Wine Advisor
Pio Cesare, Barolo Ornato 2015
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
With powerful fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, the 2015 Barolo Ornato is a plush and dense red wine with a contemporary feel that prizes richness and overall accessibility. There is a level of softness here that permeates the entire wine and adds to the already-intense aromas of red fruit, blackberry, spice, tar, asphalt and candied orange peel. This structured Barolo is best tasted with a platter of Alpine cheeses and jellied honey. Some 13,000 bottles were made.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2015 Barolo Ornato is dense and muscular, as it so often is. Rich, potent Serralunga tannins wrap around a core of smoke, grilled herbs, licorice, chalk, dried flowers, tobacco and plum notes. In the glass, the 2015 exudes virile intensity and power, but there is less in the way of finesse. Ultimately, the Ornato comes across as a bit monolithic and one-dimensional. I have to think something more is possible here.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
Incredible aromas of wet earth, morning dew and fresh mushrooms. Dried flowers and fresh fruit, too. Full body, firm and ultra-fine tannins and great length. Polished and holistic. The finest tannins I have ever had from here. A wine for a lifetime. Classic, great nebbiolo. Try in 2023.
Reviewed by: James Suckling
The aromas are so complex yet subtle wtih wet earth, mushrooms and dark fruits. Dried flowers as well. Full body, chewy tannins that are ultra-fine and powerful, yet there is a finesse and beauty to them as I said from barrel. Classic, great nebbiolo. Try in 2023.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2015 Barolo Ornato is dense and muscular, as it so often is. Rich, potent Serralunga tannins wrap around a core of smoke, grilled herbs, licorice, chalk, dried flowers, tobacco and plum notes. In the glass, the 2015 exudes virile intensity and power, but there is less in the way of finesse. Ultimately, the Ornato comes across as a bit monolithic and one-dimensional. I have to think something more is possible here.
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.
