2011 Pio Cesare Barbaresco AG--94

Antonio Galloni: 94 Points
Pio Cesare's 2011 Barbaresco is gorgeous. The super-classic bouquet laced with sweet red cherry, orange peel, mint, spice and white pepper is enticing. Generous and layered on the palate, the Barbaresco captures plenty of the warm resonance that is so typical of the year. The 2011 is a blend of fruit from several sites in and around Treiso mostly done in cask. It is the more traditional of the estate's two Barbarescos and also less expensive than the flagship Il Bricco, but here I find more personality, charm and tons of the allure that makes Barbaresco so compelling. The 2011 should age gracefully for years based on its depth, but it is absolutely delicious today.