Wine Advisor
Pio Cesare, Barolo Ornato 2011
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2011 Barolo Ornato is similarly rich and powerful, but there the style of the wine is more naturally in line with that style than the straight Barolo. Deep and layered in the glass, the 2011 offers attractive scents of dark red cherry, tobacco, menthol and licorice, all in a deep, explosive wine that is sure to deliver considerable intrigue and pleasure over the next 10-15 years or so.
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Pio Cesare's 2011 Barolo Ornato is an opulent and exuberant wine that delivers all the fullness, roundness and soft ripeness of the vintage. Ornato is designed as a softer expression of Nebbiolo (it sees 18 months in barrique plus one year in traditional oak cask). This richer style suits the wine very well in 2011. It peels back to reveal deep layers of black cherry, blackberry preserves, spice and leather. It will lose some of its baby fat with five years or more in the cellar.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
A complex and complete wine with black cherry, mushrooms, wet earth and plum. Full-bodied, yet so refined and caressing in texture. Wonderful length and beauty. You want to drink it now but it will give so much more in the future.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2011 Barolo Ornato is similarly rich and powerful, but there the style of the wine is more naturally in line with that style than the straight Barolo. Deep and layered in the glass, the 2011 offers attractive scents of dark red cherry, tobacco, menthol and licorice, all in a deep, explosive wine that is sure to deliver considerable intrigue and pleasure over the next 10-15 years or so.
About the Producer
Located in the Piedmont region of Italy, Pio is one of the oldest wineries in the region and was named one of Wine Spectator's "10 Best Wineries in the World" in 2002. Pio was founded in 1881 by the current owner's great-great-grandfather, Cesare Pio. He was one of the first winemakers and one of the first to adhere to a philosophy of winemaking dedicated to the terroir of the appellation and to the strict demands of quality. Since its foundation, Château Pio has been guided by a commitment to quality that has remained unchanged through four generations. The winery is currently headed by Boffa Pio, a descendant of the family. Today, Pio has over 50 hectares of vineyards in the best areas of Barolo and Barbaresco. In addition to its own vineyards, Bodegas Pio has established long-term partnerships with professional vintners who are responsible for all aspects of the vineyard's viticultural management. In terms of winemaking, Château Piau, under the leadership of its current owner, Boffa Piau, has pioneered the use of stainless steel tanks for the production of its wines. In addition, the winery reduces the amount of time the grapes are macerated on their skins, thus reducing the tannin content of the wine. What's more, the winery's hygiene standards are strictly controlled, resulting in wines that are very pure. Château Piau has a systematic approach to limiting the production of its wines in order to maintain a consistently high quality. 70% of its production is exported. In recent years, the winery has made several major investments in rebuilding the cellars and renovating the winery's equipment: the Roman Empire-era walls remain in place 12 metres underground; new fermenters have been built to take advantage of gravity and a new barrel ageing room has been installed; and new bottling and labelling equipment has been installed.
