2015 Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato
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Tasting notes
Gorgeous all the way, the 2015 Barolo Ornato is flawlessly balanced and elegant, with medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of caramelized cherries, toasted spices, dried flowers, and licorice. As with many 2015s, it has lots of upfront appeal with its sweet Nebbiolo fruit, but this has the depth, balance, and length to evolve for 20-25 years or more. It’s beautifully done and well worth seeking out.
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
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.
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.
Serralunga d’Alba. Tasted blind. Mid ruby. Balsamic with a faint note of Moroccan leather. Plenty of plush fruit and a rich layer of soft, chewy tannins. (WS)