Pio Cesare Barbaresco featured image
Pio Cesare Barbaresco 2022
Vintage
2022
Region
Barbaresco, Piemonte
Country
Italy
Style
Still
Grape Varieties
Nebbiolo
ABV
14.5%
Dietary
Vegetarian
Sustainability
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Pio Cesare
Pio Cesare is a historic Piemonte wine producer founded in 1881 in the centre of Alba, in the Langhe. Now led by the fifth generation of the family, Federica Boffa Pio and Cesare Benvenuto, the estate is known for Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo, Gavi, Moscato d’Asti and a growing range of single-vineyard wines. Pio Cesare offers one of the region’s most established and recognisable names.
Read MoreViticulture
Pio Cesare Barbaresco 2022 is made from Nebbiolo grown in four vineyards across the Barbaresco region: Bricco di Treiso, San Stunet and Bongiovanni in Treiso, and Rocche Massalupo in Alba. Bricco di Treiso sits at approximately 410 metres and has a complete exposure with constant natural light. San Stunet and Bongiovanni are around 400 metres, with south-west and south-east exposures respectively. Rocche Massalupo, at around 280 metres, has a south-facing exposure. The soils are limestone-based, with clay and sand contributing structure and aromatic definition.
Vinification
Vinification was adapted to the 2022 vintage with a gentler approach, using slightly shorter macerations and moderate temperatures to extract refined, elegant tannins. Fermentation and maceration took place in stainless steel tanks, followed by a meticulous blend of the different vineyard parcels. The wine was aged for around 24 months, primarily in large oak casks from France, Austria and Slavonia, with a small proportion in barriques. Extended bottle ageing supports harmony, approachability and longevity.
2022
The 2022 vintage was precocious, hot and dry, with limited water reserves and an early vegetative cycle. Careful vineyard management was essential, including soil work to retain moisture, protective canopy cover, use of anti-hail nets for shade and intensified green harvesting. Nebbiolo budbreak began around mid-March, with flowering and veraison around 10 to 15 days earlier than usual. In Barbaresco, harvest took place between 21 September and 4 October. The wines show fruit concentration, freshness, firm tannins and floral nuances, supported by the slightly cooler Barbaresco conditions.
Tasting Note
Pio Cesare Barbaresco 2022 expresses the concentration and resilience of the vintage while retaining freshness and floral lift. The nose shows ripe red fruit, spice and delicate floral tones, with a clear Nebbiolo character. The palate is structured and balanced, with firm yet refined tannins, good fruit density and a fresh line through the mid-palate. Medium to full-bodied, it is complex and persistent, with a long finish and strong ageing potential.
Food Pairing
Pair with roast lamb, veal, duck, wild mushroom dishes, tajarin with meat sauce, truffle risotto, aged cheeses, game birds or classic Piedmontese cuisine.
Bottle Shots - Pio Cesare Barbaresco 2022
