2015 Pio Cesare Langhe Oltrè

Not a food blog.

I am determined not to turn this commentary into a food blog. The reality is, wine and food will always share a relationship. Sometimes it is this combination, along with the company of someone special, that brings about an entirely pleasurable experience.

Tonight this was this case. The wine was superb, the company beautiful, and the food was quite extraordinary. I will make a concession to food, just this once. The ravioli tasting menu at Mari Ristorante is first class.

I grabbed this bottle with my allocation Pio Cesare Barbaresco and Barolo, the value seemed too good to pass up. I have been impressed with the wines of Langhe, the Nebbiolo’s not in the Barolo and Barbaresco zones. This wine is blended with non-Italian grape varieties, and while the Nebbiolo dominates the nose and palate, it was well supported by the interlopers. This wine is excellent drinking.

Not decanted.

Nebbiolo, Barbera and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Medium ruby in the glass. The nose is dominated by sweet, dark cherries. Concentrated but not confectionary. Supporting the fruit is black tea, sweet spices of nutmeg, and chocolate, with savory dried oregano in the background. An overtly Italian nose that has some extra fruit being driven by the blended grapes. The palate is medium acid, medium body, with long silky tannins. It is layered and textured, with cherries and sweet spices and bitter black tea that supports rather than impedes the drinking experience. 2015 was a decent vintage in Piedmont, and this wine displays all the characteristics of a very good wine elevated by great vineyard fruit.

Pio Cesare rarely disappoints, and this wine drank well beyond my expectations.

Drink now – 2025.

92 pts.