Established in 1881, Pio Cesare, now run by fifth generation Pio Boffa, was one of the very first producers to believe in the potential and quality of the great wines of Piemonte and to export to the UK. A ceaseless devotion to the individuality of each of the region’s wines informs Pio’s choices in the vineyards and cellar. He applies a ‘minimal intervention’ philosophy to wine making, creating wines that year after year, are ranked among the world’s best wines.
Pio Cesare own 70 hectares of vineyards in the hills of Barolo and Barbaresco, including some of the prime sites for growing Nebbiolo including 16 hectares of the ‘Ornato’ vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba and 10 hectares in Mosconi in Monforte d’Alba, two of the best vineyards in the Barolo area. In December 2014, just a few days before Pio Boffa’s 60th birthday, the family added Mosconi to their vineyard holding. Mosconi is thought to be one of the true “grand crus” of the commune of Monforte d’Alba, itself one the most prestigious areas within Barolo.Its soils and microclimates allow Nebbiolo to grow exceptionally well and produce styles of Barolo with great structure, incredibly unique and distinctive aromas, and big opulent tannins that are accessible and ripen, silky and rich.
Adding this terroir to the family’s range offers an opportunity to strengthen, complement and enrich the style of the Barolo traditionally produced by Pio Cesare.
The grapes are hand-picked. After pressing, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel at 25-27°C with skin contact for 30 days and aged in large Slavonian and French oak barrels and a small part in new barriquesmid-toasted French oak for 36 months.
Only 5,000 bottles and 300 magnums were made.
“Winter in 2015 began with heavy snowfalls in January which supplied the land with excellent water reserves. February was mild, bringing an early start to the growing cycle, a pattern which continued until harvest. Budding began earlier than 2014, with flowering taking place in the middle of May. There was heavy rainfall between flowering and fruit set which was very beneficial later in the season due to drought and warm weather in late June and July. Thanks to this timely rainfall, and the snowfalls in January, the vines did not suffer undue water stress. Consequently, harvest took place about ten days earlier than 2014.Green harvesting was targeted and precise. High temperatures meant that the crop was exceptionally healthy, with minimal impact from fungal disease. However, canopy management was important to protect the grapes from the sun’s rays. Grapes achieved optimal maturity and ripeness, with good sugar concentration, balanced acidity and excellent structure, making 2015 an age-worthy vintage.” Pio Boffa
Mosconi 2015 wine of incredible power and finess with beautifully ripen and plump red fruit and a bouquet oozing of dried rose petals, truffle and small, dark berries.Very silky texture with an amazingly perfumed finish that feels like it’s going on for minutes.
Serve with red meat dishes, game or seasonal truffle, mature cheeses.
Serve at 16-18°C.
JamesSuckling.com: 98 POINTS
January 6, 2019, James Suckling
“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.”
Wine & Spirits: 94 POINTS
December 2019
“Pio Boffa closed the deal on a 24-acre plot of old vines in Monforte d’Alba’s Mosconi cru in the summer of 2014, just three days before his 60th birthday. He originally intended to use the Mosconi fruit to bolster the estate’s blended Barolo, but the team vinified each Mosconi plot separately, and the cask holding juice from the oldest vines (planted in 1947) convinced Boffa to release it as a single cru wine. This inaugural vintage is high-toned and elegant in the context of 2015, a warm, dry growing season helped by some rain and cooler temperatures in mid-August. The fruit feels fresh and crunchy, accented by notes of lilac, sage and orange peel, while ferrous tannins and cool acidity keeps the flavors taut.”
Barolo DOCG, Piemonte
100% Nebbiolo
Natural Cork
14,5%
Yes
Yes
