2023 Ornellaia, Bolgheri 1x150cl

JancisRobinson.com

Full bottle 1,318 g. This edition, illustrated by Marina Abramovic, no less, for their artists series, is dubbed La Vitalità for the vitality of the fruit. Newish technical director Marco Balsimelli explains: the mild winter encouraged early vine growth, which was monitored non-stop by our technical team. Then the spring brought abundant precipitation, which on the one hand helped build up water reserves for the summer, while also requiring extra work in the vineyard to keep the growth under control and to prevent any disease. The ensuing summer in Bolgheri was hot, without ever reaching extreme peaks in temperature. There was no water stress among the vines, which ripened gradually with the right levels of concentration. Late August rain and cool September nights favoured the development of aromatic complexity and preserved the acidity in the bunches, ensuring balance between expression and elegance, which is the hallmark of Ornellaia. So now you know. The Merlot harvest started in the last week of August, Cabernet Franc in the first week of September and Cabernet Sauvignon on 10 September. Final blend after a cool fermentation was 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. To be released in April 2026. Very deep crimson. Very rich and sweet on the nose and then with balsam dryness on the palate. Trademark opulence. So much richer than Sassicaia 2023! Horses for courses. Classicists should head for Sassicaia; hedonists for Ornellaia.(JR)