Christie Kiley on October 20, 2014 0 Comments In case you really want to treat yourself to a very special wine, or treat somebody else, this may be one to consider. The chosen person being treated should be considered, however. Do they like big, intense, rich and refined wines? Then this will make the perfect treat. If you are an early Christmas gift shopper, then make it a gift. Maybe they will even share some with you! Forget the Napa Cab. Sorry, Napa. Try something different, a Super Tuscan. If you are familiar with Super Tuscans, then you are familiar with the name ‘Ornellaia’. They are one of the founding wineries that started it all and made way to making this style a cult classic. It all began for Ornellaia in 1981. You can find it nestled in a small and quaint village called Bolgheri along the Tuscan coast. For you romantics or poets, the famous poet Giosue Carducci was a big fan of this tiny town and his fascination of Cypress Avenue which leads into the village. It is also home to a variety of migratory birds where you can find a natural refuge where there are many other protected native species. Somewhere in all of this, is where you find the vineyard estates of Ornellaia. Their very first flagship wine—Tenuta dell’Ornellaia—was initially produced in 1985 from their carefully selected single vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Ornellaia’s Method The grapes are typically harvested around the start of September, however this varies from year to year depending on the results of their testing, both empirical and analytical. Their test are diligent in analyzing and determining if the grapes are in balance and help the enologist team determine how each separate plot can go through proper vinification according to what characteristics the grapes will have upon harvest. Each individual grape will go through two selection processes. They will first go through a sorting table check and then they will be checked again to remove any vegetation. The grapes, from their respective vineyards will be fermented in batches separately from one another, so as not only separate the wines according to their varietal, but also to maintain the integrity of their each separate and unique terroir. The quality of each finished product of each wine will determine which label of these base wines will be blended under. However, in any case they are looking to represent their respective terroir and the passion and intense detail taken into each grape. As they are among the few classic Super Tuscans, you can expect richness, elegance and complexity no matter the label. Location The climate of the region is very Mediterranean neighboring the hills a bit inland and shielded from the sea. The undulating hills provide small pockets of unique microclimates. Gentle breezes can still flow over these hills which provide fluctuating conditions that allow for a more even and balanced maturation process. The summers here can be quite intense and these breezes make a difference. The hills also offer protection to the vines from the brutal chill of winter winds. The vines of the Ornellaia estate are cultivated in marine and volcanic soils where you find all their important grapes; Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Each vineyard has a specific vineyard team so each of their grapes can maintain individuality and natural integrity, character, and profiles. Most of this, they believe is important to the quality and extended success of their wines along with the importance of respecting the natural harmony and balance of nature. The Wine If you cannot hold out, or had no intentions on holding out for this wine until Christmas, this is a perfect wine for now, the fall. It is big and rich and is one of those wines to have along with a special orchestrated meal or one to sit, fire-side with some hard-aged cheeses, extensively aged cheeses, assorted dried fruits, honeycomb and the best gourmet olives. Some cured meats will work too. I do not think you could get much simpler and much better than that. The previous version of this which was highly acclaimed was the 2001, and many are claiming this one might be even better. This wine is made of 100% Merlot from the clay vineyard. Do not turn away now, just because I said ‘Merlot’. Please do not be one of those wine pop culture followers. Just follow good wine and your wine experiences will be so much richer. It is a full-on big and rounded wine. It is almost sultry with plenty of chewy chocolate brownies, mulling spice, vanilla and dark berry notes on the nose and more complexity on the palate with savory sweet tobacco, dark chocolate and coffee notes on the palate with lingering tertiary and finishing aromas of more tobacco and dried herbs. It is just ripe for drinking now and it loves to hang out with company. More Wine Reviews: Chateau Pontet-Canet 2010 Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2008 Fattoria Poggerino Chianti Classico 2010 Montefalco Rosso 2010 from Giampaolo Tabarrini
