# Ornellaia (2021)

- **Producer:** Ornellaia
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon 53%, Merlot 25%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Petit Verdot 7%
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.0%
- **Average price:** €297
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, black cherry, black plum, cypress berries, vanilla, cedar, smoke, coffee, chocolate, leather, tobacco, earth

## About this wine

Ornellaia by Ornellaia 2021 is a red wine from the Bolgheri DOC Superiore Rosso appellation in Tuscany, Italy. The 2021 vintage, themed 'La Generosità', is noted for its exceptional quality, stemming from a hot, dry summer that produced concentrated grapes. The estate, situated near the Tuscan coast, benefits from a maritime microclimate and diverse soils, ideal for its blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Ornellaia's philosophy is to express the unique terroir through wines of balance and longevity. This vintage is considered one of the estate's finest, with special artistic labels commissioned for its release.

## Interesting facts

- The 2021 vintage is themed 'La Generosità', reflecting the abundant nature of the harvest.
- Each case of Ornellaia 2021 includes a unique label designed by artist Marinella Senatore.
- The estate's vineyards are located just 3 miles from the Mediterranean Sea.
- Ornellaia is one of the original 'Super Tuscans', wines that broke traditional Italian wine laws.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body, dense tannins, and rich dark fruit profile make it an excellent companion for robust, protein-rich dishes. The tannins bind with proteins in the meat, softening the wine and cleansing the palate. Its complexity and herbal notes complement game and herbs, while the concentration stands up to rich sauces and aged cheeses.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Ornellaia 2021 begins with hand-harvesting and rigorous double sorting of the grapes to ensure only the finest fruit is used. Each grape variety and vineyard block is vinified separately to preserve individual characteristics. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel and concrete tanks, followed by a maceration period of around 15 days. Malolactic fermentation takes place mainly in oak barrels, with a significant portion being new. The wine is then aged in barriques for approximately 18 months, with the final blend assembled after 12 months and returned to barrel for a further 6 months. Finally, it undergoes an additional 12 months of bottle aging before release.