this translucent, mid-weight Barolo. Best of all, the 2016 can be enjoyed with just a few more years in bottle. It is a gorgeous wine and a good relative value within Barolo. |
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|
Piedmont | 10 | - |
Inc. VAT
£407.09 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£384.04 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£459.62 |
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James Suckling (98)Incredibly perfumed with unique aromas of white truffles, peaches, dark berries and dried flowers. Fresh and bright. Full body, very silky tannins and a long and gorgeous finish. So progressive and seamless. Magnificent. First vintage of this single vineyard wine. Only 5,000. Starting drinking in 2023. |
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|
Piedmont | 13 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£577.22 |
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James Suckling (97)Really attractive blue fruit and flowers with hints of minerals. Full-bodied, very tight and sexy with super fine tannins, at the same time. A structured and racy young wine. Better after 2021. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£376.82 |
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Vinous (95)The 2017 Barolo Mosconi is a beautiful, translucent wine that expresses too much of the best this site has to offer. Iron, dried herbs, chalk and white pepper give the Mosconi its signature aromatic profile. Pio Cesare's Mosconi is the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. It's mid-weight structure and light (even for Nebbiolo) color can be deceiving. There is certainly plenty of punch here. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£397.94 |
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Vinous (95)The 2018 Barolo Mosconi is superb. It offers up a complex mélange of rose petal, dried herbs, iron, graphite, smoke, incense, scorched earth and blood orange, capturing all the complexity that makes the best Barolos from this site so compelling. Powerful and deep, yet also quite elegant, the 2018 is another fine Barolo from an estate that has undergone a pretty significant stylistic shift over the last handful of years. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 92+ (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£483.60 |
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Vinous (92+)(this ages in 75% new barriques while the classico get 35% new barriques and the rest botti Deep saturated red. Red berries and a hint of game on the nose. Dense and sweet on entry, then big, rich and mouthfilling. Really mounts slowly and takes over the palate. Finishes with firm but noble Serralunga tannins and subtly floral nebbiolo fruit flavors. Built for very long life. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£908.44 |
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James Suckling (97)Fabulous nose of milk chocolate, toffee, red fruits, and berries. Complex and ever changing with a massive finish. This does not want to let go, and when you start to think that it does, it keeps going with notes of mushrooms. Amazing wine. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£475.22 |
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James Suckling (95)This is very spicy and fruity one with perfumed and bright aromas. Leather, too. Medium-bodied, refined and layered with beautiful ripe tannins. Fine, polished texture with berry and walnut undertones. Drink or hold. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£578.44 |
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James Suckling (98)The aromas are so complex yet subtle wtih wet earth, mushrooms and dark fruits. Dried flowers as well. Full body, chewy tannins that are ultra-fine and powerful, yet there is a finesse and beauty to them as I said from barrel. Classic, great nebbiolo. Try in 2023. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£596.44 |
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James Suckling (98)The blue fruit and freshness are impressive here. At the same time, there’s richness and focus with ripe fruit. Yet, it remains cool and bright. Superb center palate with great fruit and depth, but compact and focused. Needs three or four years to come together. Better after 2021. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£262.01 |
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James Suckling (98)Extremely perfumed with dark berries, cherries, strawberries and crushed stones. Full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins that are muscular. Fantastic structure to this young Barolo, as well as great length. It grows on the palate with ease. Truly impressive. Incredible. Try after 2025. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. VAT
£645.64 |
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James Suckling (98)Extremely perfumed with dark berries, cherries, strawberries and crushed stones. Full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins that are muscular. Fantastic structure to this young Barolo, as well as great length. It grows on the palate with ease. Truly impressive. Incredible. Try after 2025. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£263.29 |
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Vinous (94)The 2018 Barolo Ornato is somber, brooding and quite closed in on itself. There's a ton of aromatic and flavor complexity, but the fruit is very much in the background. It will be interesting to see if the 2018 emerges, or if it remains rather compact, as it is today. There's a good bit of density and power behind all of that tannin. Hints of blood orange, crushed raspberry, rose petal and cinnamon linger on the super-classic finish. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£671.09 |
|||||
Vinous (94)The 2018 Barolo Ornato is somber, brooding and quite closed in on itself. There's a ton of aromatic and flavor complexity, but the fruit is very much in the background. It will be interesting to see if the 2018 emerges, or if it remains rather compact, as it is today. There's a good bit of density and power behind all of that tannin. Hints of blood orange, crushed raspberry, rose petal and cinnamon linger on the super-classic finish. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
