Pio Cesare Piodilei Langhe Chardonnay D.O.C. 2020

Pio Cesare have been making wines in their ancient cellars in central Alba for 141 years, from their vineyards based primarily in Barolo and Barbaresco. Today, fifth generation Federica Boffa with her cousin Cesare Benvenuto lead this prestigious estate, after the untimely passing of Pio Boffa in 2021 after 40 years as the face of Pio Cesare. The winegrowing is sustainable and the winemaking largely traditional resulting in wines of great elegance, structure and purity. The fruit for the Pio Cesare Piodilei Langhe Chardonnay D.O.C. 2020 is sourced from family-owned vineyards in the Mosconi vineyard in Monforte d’Alba. Since the 1985 vintage, it represents our desire to produce a white wine with the same body, complexity and ageing potential of the great reds historically produced in the area. The grapes are picked in small baskets, then softly pressed at low temperature. The fermentation starts in stainless steel tanks and then finished in French oak barriques, 30% new oak, for 8 months with extensive lees contact. On the nose are elegant flavours of ripe fruit and hints of spice. The palate is spicy, creamy and intense with sweet ripe fruit, very fresh with an elegant touch of oak and a long soft aromatic finish. The Pio Cesare 2020 Langhe Chardonnay Piodilei is a beautifully soft and creamy expression with aromas of tropical fruit, toasted almond and poached pear. It offers terrific energy and vitality with a lot going on aromatically. – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 93 Points. The Finer Details Style – White Wine Varietal – Chardonnay Country – Italy Region – Barolo, Piedmont Vintage – 2020 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 13.5%