Pio Cesare : Barbaresco 2019

Characteristics and tasting advice for Pio Cesare’s 2019 Barbaresco

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a beautiful ruby red with bright garnet highlights, with a delicate rim that lightens slightly. The intensity of the hue reflects the richness in anthocyanins characteristic of the 2019 vintage.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, dominated by intense notes of violet and rose petals. These mingle with aromas of ripe red fruits such as sour cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate, alongside blood orange zest. Spicy nuances of star anise, licorice, and cedarwood add another dimension, while stony mineral touches bring depth. With aeration, notes of forest floor, new leather, sun-dried hay, and subtle hints of truffle emerge.

Palate

On the palate, this 2019 Barbaresco stands out for its elegance and refined structure. Silky, ripe tannins frame a concentrated core of pure red fruit, supported by bright, crystalline acidity that brings freshness and energy. The palate reveals flavors of Morello cherry, licorice, rosemary, and sage, with notes of bergamot and rosewater. The texture is both supple and taut, medium-bodied yet filled with concentrated fruit. Nuances of hazelnut, delicate cocoa, and smoky spices enrich the aromatic range. The finish is long, vibrant, and mineral, with floral and citrus touches that reflect the inner calm characteristic of great Barbaresco.

Food and wine pairings

This 2019 Barbaresco pairs perfectly with rich, flavorful dishes from Piedmontese tradition. It is an ideal match for white truffle risotto, Piedmont-style braised beef, truffle agnolotti, or a truffle fondue. Red meats such as roasted beef rib, lamb or veal chops, as well as game like wild boar, venison, or guinea fowl in a truffled sauce also make excellent pairings. Pasta with robust tomato sauces or truffle-based sauces highlights its complexity. For cheeses, opt for aged, full-flavored varieties such as aged Parmigiano Reggiano, aged Pecorino, Gorgonzola, Castelmagno, or Taleggio.

Serving and cellaring

This 2019 Barbaresco is best enjoyed in large, rounded glasses at a temperature between 18 and 20°C. Decanting for about an hour before serving helps soften the tannins and open up the aromatic bouquet. While it is already very enjoyable to drink now, this wine has the structure to evolve beautifully through around 2040, or even beyond for lovers of long aging.

An elegant, structured Barbaresco from Piedmont, signed Pio Cesare

The estate

Founded in 1881 by Cesare Pio, the Pio Cesare house is among the pioneering producers of Piedmont. Located in Alba’s historic center, the estate now spans around 80 hectares of vineyards strategically distributed across the Barolo and Barbaresco appellations. Since April 2021, Federica Boffa Pio, representing the fifth generation, has led the family estate, becoming the first woman to head this historic house. Recognized in October 2025 as “Best Female Winemaker Under 35” by Food & Wine Italia, she continues the family’s commitment to quality and the authentic expression of Piedmont’s terroirs. The historic cellar, built on Alba’s ancient Roman and medieval ramparts, extends across four underground levels and represents a unique architectural heritage.

The vineyard

Barbaresco Pio Cesare comes exclusively from the family’s vineyards located in the commune of Treiso, notably the renowned Il Bricco estate and the San Stefanetto hillside. These parcels benefit from carefully selected exposures and specific soil compositions that give the wine its distinctive personality. The estate practices integrated sustainable viticulture, favoring natural techniques such as green manuring and mechanical soil work over chemical products. Yields are deliberately limited through rigorous green harvesting and meticulous canopy management, enabling the vines to concentrate their resources on producing grapes of the highest quality.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage in Barbaresco is marked by a return to a classic, balanced growing cycle. Spring starts late with cool temperatures and abundant rainfall through mid-March, replenishing soil water reserves. April sees significant rain that slows growth but ensures favorable water availability. In June, temperatures rise noticeably, stimulating rapid vine development. Late June and early July record the highest temperatures of the season, followed by more moderate conditions punctuated by rainfall. At the end of July, a heatwave concludes with intense storms without major damage. The rest of the summer maintains mild temperatures with sporadic showers. The marked swings between daytime and nighttime temperatures foster the development of the structure and complexity characteristic of Nebbiolo. Harvest takes place during the second half of October, confirming a traditional timetable.

Winemaking and aging

Harvest for Pio Cesare’s 2019 Barbaresco begins on October 10 in the Rocche di Massalupo vineyard in San Rocco Seno d’Elvio, continues at the historic Il Bricco di Treiso estate, and ends on October 16 in the San Stunet and Bongiovanni parcels in Treiso. The grapes ferment in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks with a 20-day skin maceration. After fermentation, 35% of the wine is aged for 30 months in French oak barrels, one third of which are new oak. The remaining 65% ages for three years in 20- to 50-hectoliter French oak casks. This dual aging approach refines this Italian wine while preserving the terroir’s fruity and mineral expression.

Grape variety

100% Nebbiolo