Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC - Tenuta dell'Ornellaia - 2022

75 cl

Falstaff: 94 points

Alcohol content: 14.5% vol.

Grape varieties: 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc

Vinification:

Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia comes mainly from the estate's younger vineyards and is produced with the same dedication and attention to detail as Ornellaia. The grapes for Le Serre Nuove are harvested by hand and rigorously selected. Each grape variety and parcel is vinified separately. Alcoholic fermentation takes place for a fortnight in stainless steel at temperatures between 26° and 30°C, followed by maceration for a total of 10-15 days. The young wines mature for 15 months in 25% new and 75% used barriques. After the first twelve months of maturation, they are blended into a cuvée and refined for a further three months in barriques. The young wine then rests in the bottle for around six months before being released onto the market.

Tasting note:

Rich, impenetrable, dark, shiny ruby colour. Fine bouquet, subtle notes of blackcurrant, followed by mocha and cocoa. Impressive and delicate on the palate, elegant and expansive, well-integrated wood, finely woven tannins, animating to drink, retronasal herbal spice and a long, persistent finish with a fine tannin structure.

Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is the renowned second wine of the world-famous winery Ornellaia from Tuscany. It combines the prestigious heritage of its „big brother“ with earlier drinkability and approachability.

Region: The wine comes from Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast (Maremma).

Microclimate: The vineyards are nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the undulating hinterland. The maritime climate brings cooling sea breezes and plenty of reflected light.

Soils & Altitude: The vines grow at an altitude of between 50 and 400 metres above sea level. The soil is extremely complex and consists of Clay, chalk, marl, sand and pebbles (alluvial soils).

Owner: The vineyard is wholly owned by the long-established Florentine noble family Marchesi Frescobaldi, which has been involved in winegrowing for over 700 years.

History: Ornellaia was founded in 1981 by Marchese Ludovico Antinori. Following a number of changes of ownership (including a period of involvement by Robert Mondavi), the Frescobaldi family took full control of the estate in 2005.

Grape varieties: A classic Bordeaux blend („Super Tuscan“), typically dominated by Merlot, supplemented by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Wine-making: It is produced with the same meticulous care and philosophy as Ornellaia’s first wine. Each plot is vinified separately. The wine matures for around 18 months in barriques.

Character: Compared with the first wine, it is evident that Le Serre Nuove softer, richer, fruitier and much more approachable.

Eye: A deep, intense ruby red.

Nose: Aromas of ripe black cherries, wild berries and dark fruits, combined with subtle toasted notes, mocha, cocoa and a fresh, balsamic hint of mint.

Palate: On the palate, it is velvety and elegant, with a dense, powerful structure. The tannins are perfectly integrated and supple, followed by a long, spicy finish.

Detailed knowledge of the vines and their careful care form the basis of our approach to the estate's terroir. Ornellaia's vineyards consist of many small plots, each of which is cultivated individually in order to express its unique character in absolute harmony with the respective vintage.

Part of the Ornellaia area was once covered by the Mediterranean - sandy deposits, marl and marine fossils bear witness to this prehistoric era. At a slightly higher altitude, clay soils interspersed with limestone gravel of varying sizes come to light.

The soils of Ornellaia are of marine, alluvial and volcanic origin. Over time, people have become increasingly adept at making the most of their respective qualities. The vineyards are thus divided into dozens of plots: each one is a microcosm with its own identity and character. Mediterranean scrub thrives all around the vineyards.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the estate’s main grape varieties, followed by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

For the white wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Viognier, Verdicchio and Vermentino cultivated. The rows of vines are mainly facing south-west, so as to make the most of even the last rays of the sun before it sets over the sea.