A complex and complete wine with black cherry, mushrooms, wet earth and plum. Full-bodied, yet so refined and caressing in texture. Wonderful length and beauty. You want to drink it now but it will give so much more in the future.

Pio Cesare's 2011 Barolo Ornato is an opulent and exuberant wine that delivers all the fullness, roundness and soft ripeness of the vintage. Ornato is designed as a softer expression of Nebbiolo (it sees 18 months in barrique plus one year in traditional oak cask). This richer style suits the wine very well in 2011. It peels back to reveal deep layers of black cherry, blackberry preserves, spice and leather. It will lose some of its baby fat with five years or more in the cellar. - Monica Larner

Lean and taut, with cherry, strawberry, leather and tobacco flavors fused to a burr of tannins. Though compact on the finish, where accents of vanilla and spice linger, this builds pleasantly, remaining fresh and long. Best from 2018 through 2030. 0210 cases imported. –BS