Ornellaia Le Volte dell'Ornellaia 2018

Ornellaia Le Volte dell'Ornellaia 2018 is a remarkably vibrant, elegant, and beautifully balanced Super Tuscan red wine that serves as an inviting introduction to the esteemed Tenuta dell'Ornellaia estate. Sourced from choice vineyards along the Tuscan coast near Bolgheri, this wine reflects the excellent conditions of the 2018 vintage, which brought both great structural power and fruit purity. A blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon, the different varieties were fermented separately in small stainless steel tanks to protect their primary characters before undergoing malolactic fermentation. The wine was then aged for 10 months, partly in concrete vats and partly in French oak barriques previously used for the estate's legendary flagship bottling. In the glass, it reveals a bright, concentrated ruby-red color. The nose is highly expressive and complex, unveiling elegant aromas of fresh red cherries, wild strawberries, and ripe dark plums, seamlessly intertwined with notes of sweet vanilla, fresh mint, rose petals, and subtle baking spices. On the palate, this medium-bodied red is exceptionally smooth and velvety, balancing its supple, rounded tannins with a refreshing line of acidity that leads into a clean, savory, and lingering finish.

Food Pairing: Pairs wonderfully with roasted lamb chops, rich wild boar ragù, pan-seared duck breast, or a selection of semi-hard Italian cheeses.

93 Points - James Suckling 

There’s purity of fruit here with crushed plums, flowers, fresh sage and rosemary on both the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied, yet soft and pretty at the finish. Very drinkable now.