Pio Cesare : Il Bricco 2019

Tasting characteristics and advice for Il Bricco 2019 from Pio Cesare

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a brilliant ruby-red hue, characteristic of Nebbiolo.

Nose

The nose opens with vibrant aromas of strawberry and cedar, accompanied by subtle spicy notes. With aeration, the bouquet grows more complex, unveiling scents of blackcurrant, pomegranate, licorice and grilled herbs.

Palate

On the palate, this Barbaresco displays a full, generous structure, carried by layers of ripe fruit. The tannins—firm yet polished—provide excellent framework without harshness, with a texture that is both present and refined. The finish stands out for its remarkable length, where the tannins gradually assert themselves, lending the wine complexity and elegance.

Food and wine pairings

This Barbaresco pairs perfectly with traditional Piedmontese specialties such as white truffle risotto, Piedmont-style braised beef, or truffle agnolotti. It also matches beautifully with grilled or braised red meats, game (roe deer, wild boar, pheasant), as well as fine poultry prepared with rich mushroom- or truffle-based sauces. For cheeses, opt for aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino or Gorgonzola.

Serving and cellaring

To fully appreciate this Barbaresco 2019, serve it in large, rounded glasses at a temperature between 18 and 20°C. While it is already enjoyable to drink, this wine has considerable aging potential and can be enjoyed through around 2040, developing remarkable complexity and tertiary aromas over the years.

A classic, elegant Barbaresco from Piedmont

The estate

Founded in 1881 by Cesare Pio in the historic center of Alba, Pio Cesare is one of Piedmont’s most prestigious houses. Now led by Federica Boffa Pio, representing the family’s fifth generation, the estate farms around 80 hectares of vineyards strategically spread across the Barolo and Barbaresco appellations. Built on Alba’s ancient Roman foundations, the House remains the only producer authorized to feature the city’s coat of arms on its labels. Internationally recognized for wines of great finesse that favor terroir expression and minimal intervention in the cellar, Pio Cesare has embodied Piedmontese winemaking excellence and tradition for over 140 years.

The vineyard

The Barbaresco 2019 from Pio Cesare comes from a multi-cru blend sourced from several prestigious plots located in the villages of Treiso and in the San Rocco Seno d'Elvio sector near Alba. The grapes are harvested from the renowned Il Bricco and San Stefanetto vineyards in Treiso, as well as from the Rocche di Massalupo site in the premium area of San Rocco Seno d'Elvio. This approach—blending different terroirs, true to the historic tradition of the great Barbaresco families—creates an Italian wine that expresses the complexity and overall identity of the appellation rather than the singular expression of a single vineyard.

The vintage

The 2019 vintage in Piedmont was marked by a return to later harvests, with picking carried out between October 10 and 16, bringing the schedule back in line with historical norms. The season benefited from favorable conditions, with adequate and well-distributed water supply, the absence of extreme weather events, and moderate temperatures. These conditions allowed Nebbiolo to complete its ripening cycle without stress, yielding balanced grapes with good phenolic development and a profile favoring finesse and complexity over excessive concentration.

Winemaking and aging

Barbaresco 2019 was vinified according to Pio Cesare’s minimalist philosophy, prioritizing the grape’s natural expression. After fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, the must underwent a twenty-day maceration. Aging then followed a distinctive protocol: 35% of the volume matured for thirty months in French barrels (one third new), while the remaining 65% spent three years in large French oak casks of twenty to fifty hectoliters. This combination of vessels allows for subtle integration of oak notes while preserving the fruit character and the expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Nebbiolo