"Red Wine of the Year"/Three Glasses, Gambero Rosso: "The lively and expressive Barolo Ornato '16 exhibits magnificent personality. It's rich in red berry sensations, with a delicious hint of licorice, exceptionally long and harmonious on the palate, with a suffused, austere halo that brings out its charm and substance. For us this excellent Ornato is our Red Wine of the Year. (2021)"
98 points James Suckling: "The blue fruit and freshness are impressive here. At the same time, there’s richness and focus with ripe fruit. Yet, it remains cool and bright. Superb center palate with great fruit and depth, but compact and focused. Needs three or four years to come together. Better after 2021. (8/5/20)"
96 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "[$144 list] With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, the Pio Cesare 2016 Barolo Ornato offers a stunning presentation in this classic vintage. The bouquet shows small berry fruits and cassis, all framed by crushed stone, forest floor, blue flower and candied orange skin. There is a dusty mineral note to this wine as well, with terrific intensity on both the nose and the palate. The Ornato kicks in with finely integrated tannins and acidity that holds all those fruit flavors high and tall. What we have here is a standout Barolo that is staunchly vertical, linear and upfront. Some 10,000 bottles were produced. Drink: 2023-2045. (Jul 2020)"
96 points Michaela Morris (Decanter): "An understated toastiness gives way to dark cocoa, mint and rosemary, then liquorice and wet leaves. The palate is racy with steely firm tannins, tactile chalkiness, lingering sappy acidity and appetising porcini notes. A very umami Barolo. Ageing is predominantly in large cask with a small portion in barriques for the first 12 months. Pio Cesare has been producing an Ornato bottling since 1985. Recent vintages show more restraint and sophistication than in the past while staying true to the power and structure of this site. It is a great direction. Drinking Window: 2024-2039. (Jan 2022)"
95+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2016 Barolo Ornato is a gorgeous wine. Moreover, it very clearly represents a shift towards a more classic style. I think this is the first time I have tasted the real character of Serralunga in Pio Cesare’s Ornato. I don’t mean the rich, oak-laden textures of the past, but the wild herbs, minerals and ferrous notes that are typical of so many wines in this sector of Serralunga. A wine of power and intensity, the Ornato is so impressive in 2016. It will need a few years to soften (at least), but there is plenty to look forward to. Drink: 2026-2041. (Oct 2020)"
95 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "The Ornato cru was first produced by the estate in 1985 from vines located in the southern area of Serralunga d’Alba. The 2016 Barolo Ornato has aromas of redcurrant, cedar, tar, and dried sage. The palate is firmly structured, with cherry pit, black tea, and stony earth. Patience will be rewarded for cellaring for 3-6 years. Drink: 2025-2048. (5/27/21)" 94 points Wine Spectator: "[$144 list] This is refined and taut, delivering a finely woven matrix of cherry, black currant, tar, iron and oak spice flavors. It's firm and long, with equilibrium and a lingering aftertaste. Stays vibrant and focused from beginning to end. Best from 2024 through 2045. 240 cases imported. (11/11/20)"
94 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Aromas of rose petal, underbrush, crushed botanical herb and woodland berry mingle with a whiff of hazelnut. On the linear, precise palate, tight, fine-grained tannins accompany sour cherry, blood orange, licorice and coffee bean. Drink 2024–2036. (May 2020)"
98 points James Suckling: "The blue fruit and freshness are impressive here. At the same time, there’s richness and focus with ripe fruit. Yet, it remains cool and bright. Superb center palate with great fruit and depth, but compact and focused. Needs three or four years to come together. Better after 2021. (8/5/20)"
96 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "[$144 list] With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, the Pio Cesare 2016 Barolo Ornato offers a stunning presentation in this classic vintage. The bouquet shows small berry fruits and cassis, all framed by crushed stone, forest floor, blue flower and candied orange skin. There is a dusty mineral note to this wine as well, with terrific intensity on both the nose and the palate. The Ornato kicks in with finely integrated tannins and acidity that holds all those fruit flavors high and tall. What we have here is a standout Barolo that is staunchly vertical, linear and upfront. Some 10,000 bottles were produced. Drink: 2023-2045. (Jul 2020)"
96 points Michaela Morris (Decanter): "An understated toastiness gives way to dark cocoa, mint and rosemary, then liquorice and wet leaves. The palate is racy with steely firm tannins, tactile chalkiness, lingering sappy acidity and appetising porcini notes. A very umami Barolo. Ageing is predominantly in large cask with a small portion in barriques for the first 12 months. Pio Cesare has been producing an Ornato bottling since 1985. Recent vintages show more restraint and sophistication than in the past while staying true to the power and structure of this site. It is a great direction. Drinking Window: 2024-2039. (Jan 2022)"
95+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2016 Barolo Ornato is a gorgeous wine. Moreover, it very clearly represents a shift towards a more classic style. I think this is the first time I have tasted the real character of Serralunga in Pio Cesare’s Ornato. I don’t mean the rich, oak-laden textures of the past, but the wild herbs, minerals and ferrous notes that are typical of so many wines in this sector of Serralunga. A wine of power and intensity, the Ornato is so impressive in 2016. It will need a few years to soften (at least), but there is plenty to look forward to. Drink: 2026-2041. (Oct 2020)"
95 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "The Ornato cru was first produced by the estate in 1985 from vines located in the southern area of Serralunga d’Alba. The 2016 Barolo Ornato has aromas of redcurrant, cedar, tar, and dried sage. The palate is firmly structured, with cherry pit, black tea, and stony earth. Patience will be rewarded for cellaring for 3-6 years. Drink: 2025-2048. (5/27/21)" 94 points Wine Spectator: "[$144 list] This is refined and taut, delivering a finely woven matrix of cherry, black currant, tar, iron and oak spice flavors. It's firm and long, with equilibrium and a lingering aftertaste. Stays vibrant and focused from beginning to end. Best from 2024 through 2045. 240 cases imported. (11/11/20)"
94 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Aromas of rose petal, underbrush, crushed botanical herb and woodland berry mingle with a whiff of hazelnut. On the linear, precise palate, tight, fine-grained tannins accompany sour cherry, blood orange, licorice and coffee bean. Drink 2024–2036. (May 2020)"
| Product SKU | 702922 |
| Producer | Pio Cesare |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| SubRegion | Barolo DOCG |
| Varietal | Nebbiolo |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Ships To |
