Pio Cesare
Ornato Barolo Nebbiolo
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Popped and poured. Presented double-blind; no formal notes. There’s a nice mix of red and dark fruits. Some light staining to the glass. The attack was slightly sweet and there’s quite a bit of structure. I was definitely in Italy…but was it Nebbiolo or Sangiovese? I felt the acid sort of took precedence over the tannin. Between that and the slight bit of vanilla and baking spice, this had me leaning Sangiovese-based blend from Toscano; from a modern producer. So I called that: IGT Super Tuscan from 2013. Welp…it was the 2010 “Ornato”. One of those reminders to me: if you don’t drink this style of Barolo, it’s hard to call it blind. Anyway, I thought this was a nice wine but didn’t give me the feels that I want and frankly, with such great land like the Ornato MGA in a classic vintage like 2010, I just want more from this. Perhaps I’m being too critical. Perhaps this needs more time? Drink now with patience or drink through 2035…it could probably go longer.
Popped and poured. Presented double-blind; no formal notes. There’s a nice mix of red and dark fruits. Some light staining to the glass. The attack was slightly sweet and there’s quite a bit of structure. I was definitely in Italy…but was it Nebbiolo or Sangiovese? I felt the acid sort of took precedence over the tannin. Between that and the slight bit of vanilla and baking spice, this had me leaning Sangiovese-based blend from Toscano; from a modern producer. So I called that: IGT Super Tuscan from 2013. Welp…it was the 2010 “Ornato”. One of those reminders to me: if you don’t drink this style of Barolo, it’s hard to call it blind. Anyway, I thought this was a nice wine but didn’t give me the feels that I want and frankly, with such great land like the Ornato MGA in a classic vintage like 2010, I just want more from this. Perhaps I’m being too critical. Perhaps this needs more time? Drink now with patience or drink through 2035…it could probably go longer.
Mar 24th, 2023
Epic infanticide...
Destiny to be an icon.
I feel dirty.
Epic infanticide...
Destiny to be an icon.
I feel dirty.
Darker fruit tar damp earth. Rushing acidity and firm bit fine grained tannin. Of course i'd have to be sick and stuffy on the day of a pio tasting #thirstworldproblems
Darker fruit tar damp earth. Rushing acidity and firm bit fine grained tannin. Of course i'd have to be sick and stuffy on the day of a pio tasting #thirstworldproblems
Mar 19th, 2016
Feminine feline strength, substantial tannic backbone, angular yet inviting. Loved the nose and sweet tannins. I thought it was far more opulent and open than I expected. Needs air. Evolved at hour 4.
Feminine feline strength, substantial tannic backbone, angular yet inviting. Loved the nose and sweet tannins. I thought it was far more opulent and open than I expected. Needs air. Evolved at hour 4.
Dec 19th, 2015
Always a winner and model of consistency, albeit a bit too young at this stage.
Always a winner and model of consistency, albeit a bit too young at this stage.
Oct 30th, 2014
Light garnet with bricking rim. Crushed rock, herbal, black cherry, tar and some floral element break through the glass. In the mouth the Serralunga character shows in its power but it is well balanced by a great acidity. Finishes long. Really good.
Light garnet with bricking rim. Crushed rock, herbal, black cherry, tar and some floral element break through the glass. In the mouth the Serralunga character shows in its power but it is well balanced by a great acidity. Finishes long. Really good.
Mar 21st, 2020
I had a bottle of this Barolo a few months ago and it was firing on all cylinders. I would have scored it 95 then. Yesterday at ZAFFERANO, however, the wine was a bit closed and it took quite some time to open up, which eventually did but it was towards the end of the meal. My wife loved it, in any event, and probably drank it more than I did. Yesterday, I would have scored it 91, since it has structure, power and you can feel the tension, but the nose wasn't too complex.
I had a bottle of this Barolo a few months ago and it was firing on all cylinders. I would have scored it 95 then. Yesterday at ZAFFERANO, however, the wine was a bit closed and it took quite some time to open up, which eventually did but it was towards the end of the meal. My wife loved it, in any event, and probably drank it more than I did. Yesterday, I would have scored it 91, since it has structure, power and you can feel the tension, but the nose wasn't too complex.
Nov 18th, 2017
Over time this will likely become a great wine but is way too young at this point ... We were craving a Barolo so we stretched a bit. #barolo #steak #whistler
Over time this will likely become a great wine but is way too young at this point ... We were craving a Barolo so we stretched a bit. #barolo #steak #whistler
Jan 4th, 2016This will be a great wine in about 5 years. It was a little tight, but that would be expected at a wine tasting (the bottle could have just been opened). The glass was rich and flavorful. This is a great producer of Barolo. Cheers!!
This will be a great wine in about 5 years. It was a little tight, but that would be expected at a wine tasting (the bottle could have just been opened). The glass was rich and flavorful. This is a great producer of Barolo. Cheers!!
May 9th, 2015