Professional and Critic Scores The Pio Cesare Barolo 1964 has an aggregate average critic score, though official reviews from major publications are scarce for this vintage: Average Critic Score: The wine holds an average of 92/100 points based on two critic reviews compiled by Wine-Searcher. Jeannie Cho Lee MW: Rated the 1964 vintage 94/100 points. CellarTracker Community: The wine has an average user rating of 3.5/5 stars (equivalent to approximately 88 points) based on two user ratings, though individual user reviews vary widely depending on the specific bottle's condition. Some users noted scores as high as 93 points. Vintage Quality The year 1964 is generally considered a "Very Good" to "Excellent" vintage for Barolo and Barbaresco in the Piedmont region of Italy. The wines from this year are described as splendidly balanced, complete, and suitable for long aging, though perhaps a little hard in their youth. Tasting Notes (Producer Notes and General Descriptions) Aromatics: Notes of stewed red berries, dried flowers, and nuts (walnut, almond). CellarTracker users mentioned complex perfume, red fruit, cinnamon, red licorice, and a slight herbaceous quality. The 1981 Barolo by Luigi Calissano e Figli is a mature Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy, a vintage noted for challenging conditions (cold winter, rainy summer), suggesting it's likely at peak or past its prime but could offer complex, earthy, tertiary notes (leather, tar, dried fruit) if well-stored, potentially still holding elegance but with softer tannins, typical of aged Barolo from a less stellar year, but the Calissano style aims for quality and tradition. Key Characteristics & Vintage Context: Producer: Luigi Calissano e Figli, a traditional Barolo producer from Piedmont. Grape: 100% Nebbiolo. Vintage (1981): A difficult growing season with a cold winter and significant rain, leading to a lower-quality vintage overall for Piedmont, meaning this wine likely needs to be enjoyed at maturity. Aging Potential: A wine from this year is now well-aged (over 40 years old) and would have developed significant tertiary aromas (dried flowers, earth, tobacco, leather). What to Expect (If Tasting): Aroma: Expect complex, evolved aromas rather than primary fruit, with notes of dried cherry, rose petals, tar, forest floor, and possibly balsamic hints. Palate: Tannins would be significantly softened and integrated, with good acidity (a Nebbiolo hallmark) but potentially less fruit power than a great vintage. Style: A traditional, structured Barolo that shows its age and terroir, reflecting the producer's commitment to classic Italian winemaking.