Ornellaia
Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2020
Bolgheri DOC Rosso
Coming primarily from the Ornellaia’s younger vineyard sites and made with the same passion and attention to detail as the estate’s flagship wine, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia combines generosity and depth of flavor with an engaging and vibrant personality. Made to be more approachable, yet delivering the quality experience of Ornellaia, Merlot has a dominant role in this wine in contrast to the Cabernet Sauvignon in Ornellaia.
Vineyard
The Ornellaia vineyard totals 280 acres that are divided into more than 70 vineyard plots according to soil type, exposition and varietal. There are three major soil types: marine (sedimentary deposit from the sea), alluvial (marly, sandy clays with mineral veins), and volcanic (schist, gravel and porous soils). All the vineyards are about 3 miles from the Mediterranean shore. The mild maritime climate features sea breezes that keep the sky clear, low rainfall, and long summers that favor the development of aromatic compounds. Vineyards are planted at high density, from 5,000-8,700 hl/ha, and feature several training systems – spur-pruned cordon, single Guyot, and head-pruned vines.
Winemaking
The clusters were hand-picked into 15-kg boxes and then selected by hand on a double sorting table, before and after de-stemming, and finally gently crushed. Each variety and each parcel was vinified separately. Alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel, at temperatures of between 26° and 30°C for two weeks followed by maceration of around 10-15 days. Malolactic fermentation was started in stainless steel, and completed after transfer to barrels (25% new and 75% a year old). The wine remained in Ornellaia’s temperature-controlled cellar for a further 15 months. It was assembled after the first 12 months and then reintroduced in the barrels for a further 3 months. After bottling, it was aged for an additional six months prior to release.
Vintage
After a mild and rainy winter, there was a temporary drop in temperatures in March at the very start of the budding in the last week of the month. The rest of spring had generally warm weather with normal rainfall that ensured regular vegetative development until flowering. There was an intense rainy period in the middle of June, followed by a very long dry period with a substantial absence of rain and torrid temperatures until the end of August. The veraison was homogeneous and rapid, with the grapes beginning to ripen under a blazing sun. Welcome rains came at the end of August and brought a considerable drop in temperatures with them: ideal conditions for the Merlots to complete their ripening. They were harvested early and quickly.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Appellation
Bolgheri DOC Rosso
Alcohol
14.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$82.00
Reviews
"Wrap thickly over palate"
Wine Advocate - June 21, 2022
"The Ornellaia 2020 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia (a proprietary blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) is a generous and darkly toned red blend that has the extra fruit fiber, sweetness and generous plumpness of a warm vintage. The fullness of the fruit is on full display, but in a very relaxed and natural manner. The wine never feels like too much. The tannins are yielding and velvety, and this purebred Tuscan red wraps thickly over the palate. It's poised for near- and medium-term drinking." - M.L
"Muscular Red"
Wine Spectator - October 5, 2022
"This muscular red is saturated with cherry, plum, vanilla and earth flavors. As solid and sinewy as the tannic structure is, the fruit matches it step by step on the long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot." - B.S 10/22
"Tremendous Value"
Jeb Dunnuck - January 27, 2023
"Expressive with floral notes as well as dried lavender, sage, and black cherry [...] The palate is full bodied, with fine tannins and refreshing acidity. It is long on the palate and cleans up with a soft texture, and there is ripe fruit through the mid-palate. This wine offers tremendous value packed in dollar-for-dollar." - A.F 1/23
"Cinnamon and Flowers"
Jancis Robinson - July 27, 2023
"Currants and bark with some cinnamon and flowers. Round and velvety with spice and chocolate as well as walnuts. Long and flavorful. 44% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, and 13% Cabernet Franc." - A.F 7/23
"Total harmony and balance"
Vinous - August 4, 2023
"The 2020 Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is a very pretty and elegant wine. The aromatics alone are beguiling. Crushed flowers, spice, menthol, mocha, dark red cherry and cedar all grace this super-expressive, mid-weight Serre Nuove. The 2020 is a wine of total harmony and balance."-A.G. 8/23
Reviews
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Trade Materials
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