Saturday, October 18, 2008

Pio Cesare Fides Barbera d'Alba 2003

This is going to be a short review because I last had this wine last winter and I didn't make detailed notes. The 2003 is no longer available, but I want to post a review because a new vintage is going to be available at the Wine Expo (likely the '05), and it is a wine worth looking for. The '03 Fides had beautiful balance and mouthfeel and the flavours are clean Barbera mid-notes in terms of fruit, but with great complexity in the chocolate / violets range. I served it blind to a few people along side the Glaetzer Amon-Ra Shiraz (which got 98 from RP) and there was complete agreement that the Fides was much better, primarily because of its complexity. Wine Spectator gave the '03 an 89, but it clearly deserves much more than that. They tasted it in 2006 and noted that it was 'still tight' so it has evidently improved in the bottle. In any event, the '03 was a great wine and a great value. And by all accounts the Piedmont vintages from 2004 -07 were even better than '03. So no matter what vintage we see at Wine Expo, this will be a wine to try.

Price: Approx $39
Value: 5/5
Score: 93
Tasted: March 2008
ANBL UPC: No longer listed / Available at WineExpo '08
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5 comments:

  1. Iron ChefOctober 19, 2008 at 12:10 PM

    I have never tried this wine. I am looking forward to it now. Thanks for the great review.

    ReplyDelete
  2. CMacdonaldOctober 21, 2008 at 9:16 PM

    The new vintage is 2005.

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  3. CMacdonaldOctober 23, 2008 at 12:13 AM

    For the Pio Cesare fans out there, Pio family member Augusto Buffo will be hosting a food and wine dinner at Mavericks in Moncton on the Thursday November 6 in advance of the Moncton wine show.

    ReplyDelete
  4. NormanOctober 23, 2008 at 9:09 AM

    Chris,

    The dinner with Augusto Buffo sounds delightful (though it would be hard for me to get to Moncton on Thursday) - but where can we get more information? I couldn't find anything about it on the WineExpo site. Maybe it just wasn't clear to me which event it was, but I didn't see any Thursday night dinner.

    On another point, do you know yet what vintage of the Travaglini Gattinara will be available at the WineExpo?

    ReplyDelete
  5. CMacdonaldOctober 23, 2008 at 11:45 PM

    Norman,

    The Pio event is independent of the Moncton fair. Here is the menu;

    The wines of Pio Cesare presented by Augusto Boffa
    Moncton, Maverick Restaurant, November 6th, 2008

    First Course
    Lobster and fennel Aranchini Balls

    Pio Cesare Piodilei Chardonnay

    Second Course
    Carpacio of beef with grilled Radichio, fresh Arugula, Sicillian olives and Balsamic and Fig Gastrique

    Pio Cesare Barbera d'Alba Classic
    Pio Cesare Barbera d'Alba Fides

    Main Course
    Braised Lamb Shanks with red wine demi served with autumn vegetable au gratin and butter poached Carrots

    Pio Cesare Barbarbaresco Il Bricco
    Pio Cesare Barolo Classic
    Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato

    Dessert

    White Chocolate Risotto with Strawberry Compote

    Pio Cesare Barolo – 2001

    For tickets, please contact Mavericks restaurant in Moncton 506-855-3346, only 24 seats available. Cost $80 including HST and Service

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