2004 Pio Cesare, Barolo 1×1.5L

Vinous 88

Pio Cesare’s 2004 Barolo comes across as bombastic and rough around the edges. There is good immediacy to the dark fruit, but the edges are starting to fray as the fruit fades. Hints of leather, smoke and violets add a measure of complexity. It’s time to drink the 2004, as the balance will only deteriorate from here. [Antonio Galloni, 07/01/2016]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-2019

Robert Parker 93

The estate’s 2004 Barolo is very elegant in this vintage. Although the wine is firm and quite primary, the tannins are sweet, silky and refined. Today the wine reveals just a glimpse of its potential but it should develop into a gem with time. While most of the attention at Pio Cesare goes to the Barolo Ornato, this is the hidden beauty in this lineup. This Barolo is a multi-commune blend. Most of the fruit (60%) comes from the less well-exposed portions of the family’s Ornato vineyard, while the rest of the fruit is sourced from plots in La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga, Novello and Grinzane Cavour. The wine was aged in French oak casks (70%) and smaller French oak barrels (30%). This wine offers an incredible level of quality considering the production is 80,000 bottles. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Proprietor Pio Boffa has fashioned some of the finest wines of his career with his 2004 Barbarescos and Barolos. These 2004s are remarkably open even at this early stage. When I asked Boffa if he thought the 2004s would shut down in bottle Boffa responded that it was unlikely because the wines would have already begun to clamp down at this stage if they were indeed headed for a stubborn period. Boffa continued to say he had never seen a vintage with such quality and quantity, echoing a refrain heard throughout Piedmont when discussing the 2004 vintage. Like so many producers, Boffa has backed off the French oak, a move that has benefitted his wines to a huge degree. Importer: Maison Marques & Domaines, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 587-2000 [Antonio Galloni, 30/10/2008]

Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024