£506.00 |
|||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 88-91 (VN (ST)) |
In Bond
£214.00 |
|||||
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (88-91)Deep ruby-red. Rather inky, closed nose hints at rose petal and black fruits. Sweet and firmly structured but quite backward and ungiving today; hint of licorice. Showing less middle today than the '98 Barolo, and thus comes across as a bit more astringent on the finish. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£611.00 |
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Vinous (94)Bright red cherries, plums, spices, orange peel, tobacco and leather are some of the many notes that meld together in the 2010 Barbaresco. Lifted and aromatic on the palate, the 2010 impresses for its balance and total sense of class. Firm tannins support the classic-feeling finish. All of the classic Nebbiolo signatures are on display. Pio Cesare's Barbaresco is made from three sites in Treiso. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£753.00 |
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Vinous (95)Pio Cesare’s 2016 Barbaresco is, quite simply, everything Barbaresco should be. Medium in body and translucent, with a firm backbone of youthful Nebbiolo tannin, the 2016 is captivating from the very first taste. Rose petal, lavender, mint, blood orange and red berry fruit open effortlessly. This is textbook Barbaresco. I loved it. |
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|
Piedmont | 10 | - |
In Bond
£320.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | - |
In Bond
£309.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 12 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£316.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2016 Barbaresco Il Bricco, from Pio Cesare’s vineyard in Treiso, is gorgeous. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, mint, cinnamon and star anise all flesh out in the glass, with an extra kick of warmth (not heat) that gives the wine a real sense of breadth. Best of all, the 2016 will drink well with minimal cellaring, although it certainly has the substance to age well for some time to come. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£1,589.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2016 Barbaresco Il Bricco, from Pio Cesare’s vineyard in Treiso, is gorgeous. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, mint, cinnamon and star anise all flesh out in the glass, with an extra kick of warmth (not heat) that gives the wine a real sense of breadth. Best of all, the 2016 will drink well with minimal cellaring, although it certainly has the substance to age well for some time to come. |
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|
Piedmont | 18 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£856.00 |
|||||
Vinous (94)The 2016 Barbaresco Il Bricco, from Pio Cesare’s vineyard in Treiso, is gorgeous. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, mint, cinnamon and star anise all flesh out in the glass, with an extra kick of warmth (not heat) that gives the wine a real sense of breadth. Best of all, the 2016 will drink well with minimal cellaring, although it certainly has the substance to age well for some time to come. |
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|
Piedmont | 9 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£382.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2018 Barbaresco Il Bricco is a worthy follow-up to the stellar 2017. Menthol, licorice, gravel, incense and a range of deeply-pitched spice notes open first, but it is the wine's overall depth that I find especially alluring. Racy and complex, yet so refined, the 2018 has a ton to offer. Best of all, it can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. It's a gorgeous Barbaresco that captures the essence of Treiso. |
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|
Piedmont | 3 | - |
In Bond
£523.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VT) |
In Bond
£574.00 |
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Vintage Tastings (93)had a sandy and leathery nose with sweet Burgundian fruit. Yarom noted how 'it looks and smells like Burgundy,' and there were many similarities. Aromas of rose, nuts and sweet tar pointed towards Nebbiolo. Its palate was very mature with a slaty, soft finish. Its fruit was leathery, beefy and sweet in those regards. There were no tannins left, just fruit and acidity, and that was ok. Still balanced and beautifully smooth and tasty, there were traces of cigar, chocolate, smoke and tar to this deliciously mature Nebbiolo |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
£595.00 |
|||||
Vinous (93)Pio Cesare’s 1978 Barolo was another surprise for a number of reasons. Unbeknownst to me, proprietor Pio Boffa decided to attend the dinner. Boffa added invaluable first hand commentary on the region and a number of the wines. His 1978 Barolo showed beautifully, as I thought it would, based on my previous tastings. Pio Cesare’s Barolo is another wine made from multiple vineyards, an approach that today is sadly pretty much non-existent. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
£363.00 |
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Wine Advocate (95)The Pio Cesare 2013 Barolo offers all of the plentiful qualities that make this such a memorable vintage. Because the growing season was slightly cooler compared to the two years preceding it, 2013 offers a great sense of freshness and brightness. Fruit was sourced from seven different vineyard sites (with much of it coming from Serralunga d'Alba). Starting in 2015, Monforte d'Alba fruit will be added. The tannins are tightly integrated within the firm fabric of the wine. Yet, the finish is round and supple. This Barolo offers characteristic aromas of wild berry, black truffle and cola. It is executed in a very traditional style with botte grande and a tiny part barrique to give the wine a tad more oxygen during its integration and aging process. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
£289.00 |
