Rogers & Company Chateau, Villa and Estate Wines

PROUDLY PRESENTS

"Pio Cesare is what I call a "lighthouse" winery. Steadfast and standing tall among the rest, it floods the landscape with inspiration and light for a slew of smaller, boutique wineries looking to find their way. Among the most historic brands in Alba, Pio Cesare has worked hard to promote Barolo and the territory of the Langhe across the globe. Their tireless efforts have been instrumental in creating a unified Barolo identity."

Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2013

The Pio Cesare winery was founded in 1881 by family patriarch Cesare Pio. He was one of the very first wine producers to believe in the great potential and quality of Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera and in the other great wines of Piemonte. He was among the very first winemakers to produce these wines with a philosophy that was dedicated to the terroir and the strictest quality of the wine rather than to volume, as was the pervading belief at the time.

Five generations later, Pio Cesare owns more than 70 hectares (180 acres) of vineyards, located in the most highly rated and best exposures. Within the Barolo region, the Ornato estate and the Colombaro vineyard (in Serralunga d'Alba), the Gustava estate (in Grinzane Cavour), the Roncaglie (in La Morra), Ravera (Barolo-Novello) and the recent acquisition in the prestigious Mosconi cru in Monforte d'Alba. Within the Barbaresco territory, the Il Bricco estate, the San Stefanetto and Bongiovanni vineyards in Treiso. Other selected vineyards are located in the communes of Diano d'Alba, Sinio and Trezzo.

Pio Cesare is totally independent and "Estate Bottled" for the majority of their wines. In addition to their own vineyards, Pio Cesare has fostered long-term relationships with growers for several generations and manages all aspects of viticulture in these vineyards.

Pio Cesare is among the most revered and respected of all Piemonte producers and we are honoured to represent their wines in Ontario.

We will have ongoing availability of the Barbera d'Alba and Barolo , some inventories of the Barbaresco and we are accepting reservations for the Barbera d'Alba DOCG "Fides", Piodelei and L'Altro Chardonnays and the "Ornato" Barolo and "Il Bricco" Barbaresco.

As noted below, some wines are available only through private orders. Payment will be required at time of delivery.

My best,

Chris.

Barbera d'Alba DOC 2013
$28.95 per bottle, cases of 12
December arrival

The Barbera grapes come from family owned vineyards in Serraluga d'Alba (Ornato and Colombaro vineyards), in Sinio, Diano d'Alba and Grinzane Cavour.

The juice sees 15 days of skin contact in stainless steel temperature controlled fermenters. Following fermentation the wine is moved into French oak for 18 months. 30% of the wine goes into medium-toasted barriques and 70% of the wine into 20 to 50 hectoliter casks.

The Barbera grapes grown in the Barolo area give full structure, plummy, spicy and complex flavours. You'll find blackberries in the aroma and a hint of toasted tobacco. It ages quite well.

Though the 2013 is not yet reviewed, the 2012 received 90 points from Antonio Galloni at vinous.com and the following note, "The 2012 Barbera d'Alba is quite pretty. Bright red cherries, flowers, spices and mint all lift from the glass in a striking, perfumed Barbera long on class and personality. The flavours are precise and finely sculpted throughout."

Barbaresco DOCG 2011
$77.95 per bottle, cases of 6
December arrival

The Nebbiolo grapes for this wine are sourced exclusively from the Cesare family's own vineyards: the famous "Il Bricco" Estate, the great hill of San Stefanetto and Bongiovanni, all located in the village of Treiso.

35% of the wine is aged in French oak barriques (one third new) for 30 months. The remaining 65% spends 3 years in French oak casks, 20 to 50 hectoliters each.

It is a very classic Barbaresco - elegant with ripe and spicy fruit, great depth and complexity. The mild and ripe tannins provide this wine with gentleness and finesse, but also strength and opulence. It shows very long ageing potential.

"Pio Cesare's 2011 Barbaresco is a tight and compact Nebbiolo that reveals an attractive level of aromatic intensity and energy. This is a well-composed wine that delivers wild berry, toasted almond and black licorice aromas. Softer fruit flavours appear on the finish. The wine is almost ready to drink now and in the medium-term. "

90 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2015

Barolo DOCG 2011
$78.95 per bottle, cases of 6
December arrival

Sourced from family owned vineyards in Serralunga d'Alba (Ornato), Grinzane Cavour (Gustava), La Morra (Roncaglie) and Barolo-Novello (Ravera).

The fruit is fermented in stainless steel tanks. Skins and juice are in contact for about 20 days. Following this, it is moved to mid toasted French oak for 3 years: 70% in 20 to 50 hectoliters casks; 30% in barriques.

