Yesterday we at Bancroft Wines were privileged to welcome Cesare Benventeno from the Italian wine estate Pio Cesare for a tasting at our office. His family have one of the finest winemaking traditions in Piedmont. The wines are still made in the same building as they were in 1881 and the estate consists of 65 ha of some of the most picturesque and sort after lands in Northern Italy.
We began with a white wine that was made from 100% Arneis, it was fresh and beautifully balanced. After that we proceeded to taste the Gavi, superb! Juicy, rich and long. Chardonnay was up next in the form of the “Peodilei” and “L’Altro”. Both were excellently crafted.
Moving through the reds we tasted a range of single vineyard and traditionally blended Barbarescos and Barolos. Additionally we were provided with an incredible example of a pure Nebbiolo. A wine that combined a light colour with fantastic structure, created to demonstrate a slightly different character to the traditional Barolo and Barbaresco wines that are similiarly made from 100% Nebbiolo.
Mr Benvenuto was a man that prised his family’s wine making traditions, but also felt the desire to experiment. In an attempt to communicate the subtleties of his particular terrior he has championed a unique blend named “Oltre”. Made with 70% Nebbiolo, 25% Barbera, 5% Cabernet and 5% Merlot, the wine is complex and rewarding.
The finale to this tasting session was the single vineyard Barolo, “Ornato”, named after the south-facing slope upon which it is grown. This wine was rich, dense and supple with a truly charming mid palate that delighted its audience with every taste.
By Ed Anthony, Marketing Assistant
By Ed Anthony, Marketing Assistant
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