Tasting Notes
Vinous 91
The 2013 Barolo Ornato is a powerful, authoritative wine with plenty of tannic heft, muscle and darkness. Today, the Ornato comes across as a bit squashed by its oak and not fully expressive. I expected more, given the quality of this site and vintage. Both bottles I tasted of the 2013 Ornato were decidedly lackluster relative to recent vintages. Perhaps I have been unlucky, but based on what I have seen so far, the Ornato is one of the few disappointments of 2013.
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2033
JancisRobinson.com 15
Light nose, fairly dilute fruit. Even the tannin seems a little wan. (RH)
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2021
Robert Parker 95+
This wine represents a slight stylistic departure compared to past editions. The 2013 Barolo Ornato sees fruit sourced from Serralunga d’Alba from a site that is known for its power and concentration. This wine’s identity is tightly linked to the wide popularity of this more robust taste profile. Pio Cesare opted to use a little less barrique and more delicate punch downs instead of pump overs (that tend to increase tannins and bitterness). They have also opted to increase maceration times by a slight margin. The results are spectacular. This is a wine I have always admired and I’m pleased to say that it just got better. Dark fruit and plum segue to soft spice, leather and licorice.
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2035
