15 Dec Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Pio Cesare 2017 Barolo Pio DOCG, Piemonte, Italy
In April 2021, the wine world lost a legendary figure in Piemonte wine, Pio Boffa, who died after a short battle with Covid-19. This week, as the winery celebrates their 140th anniversary, and in honor of his birthday (December 13th), the Pio Cesare 2017 Barolo Pio DOCG is the Please The Palate wine of the week.
Pio Cesare Winery, located in the town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, was established in 1881 by Cesare Pio. Cesare’s granddaughter Rosy Pio married Giuseppe Boffa and they named their youngest son Pio Boffa, in honor of his great-grandfather. As the fourth generation, Pio Cesare was born into the winery and was known for his larger than life personality. An ambassador of Piemonte wine, Pio travelled the world to promote his wines and the entire region.
In addition to crafting single-vineyard Barolo, Pio Boffa continued crafting the winery’s classic Barolo, including the Pio Cesare 2017 Barolo Pio DOCG. This classic wine has always been made with grapes coming from different regions. The grapes for the 2017 come from the family-owned vineyards in five of the communes of Barolo – Serralunga d’Alba (Ornato, La Serra and Briccolina), Grinzane Cavour (Gustava and Garretti), La Morra (Roncaglie), Novello (Ravera), and Monforte (Mosconi). This “classic” formula produces a wine that embraces and combines the unique terroirs of each commune.
The grapes are fermented in stainless steel and then aged for three years in large French oak “botti” and in some barriques. The result is a classic Barolo, one of structure, power, and elegance. It has aromas of black cherry, cassis, violets, blackberry, crushed roses, and a touch of spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with notes of cherry and coffee and finishes with firm tannins. This is an elegant wine that can be drunk now but can be held onto for another 10 years.
The Pio Cesare 2017 Barolo Pio DOCG, which retails for $85, commemorates the 140th anniversary of Pio Cesare and the label pays homage to the name loyal enthusiasts have given Pio Cesare’s Barolo since the 1960s: Barolo Pio. Happy Anniversary Pio Cesare and Happy Birthday Pio Boffa.