99-pt Barolo Leads Incredible Lineup of Pio Cesare 2020s

Why Buy: A dazzling lineup of high-scoring Barolos and Barbarescos — including a 99-pointer, a 98-pointer, and two 97-pointers, all from the banner year of 2020, and from one of the world's most historic and prestigious estates, the legendary Pio Cesare. These are some of the purest, most precise, age-worthy Nebbiolos in the world, and it's no secret why: a painstaking selection of grapes (cluster by cluster, grape by grape), a minimal intervention in the cellar, and a careful limiting of yields.

What They're Saying: James Suckling radiated enthusiasm for all 5 wines. His 99-point review of the Barolo Mosconi 2020 moved him to wonder and a kind of awe: "The tannins are energetic and so, so long. A contemporary jewel. Fascinating. Thoughtful wine." Only the oldest vines, he noted, dating from the 1940s and 1960s, contributed to this masterpiece. The Barolo Ornato 2020 is right there with it in the critic’s estimation; he awarded it 98 points for being "very focused" and "very velvety and fine-textured,” with “a pointed character." The flagship Barolo DOCG 2020 (97 points), meanwhile, impressed Suckling with its "beautiful aromas" and "very primary fruit," showing "character" that "will age for a very long time." The Barbaresco Il Brico 2020 matched that score, and earned much the same tone: a "beautiful" and "exquisite" wine, Suckling wrote, with "very fine tannins that run the length of the wine and have melted into [it].” Finally, the Barbaresco DOCG 2020 (96 points) stood out to him as "poised and gorgeous," with "ultra-fine tannins," "finesse," and "a beautiful finish."

Our Tasting Notes: The 2020 vintage reveals itself as something extraordinary in these wines. Each bottle speaks with remarkable clarity — there's an energy here that catches you by surprise. The Mosconi practically vibrates with intensity, yet never loses its sense of place. What strikes me most about the Ornato is how it manages to be both profound and graceful — no small feat. The flagship Barolo DOCG offers a masterclass in balance, while both Barbarescos show why this estate has long been considered one of Piedmont's crown jewels. In each glass, you'll find that characteristic Pio Cesare precision, but there's something else, too — a quiet confidence that comes from 140 years of getting it right.

The Story: Pio Cesare has been producing wines for five generations in its ancient cellars in the center of Alba. Founded in 1881 by Cesare Pio, an entrepreneur with extraordinary vision, the estate began as a personal project to produce select wines from the hills of Barolo and Barbaresco for family and friends. His early 20th-century European travels — documented by his passport number 55, still displayed at the winery — laid the groundwork for the estate's international reputation. Through four generations — from Giuseppe Pio, to Rosy and Giuseppe Boffa, to the late Pio Boffa — the estate’s determination never flagged. Today, fifth-generation winemaker Federica Rosy Boffa and her cousin, Cesare Benvenuto, have proven to be as expert at the controls as the estate's many fans around the world could have hoped. The winemaking remains as elegant and focused as ever, with charm to spare and an absolute lack of overstatement that comes across, to us, like nothing so much as wisdom.

The Method: The late, legendary winemaker Pio Boffa was always quick to remind his audience that blending grapes from multiple vineyards by no means indicates a lesser wine — that blending is an art.

What to Pair Them With: Think Italy's autumn and winter cuisine:  rich risottos, braised meats, and aged cheeses. But don't feel constrained by tradition; their versatility might surprise you. We found great matches, too, with chicken in mole and Korean barbecue.

Fun Fact: Federica Boffa was just 23 when she assumed command of the winery in 2021 — a prodigy, in the world of wine.

Our Guarantee: Remember, friends – we always buy direct and we only source direct, so you can rest assured that your wine will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance.