ORNELLAIA 2019

Ornellaia 2019
Bolgheri DOC Superiore Rosso

“A youthful red, concentrated and balanced, with blackberry, plum, earth and spice flavors gaining lift from the vibrant structure, while tannins envelop the lively fruit components. The finish is shored up by fine-grained tannins. This has all the components in the right place. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2043. 2,000 cases imported.” – 96/100, Wine Spectator

VARIETIES: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc
REGION: Italy / Central Italy / Toscana / Bolgheri / Bolgheri Superiore
AGEING: Malolactic fermentation took place mainly in oak barrels, 70% new and 30% used once. The wine then remained in barriques, in Ornellaia’s temperature-controlled cellars for about 18 months. After the first 12 months of maturation, the wine was assembled and then returned to the barriques for an additional 6 months. After bottling, the wine aged a further 12 months prior to release
GUARDING POTENTIAL: Try from 2025 or will cellar well up to 20 years
SERVE: Serve at 16 – 18ºC
FITS TO: Pair well with Grigliata Mista di Carne, Stracotto alla Fiorentina, Classico Cibrèo alla Fiorentina or regional cheeses such as Pecorino Toscano Stagionato DOP, Cacio Marzolino, Caprino Toscano
CRITICS SCORES: D/98, RP/97, JS/97, JD/97, WS/96
VIVINO: Average 4.6 ★★★★✰

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2019 | Vintage | Ornellaia

Ornellaia is a blend of nature and musing. Complex ancient soils converse through human wisdom with a delicate microclimate that is echoed and reflected in the Mediterranean Sea. Prolonged ageing accompanies the estate’s fine wine in achieving its utmost expression, revealing finesse and generosity over time.

More than most vintages, 2019 was characterized by a highly variable climate, which alternated periods of cold and rain with long bouts of drought and heat. After a normal winter, the budding took place in the first week of April. The cold and rainy conditions throughout April and May significantly slowed down the vegetative vine growth, leading to a 10-day delay in flowering compared to the average. Very hot, rainless weather suddenly arrived in June, reaching temperature peaks of 37°C at the end of the month. The weather stayed warm and sunny throughout the summer with temperatures 2°C above average and 45 consecutive days without rain. The long dry period was interrupted by two days of rain in the last week of July, bringing the temperature back to the seasonal norm, with ideal conditions for ripening. The harvest began slowly on 5th September. As usual, the last week of September saw a lowering of temperatures which made it possible to preserve a great finesse and aromatic freshness. Sunny conditions returned after another rainy event on 21st September, which allowed us to conclude the harvest of the later ripening varieties on 4th October.

“This is a powerful, intriguing and mysterious Ornellaia. The wine does not reveal all the facets immediately in the glass, but envelop the palate with a curiosity to discern the nuances over time.” – Olga Fusari