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98POINTS
19¼/20
Ornellaia Rosso la Tensione 2016
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyAs good as 2015 is, I believe 2016 is the star of those two great vintages. It’s all about the acidity in 2016 aptly captured by the annual character assessment of the vintage: “La Tensione,” the tension. The blend is 51/27/18/4 cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot. In 2016, Ornellaia was all you expect from a generous Mediterranean red that has long surpassed it Super Tuscan moniker of its founding years but with a lift a freshness, a tension that takes it to another level. Axel Heinz praises the “abundant sunshine, without excessive heat, and a dry summer to allow the grapes to achieve perfect ripeness and concentration, and just about enough rain to avoid stress.” The wine is brooding dark, the nose a delightful mix of fresh black fruits and that savour, spicy, cedar Bolgheri ‘garrigue.’ Heinz is splitting his time between Ornellaia and Masseto with the help of two, talented women who are the onsite winemakers. In this case, Olga Fusari is looking after the day to day winemaking at Ornellaia. The wine is simply outstanding and will be for the next 25 years and beyond. The tasting was part of a trilogy of Ornellaias, ’14, ’15, ’16.Tasted: 13 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: Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - Petit VerdotCSPC: 359687UPC: 00877397001923
