The Ornato Single Vineyard Barolo is made from grapes grown on Pio Cesare’s estate near Serralunga d’Alba. Wines made in this region are said to be especially dense and powerful. This is a wine that is aged in an unusually high (70%) proportion of new oak barrels. Specifically (and Barolo is all about detail), a small amount of the wine initially ages in French oak before being rejoined with the rest of the wine to continue ageing for a total of 30 months in traditional oak Botti.

That said the concentration of the flavours from the fruit and the aromatic intensity of the wine balances this oak influence and – if anything – makes it more approachable in its youth. This is an outstanding expression of Nebbiolo and can be drunk now or cellared for well over a decade.