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Tenuta dell'Ornellaia makes outstanding wines even in poor vintages -better than any other. In the capable hands of winemaker Thomas Durouxand consultant Michel Rolland, the estate continues its long-standing,stellar record of world-class wine production. Even the estate's"second" wines demonstrate high quality grape growing and flawlessproduction methods. Located in Tuscany's tiny coastal DOC of Bolgheri,the estate was one of the first to plant vines in the area. Withproducers like Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia, Antinori, Grattamacco, andLe Macchiole among others, Bolgheri is the hotbed of winemakingmomentum in Toscana
With the same name as the winery, areference to the grove of flowering ash trees surrounding it, Ornellaiais the estate's principal wine. The 63 acres of predominantly CabernetSauvignon and Merlot, with small plantings of Cabernet Franc vines, lieon elevated parcels composed of clay, gravel, and loam soils. Theclones of diverse origins yield a rich palette of nuances. All grapesare destemmed, gently pressed, and introduced into either wooden orstainless steel fermentation vessels. Maceration takes place over aperiod of 25-32 days at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius,during which time the wine completes its alcoholic fermentation. Thejuice remains unblended until the wines have spent approximately oneyear in small French barriques. The final cuvée is assembled to evokethe vinous finess of the Cabernet highlighted by ripe, aromatic notesof Merlot in an elegant yet firm style balancing fruit, acidity, oak,and tannic backbone.
The estate's Le Volte is a blend of TuscanSangiovese with Bordeaux's Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that can beconsidered a "Young Ornellaia." They also produce Le Serre Nuove, the"second Ornellaia," and Masseto, one Bolgheri's greatest wines
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