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Pio CesareTuscany

€75.90
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TECH SHEET

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Vintage
2021
Country
ItalyItaly
Region
Tuscany
Type
Red
Producer
Pio Cesare
Winemaker
Paolo Fenocchio
Grapes
Nebbiolo
Alcohol
14.5% vol.
Bottle
750 ml

Wine profile

Red

Body
Tannin
Acidity
Alcohol14.5% vol
Intensity

Tap or hover a scale

Wine profile · Red

Body

Level 4 of 5 — Full and broad – like single cream

In line with typical (3.8) · Typical: average of 711 reds at Vinogrande

What it is

Body is the weight and texture of the wine in your mouth. It comes mainly from alcohol, extract (everything dissolved apart from water), glycerol and, in sweet wines, sugar.

Where you feel it

Across the whole tongue: how much the wine fills your mouth. Think skimmed milk, whole milk and cream.

How we set this level

For this wine, the level comes from: the typical profile of the grapes (Wine Folly / WSET), as we have no specific data. Estimate

There is no single number for body. Labs measure dry extract (many wines are between 18 and 30 g/L) and alcohol, which WSET says has the biggest effect on body. Our scale rates the weight in the mouth.

The 1–5 scale follows the WSET tasting grid. We start from the producer's technical sheet and Vinogrande's tasting notes, plus measured data where it exists, such as the alcohol on the label. Only when that is missing do we use the typical profile of the style, region or grapes, and we say so.

The 1–5 scale

  1. 1Light: fluid and delicate
  2. 2Medium−: light-ish
  3. 3Medium: rounded
  4. 4Medium+: broad This wine
  5. 5Full: dense and rich

In practice, for this wine

Wants dishes with structure: red meat, roasts, mushrooms, aged cheese.

Wine profile · Red

Tannin

Level 4 of 5 — Firm – like strong black tea

Above typical (3.2) · Typical: average of 708 reds at Vinogrande

What it is

Tannins come from grape skins, seeds and oak. They give red wines structure and ageing potential, and soften with time.

Where you feel it

On your gums, inside your cheeks and on your teeth: that rough, drying feel, like after strong black tea.

How we set this level

For this wine, the level comes from: Vinogrande's tasting notes and wine description.

Labs measure total polyphenols (the TPI index), but that figure is rarely published. Our scale rates the amount and texture of the tannins in the mouth.

The 1–5 scale follows the WSET tasting grid. We start from the producer's technical sheet and Vinogrande's tasting notes, plus measured data where it exists, such as the alcohol on the label. Only when that is missing do we use the typical profile of the style, region or grapes, and we say so.

The 1–5 scale

  1. 1Low: silky
  2. 2Medium−: soft
  3. 3Medium: present
  4. 4Medium+: firm This wine
  5. 5High: robust

In practice, for this wine

Shines with red meat and fat: protein softens tannin. Decanting helps.

Wine profile · Red

Acidity

Level 3 of 5 — Fresh and balanced – like a green apple

Below typical (3.6) · Typical: average of 702 reds at Vinogrande

What it is

Acidity is the wine's freshness: it gives energy, makes your mouth water and helps the wine age. Too little and it tastes flat; too much and it feels sharp.

Where you feel it

On the sides of your tongue, and in how much your mouth waters after you swallow. The more you salivate, the higher the acidity.

How we set this level

For this wine, the level comes from: Vinogrande's tasting notes and wine description.

Labs measure total acidity (grams of tartaric acid per litre; most wines sit between 4.5 and 8 g/L) and pH (usually 3.0 to 3.8; the lower, the more acidic). Our scale turns that into how it feels in the mouth.

The 1–5 scale follows the WSET tasting grid. We start from the producer's technical sheet and Vinogrande's tasting notes, plus measured data where it exists, such as the alcohol on the label. Only when that is missing do we use the typical profile of the style, region or grapes, and we say so.

The 1–5 scale

  1. 1Low: soft, little freshness
  2. 2Medium−: gentle
  3. 3Medium: fresh and balanced This wine
  4. 4Medium+: lively, mouth-watering
  5. 5High: crisp, racy

In practice, for this wine

Versatile at the table: grilled fish, poultry, warm salads. Moderate chilling lifts the freshness.

