Ornellaia
Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2016
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
As what seems to be becoming increasingly the norm, the winter of 2016 was characterized by abnormally warm weather with heavy rainfall in February. Budbreak took place on time in the last week of March. The abundance of water in the soil and the warm weather in April led to quick and normal vegetative vine growth. Towards May temperatures returned to normal, slowing the growth down slightly, bringing about the flowering which took place in the last week of May with dry sunny weather, perfect for a good fruit-set. The summer was average with very little rain favouring a notable water stress towards the end of the ripening stage. The usual August holiday period storms were also absent, maintaining a state of hydric stress through the first part of the harvest, but luckily with temperatures that significantly cooled off at night, allowing the vines to recover from the daytime temperatures. Ripening went on steadily building up excellent phenolic potential and a balanced sugar/acidity ratio. Harvest started early on the 24th August with young vine Merlot. By mid- September a few rain showers arrived, that allowed to complete harvest under virtually perfect conditions, sunny, but moderately warm, and enough water in the soil to prevent the vines from shutting down. Harvest was concluded on the 12th of October with the last Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.
Tasting Note
“The 2016 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is made with fruit from the same vineyard plots that go into the Bolgheri Superiore, only this is a second selection if you will. Generally speaking, fruit from the younger vines goes here. This wine gives us a very pretty glimpse of what we can expect of the high-end releases from this classic vintage. The fruit is rock solid, delineated, tonic and firm. The pleasure
factor awarded here is very high thanks to the wine’s inner softness, silky tannins and soothing extract. The bouquet is seamless and pristine.”
– Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Appellation
Bolgheri DOC Rosso
Alcohol
14.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$82.00
Reviews
"Seamless and pristine"
Wine Advocate - March 5, 2019 “This is a fantastic interpretation from Bolgheri. The 2016 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is made with fruit from the same vineyard plots that go into the Bolgheri Superiore, only this is a second selection if you will. Generally speaking, fruit from the younger vines goes here. This wine gives us a very pretty glimpse of what we can expect of the high-end releases from this classic vintage. The fruit is rock solid, delineated, tonic and firm. The pleasure factor awarded here is very high thanks to the wine’s inner softness, silky tannins and soothing extract. The bouquet is seamless and pristine.”
"Succulent, voluptuous"
Vinous - March 11, 2019 "The 2016 Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is a dark, enveloping wine. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, menthol, licorice and spice infuse this succulent, voluptuous Serre Nuove. The 2016 is a relatively accessible Serre Nuove that will drink well upon release, its considerable richness notwithstanding."
"Wonderful freshness"
Jeb Dunnuck - May 10, 2019 "Showing beautifully, the incredibly impressive 2016 Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia (44% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Petit Verdot, and 12% Cabernet Franc) is a true second wine from this estate, following the similar practice in Bordeaux of offering a second wine basically made from the grapes that didn't rate the top cuvee. Don't let that deter you, though, as this is a terrific wine. Its deep ruby color is followed by a ripe, complex bouquet of black cherries, blackberries, tobacco, and earthy, herbal characteristics. Gorgeous on the palate, with medium to full body, a wonderful freshness and purity, and silky tannins, it's already drinking nicely but will keep for 10-15 years."
"Supple and polished"
Wine Spectator - August 28, 2019 "Supple and polished, exhibiting plum, black cherry, wild thyme and spice aromas and flavors. Solidly built, yet harmonious and approachable now, with hints of iron and cedar on the lingering finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2033. 1,250 cases imported"
"Already very attractive"
James Suckling - May 11, 2020 "Appreciate the aromas of crushed stones and currants that follow through to a full body, velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Lots of dark-berry and walnut character in the aftertaste. Beautiful second wine of Ornellaia. Already very attractive."
Reviews
More on Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2016
How Wines from a Little Known Region Became the Most Expensive in the World
July 25, 2019 - Ornellaia and winemaker Axel Heinz feature prominently in an article in Fortune about the rise of Bolgheri as one of the world's premiere winemaking regions. Read the full article here.
Object of Desire: Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2016
July 25, 2019 - Karla Alindahao, Contributing Editor at Forbes, shares her featured article focusing on Le Serre Nuove. In her article titled "Object of Desire: Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2016" Karla writes…
Trade Materials
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