Pio Cesare's is classic Barolo. It displays excellent structure and harmony, mild tannins and balanced fruit. It is immediately approachable, but it has a very long ageing potential.

"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. "

92+ points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2015

Available for Private Order Now

"Fides" Barbera d'Alba DOC 2012
$55.95 per bottle, cases of 6
December arrival

A single vineyard Barbera from the Pio Cesare's "Colombaro" vineyard near the famous Ornato Estate in Serralunga d'Alba. "Fides" is the Latin for "trust" and "faith". A true act of faith and trust was made by the Pio family when, instead of Nebbiolo, they planted Barbera in a vineyard where great Barolo could have been produced instead.

"Dark red cherries, plums, cloves, menthol and leather flesh out in the 2012 Barbera d'Alba Fides. Pliant and expressive on the palate, the 2012 is built on aromatics, texture and gorgeous fruit. Stylistically, the 2012 is quite a bit more lifted than it has been in the past. Here, too, the flavours are remarkably alive. 2014-2020"

91 points, Antonio Galloni vinous.com, Nov 2014

"A modern style, boasting sweet cherry, raspberry and plum flavours shaded by toasty oak. Despite the added tannins this features plenty of bright acidity and intense, sweet fruit. Mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2018."

91 points, Wine Spectator, Nov 2014

"L'Altro" Chardonnay 2014
Piemonte DOC
$28.95 per bottle, cases of 12
December arrival

The name "L'Altro" means "the other" in Italian. Piodilei is the family's most prestigious and first produced Chardonnay. The L'Altro is Pio Cesare's "other" Chardonnay.

Sourced from family-owned vineyards in Treiso (Il Bricco Estate), in Serralunga d'Alba (Colombaro) and in Trezzo Tinella (Bossania), it is 100% Chardonnay. 75% is fermented in stainless steel tanks and the remaining 25% in new French oak barriques, then it rests on its lees for 5 months before bottling.

The wine is fresh, fruity and spicy, rich and creamy, with delicate hints of vanilla.

"Piodilei" Chardonnay 2013
Langhe DOC
$57.95 per bottle, cases of 6
December arrival

"Piodilei" is a single vineyard, barrel fermented 100% Chardonnay. Grown in the very first Pio Cesare Chardonnay vineyard, planted in 1980, at the "Il Bricco" Estate in Treiso, in the Barbaresco area.

Low yields produces fully ripened grapes which are harvested late in the season. Fermentation takes place on the lees in new French oak barrels. Then it rests for 10 months on the lees in barrel, then six more months of bottle age prior to release.

This is fully luxurious spicy, creamy, intense and persistent. Sweet, warm and ripe fruit on the palate, cleaned up by refreshing acidity and then a long finish.

"Il Bricco" Barbaresco DOCG 2011
$126.95 per bottle, cases of 6
December arrival

A single vineyard Barbaresco from perfectly ripe grapes of several plots in the famous "Il Bricco" Estate, owned by the Pio Family.

It is vinified in stainless steel and ages in French oak for 30 months, 70% in barriques and 30% in cask. It is made in very small quantities and only in great vintages. It is structured, rich in ripe fruit, opulent and can age for a very long time.

"Boasting an elaborate style, the 2011 Barbaresco Il Bricco delivers a soft and luscious interpretation of Nebbiolo. It's a wine with a modern approach and soft, enriched contours. The wine is aged in barrique for 18 months and then settles in large oak casks for one more year. It stands out for the density and vigour of its fruit. This Barbaresco finishes with pretty tones of ripe fruit, tobacco and tarry resin."
91 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2015

"Ornato" Barolo DOCG 2011
$126.95 per bottle, cases of 6
December arrival

A single vineyard Barolo from very ripe grapes of three different plots of the family-owned Ornato Estate in Serralunga d'Alba, one of the top vineyards in the whole Barolo area.

Fermented in stainless steel with skin contact for 15 days, it ages in medium toasted French oak for 36 months. 70% in new barriques and 30% in a 25 hectoliters casks.

"Pio Cesare's 2011 Barolo Ornato is an opulent and exuberant wine that delivers all the fullness, roundness and soft ripeness of the vintage. Ornato is designed as a softer expression of Nebbiolo (it sees 18 months in barrique plus one year in traditional oak cask). This richer style suits the wine very well in 2011. It peels back to reveal deep layers of black cherry, blackberry preserves, spice and leather. It will lose some of its baby fat with five years or more in the cellar."
93 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, June 2015

Chris McLean

Direct: 647 955 8872
Office: 416 961 2294