92POINTS
17/20
Le Serre Nuove Dell' Ornellaia 2016
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyLe Serre Nuove is all grown up in 2016, looking every bit its own wine and very much a Bolgheri Rosso. The fruit is a 44/26/18/12/ mix of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and cabernet franc from younger vines and blocks that don’t make the ultimate cut to go into the Ornellaia cru. There a lot of finesse here evidenced by the dense, silky tannins that permeate this fragrant red. Winemaker Axel Heinz characterizes the 2016 vintage as well above average, and while it is easily the equal of 2015, the style is different. Expect an almost opaque colour, a fragrant, spicy, savoury undercurrent before the bright red fruit flecked with coffee and chocolate kick in across the palate. The texture is haltingly smooth and dense, suggesting it will effortlessly age seven to ten years and beyond. I think grilled lamb chops or pappardelle and wild boar are terrific matches at the moment. Impressive. Le Serre Nuove undergoes malolactic fermentation that begins in stainless steel, and completes upon transfer to mostly French barriques – 25 percent new and 75 percent second fill. It’s aged 15 months in oak but is assembled after one year before being returning to the barrels for a further three months. After bottling, it was aged for six months at the winery.Tasted: 13 April 2019Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:BC | $66.99 | 750ml | BCLS |
AB | $66.95 | 750ml | private wine shops |
ON | $66.95 | 750ml | LCBO - Vintages |
QC | $66.75 | 750ml | SAQ |
QC | $129.00 | 1500ml | |
QC | $275.00 | 3000ml |
Blend: Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - Petit VerdotCSPC: 91496UPC: 086003002753