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94POINTS
17½/20
Ornellaia Bianco 2014
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyOrnellaia Bianco was conceived from the beginning to be the equal of its red kin. It had to be according to Axel Heinz there could be no other path if it were to bear the Ornellaia moniker. The 2014 is only year two of the project, and ironically, it’s a stunner aided and abetted by a cool, wet August, delaying the ripening into the more favourable season of warm days and cold nights. The mix is 74/13/13/ sauvignon blanc, viognier and petit manseng that come off three, small, north facing vineyard sites that are not only yielding superb fruit but more importantly express the ethos of Ornellaia – power, delicacy and an exotic wildness. The sandy/clay soils of Bellaria that enrich the texture of the Ornellaia rosso bring the same game to the bianco. The nose and palate are a storm of salty, mineral, exotic fruits with an emphasis on the acidity and length. This is a real surprise and another way Bolgheri is finding its place among the wider wine world. Less super, more Tuscan and a lot more Bolgheri. Bravo. The grapes were hand-harvested in 15 kg bins in the early hours of the morning and chilled on arrival at the cellar to maintain their aromatic potential. Following careful selection, the entire grape clusters were subjected to slow and soft pressing with maximum attention to protection against oxidization. After static decantation lasting approximately 24 hours, all the must was placed in barriques, 30% new and 70% used, for alcoholic fermentation at temperatures no higher than 22°C. No malolactic fermentation was carried out. The ageing continued for 12 months on the lees with periodic batônnage over the entire period and concluded in steel vats for 3 more months. Before bottling, the blending of the multiple batches was carried out, along with light fining. The wine was then aged in the bottle for a further 6 months before its introduction to the market.Tasted: 15 April 2019Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| BC | $240.00 | 750ml | BCLS |
| AB | $240.00 | 750ml | private wine shops |
| ON | $240.00 | 750ml | LCBO - Vintages |
| QC | $240.00 | 750ml | SAQ |
Blend: Sauvignon Blanc - Viognier - Pinot Gris - Riesling