Wine profile · Red

Alcohol 14.5% vol

Level 5 of 5 — Warm and intense – a lingering heat

Above typical (4.2) · Typical: average of 716 reds at Vinogrande

What it is

Alcohol is made when yeast ferments the grape's sugar. It brings warmth, adds to the body and carries the aromas.

Where you feel it

As warmth in your throat and chest when you swallow, and a slight burn on the nose when it is high.

How we set this level

For this wine, the level comes from: the alcohol stated on the label — On the label: 14.5% vol.

It is the one axis that is always measured: it comes from the % vol on the label. Still and sparkling wines: under 11% = 1, up to 12.4% = 2, up to 13.4% = 3, up to 14.4% = 4, 14.5% or more = 5. Fortified wines (Port, Madeira…) have their own scale: under 16.5% = 2, up to 18.4% = 3, up to 19.9% = 4, 20% or more = 5.

The 1–5 scale follows the WSET tasting grid. We start from the producer's technical sheet and Vinogrande's tasting notes, plus measured data where it exists, such as the alcohol on the label. Only when that is missing do we use the typical profile of the style, region or grapes, and we say so.

The 1–5 scale

  1. 1Low: under 11% vol
  2. 2Medium−: 11–12.4% vol
  3. 3Medium: 12.5–13.4% vol
  4. 4Medium+: 13.5–14.4% vol
  5. 5High: 14.5% vol or more This wine

In practice, for this wine

Wants rich dishes, served a little cooler to tame the heat. Small glasses, no rush.

Wine profile · Red

Intensity

Level 4 of 5 — Expressive – the aromas leap from the glass

In line with typical (3.9) · Typical: average of 84 reds at Vinogrande

What it is

Aromatic intensity is how strongly the aromas come through: fruit, flowers, spice, oak, notes of age.

Where you feel it

On the nose, before you sip: how strongly the aromas rise from the glass. Swirling releases them.

How we set this level

For this wine, the level comes from: Vinogrande's tasting notes and wine description.

It is a sensory judgement, with no lab figure. We only show it when the wine's description or a review mentions it.

The 1–5 scale follows the WSET tasting grid. We start from the producer's technical sheet and Vinogrande's tasting notes, plus measured data where it exists, such as the alcohol on the label. Only when that is missing do we use the typical profile of the style, region or grapes, and we say so.

The 1–5 scale

  1. 1Subtle: you have to look for it
  2. 2Delicate
  3. 3Medium: clear aromas
  4. 4Expressive This wine
  5. 5Pronounced: fills the glass

In practice, for this wine

Holds up to aromatic cooking: herbs, gentle spice.

Critics & awards

Serve & enjoy

Temperature 16–18 °CIf the room is above 20 °C, 15 min in the fridge
GlassBurgundy glass
Open ahead 15 min · No decanting

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Pairings, alternatives and advice in seconds

Description

Pio Cesare Barolo Tinto 2021 is a top Italian red from an exceptional vintage in Piedmont's prestigious region. This classic is made from 100% Nebbiolo, bringing together grapes from prestigious vineyards in several Barolo communes to ensure the house's historic signature.

The Wine AdvocateRP 94Reviewed by: Monica Larner

The Pio Cesare 2021 Barolo uses grapes from several plots and, like the house's Barbaresco, offers an excellent snapshot of the vintage. It has balanced acidity, firm tannins and vibrant primary fruit. It's an elegant Barolo with energy and vitality, showing aromas of dried cherry, iris and delicate mineral notes evoking iron ore or rust.

Published: 19 June 2025.

With 96 points from James Suckling, Pio Cesare Barolo 2021 stands as one of the great wines of its vintage. Elegant yet powerful, it shows intense aromas of black truffle, graphite and ripe black fruit, enriched by delicate notes of dried thyme and cedar.

PalateOn the palate it stands out for its solid structure, enveloping tannins and excellent depth, always keeping remarkable balance. The finish is extraordinarily long and persistent, leaving a memorable impression. A Barolo of great class, with excellent ageing potential, reaching its best from 2028.

What to serve with this wine

Dishes calculated from this wine’s profile, grapes and region.