The Barolos of Serralunga d’Alba have a bit of a reputation. The region is held in high regard for rich, intense, structured Barolo. Pio Cesare’s single-vineyard Barolo comes from three plots in the family’s Ornato Estate, one of Barolo’s top vineyards, in the western part of the commune. The fruit is exceptionally ripe, and consistently produces bright, robust, focused wines with incredible complexity and length.

Grapes were fermented in stainless steel with skin contact for 15 days, then left to macerate on skins for 30 days. The wine aged in medium-toast French oak for 30 months (the majority in new barriques, the remainder in 25 hectolitre casks). This is a deep, powerful wine – age-worthy Nebbiolo of the highest order. It is completely reasonable to suggest that its prime drinking window is two decades from now.

“This is beautifully crafted with ultra-fine tannins with cherries, berries, and flowers. Medium to full body. Lovely length. Very classic in structure. Linear and racy. Tight at the end. Give it four to six years of bottle age. Try after 2027.”
97 points, James Suckling, July 2023

“Shining in sensory richness, baroque but not at all ostentatious, Ornato shows complexity by alternating notes of jasmine, black plums, blackberries, bergamot, lemongrass, vetiver, sandalwood, cumin and toasted hazelnuts. Many dried flowers describe the secondary scene, increasing its complexity and giving the classic imprint to a graceful and tasty wine. Medium to full body, perfectly ripe tannins and a savoury Mediterranean finish. A real amphitheater in Serralunga d’Alba. Best from 2026.”
97 points, Wine Critics, November 2022

“The Pio Cesare 2019 Barolo Ornato sources its fruit from one of the best-known MGA sites in Serralunga d’Alba. The character of this wine always prizes structure and power, and these qualities are especially evident in a vintage like 2019 that offers more concentrated fruit to begin with. Ornato is infused with dark berry nuances contrasted against savory tones of spice, tar and smoke. It closes with finely textured tannins. Production is 13,029 bottles, 600 magnums and other large formats.”
95+ points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, August 2023