2011 Barolo
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Tasting notes
Pio Cesare's 2011 Barolo emerges from a handful of sites in and around Ornato, in Serralunga, and Grinzane Cavour. A dark, powerful wine, the 2011 is rich in macerated cherries, hard candy and spices. The intensity and ripeness of the year are evident, but at the same time, the 2011 offers a level of approachability that makes it an excellent choice for drinking over the next decade or so.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Minty and rich on the nose and palate. A little exotic and with bags of grainy tannins. Grows on you, even if this is tannic and minty. (WS)
The 2011 Barolo offers a classic approach to Nebbiolo and has done so consistently for decades. Pio Cesare is a benchmark producer with a production philosophy that remains the same year after year, thus giving ample room to vintage variation. This handsome edition presents a dark fruit profile with black cherry and cassis. The wine evolves slowly in the glass to reveal tarry notes of licorice and light spice. Its delineated and focused approach is reinforced by its streamlined mouthfeel and delicate complexity. Pio Cesare has produced 80,000 bottles of its base Barolo.
Bright garnet. Solid, quite intense, rich, ripe nose. Sweet start – this is certainly not playing the delicacy card. Solid and robust with some gaminess and marked, slightly clunky tannins on the end. Needs a bit of time. (JR)