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Vinous (92)The 2016 Barolo is a terrific example of the year. Bright acids and veins of supporting tannins give the 2016 its super-classic feel. Sweet red cherry fruit, chalk, mint, dried flowers, cedar, anise and sweet pipe tobacco all grace this translucent, mid-weight Barolo. Best of all, the 2016 can be enjoyed with just a few more years in bottle. It is a gorgeous wine and a good relative value within Barolo. |
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|
Piedmont | 10 | - |
In Bond
£320.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
£304.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£375.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)Incredibly perfumed with unique aromas of white truffles, peaches, dark berries and dried flowers. Fresh and bright. Full body, very silky tannins and a long and gorgeous finish. So progressive and seamless. Magnificent. First vintage of this single vineyard wine. Only 5,000. Starting drinking in 2023. |
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|
Piedmont | 13 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£473.00 |
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James Suckling (97)Really attractive blue fruit and flowers with hints of minerals. Full-bodied, very tight and sexy with super fine tannins, at the same time. A structured and racy young wine. Better after 2021. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£306.00 |
|||||
Vinous (95)The 2017 Barolo Mosconi is a beautiful, translucent wine that expresses too much of the best this site has to offer. Iron, dried herbs, chalk and white pepper give the Mosconi its signature aromatic profile. Pio Cesare's Mosconi is the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. It's mid-weight structure and light (even for Nebbiolo) color can be deceiving. There is certainly plenty of punch here. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£322.00 |
|||||
Vinous (95)The 2018 Barolo Mosconi is superb. It offers up a complex mélange of rose petal, dried herbs, iron, graphite, smoke, incense, scorched earth and blood orange, capturing all the complexity that makes the best Barolos from this site so compelling. Powerful and deep, yet also quite elegant, the 2018 is another fine Barolo from an estate that has undergone a pretty significant stylistic shift over the last handful of years. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 92+ (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£483.60 |
|||||
Vinous (92+)(this ages in 75% new barriques while the classico get 35% new barriques and the rest botti Deep saturated red. Red berries and a hint of game on the nose. Dense and sweet on entry, then big, rich and mouthfilling. Really mounts slowly and takes over the palate. Finishes with firm but noble Serralunga tannins and subtly floral nebbiolo fruit flavors. Built for very long life. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
£741.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (97)Fabulous nose of milk chocolate, toffee, red fruits, and berries. Complex and ever changing with a massive finish. This does not want to let go, and when you start to think that it does, it keeps going with notes of mushrooms. Amazing wine. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
£379.99 |
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James Suckling (95)This is very spicy and fruity one with perfumed and bright aromas. Leather, too. Medium-bodied, refined and layered with beautiful ripe tannins. Fine, polished texture with berry and walnut undertones. Drink or hold. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£466.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)The aromas are so complex yet subtle wtih wet earth, mushrooms and dark fruits. Dried flowers as well. Full body, chewy tannins that are ultra-fine and powerful, yet there is a finesse and beauty to them as I said from barrel. Classic, great nebbiolo. Try in 2023. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£481.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)The blue fruit and freshness are impressive here. At the same time, there’s richness and focus with ripe fruit. Yet, it remains cool and bright. Superb center palate with great fruit and depth, but compact and focused. Needs three or four years to come together. Better after 2021. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£213.00 |
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James Suckling (98)Extremely perfumed with dark berries, cherries, strawberries and crushed stones. Full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins that are muscular. Fantastic structure to this young Barolo, as well as great length. It grows on the palate with ease. Truly impressive. Incredible. Try after 2025. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
£522.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)Extremely perfumed with dark berries, cherries, strawberries and crushed stones. Full-bodied with chewy, polished tannins that are muscular. Fantastic structure to this young Barolo, as well as great length. It grows on the palate with ease. Truly impressive. Incredible. Try after 2025. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£213.00 |
|||||
Vinous (94)The 2018 Barolo Ornato is somber, brooding and quite closed in on itself. There's a ton of aromatic and flavor complexity, but the fruit is very much in the background. It will be interesting to see if the 2018 emerges, or if it remains rather compact, as it is today. There's a good bit of density and power behind all of that tannin. Hints of blood orange, crushed raspberry, rose petal and cinnamon linger on the super-classic finish. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
£540.00 |
|||||
Vinous (94)The 2018 Barolo Ornato is somber, brooding and quite closed in on itself. There's a ton of aromatic and flavor complexity, but the fruit is very much in the background. It will be interesting to see if the 2018 emerges, or if it remains rather compact, as it is today. There's a good bit of density and power behind all of that tannin. Hints of blood orange, crushed raspberry, rose petal and cinnamon linger on the super-classic finish. |