Ornellaia 2016 “La Tensione”
Ornellaia is a cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot and the faithful expression of unique terroir developed in harmony with nature. 2016 represents another immensely successful vintage highlighting all the virtues of Bolgheri’s climate: abundant sunshine, without excessive heat, a dry summer to allow the grapes to achieve perfect ripeness and concentration, and just about enough rain to avoid stress. All these elements combine to yield a wine that shows lush ripeness and crisp firmness, opposing forces creating a sense of dense raciness we like to describe as “tension”.
Particularly dark and young colour is the prelude to a complex nose of black berries, spices and cedar. The palate is rich and dense, balanced by a refined and firm tannic structure, lifted by a juicy and bright acidity. 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
Awards
- Wine Advocate 98
- James Suckling 98
- Wine Spectator 96
- Antonio Galloni 96+
Locations I Italian Red Wine
With over 2000 indigenous grape varieties to select and compose a blend, an exhaustive search was undertaken to pay homage to this historic region. Maintaining the integrity of the land was paramount while simultaneously considering the end result of a dynamic and innovative wine. Powerful and rich fruit from Puglia (Torricella and Manduria) serves as the base with a lively vein of acidity from Barbera (Alba) that stabilizes things in just the right way.
A vast array of aromas escapes the glass—black cherry, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cured meat—which are complemented by shades of sandalwood, vanilla, balsa and evergreen. e entry is silky smooth with a textured mid-palate of velvety fig, blueberry jam and soft oak. A hint of sea salt on the finish is rounded out with a mouthfeel that fades slowly.
A blend of Negroamaro and Nero d’Avola from the Southern region of Puglia combined with Barbera from Piemonte in the North.
Barrel aged 10 months prior to release.
"The black-olive, blueberry and blackberry character, combined with stone and orange peel is very attractive. Full to medium body. Solid core of fruit and a flavorful, zesty finish. A blend of negroamaro, nero d’avola and barbera. Drink now." - 92 points, James Suckling
Luce Lucente 2019
A cold and sunny winter was followed by a spring characterized by low average temperatures and heavy precipitation, which contributed to the creation of important water reserves in the soil. The reduced sunlight coupled with the heavy rainfall resulted in a slight delay in the vegetative cycle of the grapevine. Flowering took place between the end of May and early June, after which the growing season continued regularly with a hot summer free of excessive temperatures and some rainfall occurring between late July and early August. The mild temperatures in September and the good water reserves supported a slow and regular ripening of the grapes.
Lucente 2019 is an intense purplish red wine. The nose is characterized by notes of ripe red fruit, raspberries and sour cherries, combined with a touch of vanilla and a slight balsamic hint. On the palate, the wine is soft, balanced and well-supported by a pleasant crispness and smooth tannins, characteristics that together with its sweet aftertaste give the wine a persistent finish.
Food Pairing: Beef, Lamb, Veal, Poultry, Cured Meat
"Lots of blue fruit, graphite and stone aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with tight and linear tannins and a fresh, vivid finish. Punchy, yet fine, suggesting two to four years of bottle will soften the wine." - 94 points, James Suckling
Luce 2019
TUSCAN TRADITION
2019: a balanced and late vintage. A cold and sunny winter was followed by a spring characterized by low average temperatures and heavy rainfall, which contributed to the creation of important water reserves in the soil. The reduced sunlight coupled with the heavy rainfall resulted in a slight delay of about ten days in the vegetative cycle of the grapevines. The flowering phase took place in early June, after which the growing season continued regularly with a hot summer free of excessive temperatures and some rainfall occurring between late July and early August, which supported a vigorous and efficient growth of the leaves. The mild temperatures in September and the good water reserves supported a slow and regular ripening of the grapes, which resulted in perfectly ripe, highly intense tannins rich in aromatic freshness. The harvest began with a sunny climate on September 12 with the first Merlot grapes, continued with Sangiovese in late September and early October. The wines are structured showing balance, vigor and great aging potential. Luce 2019 has an intense ruby red color. The nose is striking with its floral hints of violet and rose accompanied by red fruits such as raspberries and sweet spices. In the mouth, the wine is balanced and elegant with an almost creamy texture supported by silky and well-integrated tannins. Spicy notes accompany the persistent finish. Food Pairing: Beef, Lamb, Veal, Poultry, Cured Meat
Luce 2020
Intense ruby red in color, Luce 2020 stands out on the nose for its complexity and elegance, characterized by ripe black fruits, particularly blackberry and mulberry, which are joined by hints of cocoa and sweet spices. On the palate it is harmonious, lively, with excellent structure, balanced by vibrant acidity and soft, silky tannins that give an elegant finish with great persistence.
