Pio Cesare Ornato Barolo

Pio Cesare Ornato Barolo – an iconic royal wine from Serralunga d’Alba

Profound, complex, and powerful: the Pio Cesare Ornato Barolo is a benchmark example of classic Nebbiolo from the prestigious Barolo DOCG in Piedmont. Sourced from the famous cru Cascina Ornato in Serralunga d’Alba, this wine embodies elegance and tradition. With its ruby-red color, aromas of red fruit, tobacco, and spice, and its refined structure, this Barolo stands among the finest. It’s no surprise that it received 98 points from James Suckling and 95 points from Robert Parker —

A rare confirmation of its exceptional quality. Also try the other Barolo from Pio Cesare and their Barbera!

Tasting profile and experience

The bouquet reveals a rich palette of small red fruits and rose petals, with subtle spicy notes of licorice and tobacco. As the wine opens up, earthy undertones, cedarwood, and gentle spices emerge. On the palate, it shows power and depth: firm Nebbiolo tannins are perfectly balanced by fresh acidity. Red fruit and floral nuances form the core, while the long, intense finish reveals elegant depth. A Barolo that is both powerful and refined, promising decades of graceful evolution in the bottle.

Food pairings

The Ornato Barolo calls for rich and refined dishes:

• Classic Piedmontese dishes such as bagna cauda
• Pasta with white truffle from Alba
• Slow-cooked stews and brasato al Barolo
• Game dishes such as venison or wild boar
• Aged cheeses like Parmigiano, Castelmagno, and Gorgonzola

Serve at 16–18°C and decant several hours before serving for optimal expression.

The historic Pio Cesare estate

Founded in 1881, the Pio Cesare winery is among the most respected names in Piedmont. Located within the ancient Roman walls of Alba, it remains a family-owned estate representing five generations of winemaking expertise. Pio Cesare is renowned for its classic style that stays true to the terroir, enhanced by subtle modern touches that ensure finesse and precision.

The grapes for Ornato Barolo come exclusively from the Cascina Ornato cru in Serralunga d’Alba, an area known for producing powerful and structured Nebbiolo. The grapes are hand-harvested and carefully selected. After an extended maceration of over 30 days in stainless steel, the wine is aged traditionally: 30 months in large Slovenian oak botti, partly complemented by smaller French barriques for an added layer of complexity.

The 2020 vintage

The 2020 vintage produced Nebbiolo grapes of outstanding quality, thanks to a perfect balance of sunshine and rainfall. The result is a wine with a deep ruby-red color that will gradually evolve into garnet tones over time. This vintage combines strength and elegance, highlighting the freshness of Serralunga’s terroir. With its high ratings from international critics, the Pio Cesare Ornato Barolo 2020 ranks among the most impressive vintages of recent decades—a wine that already shows greatness today, yet will richly reward those who have the patience to let it mature.