Food Pairing: Beef, Lamb, Veal, Poultry, Cured Meat "Very pretty orange peel with currants and blue berries. Flowers, too. Medium to full body with firm and velvety tannins that are polished and impressive. Fresh fruit at the end. Serious structure and brightness." - 95 points, James Suckling "The nose is dense and powerful, exhibiting lush black fruits and chocolate, and it became more perfumed with aeration. The attack is zesty and vigorous, spicy and assertive, but there's no excessive extraction and the tannins are polished. Despite a hint of tar and liquorice, the black fruits dominate. Well balanced, with both grip and texture, and a very long finish, this will age well." - 95 points, Decanter
Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2020
Made with the same passion and attention to detail as Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is a true “second vin”. A blend of Merlot (32%), Cabernet Sauvignon (33%), Cabernet Franc (18%) & Petit Verdot (17%), it combines approachability and a depth of flavour with proven ageing potential.
Characterized by a lively ruby red colour, Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2018 is a wine of great aromatic complexity, a distinctive feature of this vintage. In the glass, aromas of berries, blackberry, raspberry and red cherry are accompanied by floral hints of wild rose and spicy notes of pink pepper and liquorice. On tasting, the wine has a good tannic structure, enveloping and balanced, with a crisp and savoury finish.
Ornellaia 2020
Bolgheri DOC Superiore Rosso
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.
Winemaker's notes
“With its usual deep ruby red colour, Ornellaia 2020 stands out on the nose with ripe red fruits and delicate vanilla and gentle tobacco notes. Upon tasting, the wine reveals itself to be rounded and velvety, making an enjoyable and engaging first impression that entices for a second sip. The tannins are dense yet elegant and the finish proves to be savoury and enduring.” - Olga Fusari
Arnaldo Rivera Barolo DOCG Vignarionda 2018
Wine produced from a single vineyard facing due south at an elevation of 330 m/1082 ft asl.
- Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo.
- Vinification: Fermentation and maceration on the skins for about three weeks in stainless steel at a controlled temperature. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in wood.
- Aging: 32 months in cask.
- Average Annual Production: 3400 bottles
Arnaldo Rivera Barolo DOCG Rocche di Castiglione 2018
Medium-intense ruby red colour. Complex and elegant nose. Notes of ripe red fruit (cherry, red berries) floral (rose petals with a hint of chamomile) and mineral nuances. Good intensity on the palate, fresh, well- balanced, silky, mouth-filling and rounded. The tannins are well-integrated. Long and persistent finish with good freshness.
Food pairings: Meat dishes such as game, red meats and seasoned cheeses.
Arnaldo Rivera Barolo DOCG Undicicomuni 2018
Ruby red with garnet shades. The nose is elegant, with notes of cherry, plum and rose, followed by violet, berries, tobacco, cinnamon, licorice and vanilla. On the palate it is balanced, intense and with a pleasant freshness.
Serving temperature: 18/20 °C
"Quite dense and loamy on the nose with hints of dried red fruit and spice. Medium to full body and firm, fruit-coated tannins. Lots of energy and drive on the palate, giving a long, long finish. Give this plenty of time to unravel. Best from 2024." - 92 points, James Suckling
