2017 Le Serre Nuove

The Ornellaia 2017 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is a real charmer of a wine with a sweet, soft and supple disposition. The exact blend is 54% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Fermentation starts in stainless steel, and the wine is then racked over to barrique to complete malolactic fermentation. It ages in oak for 15 months. Production is large, with some 250,000 bottles released in September 2019. The whole entire presentation here is seamless, from start to finish, with dark fruit and cherry slowly folding into leather, spice and pipe tobacco. Fruit was denser and more compact in this hot and dry vintage, and you absolutely feel that extra richness and concentration. I recommend another quick two years of aging to relax the wine's tannins that are extra tight in 2017.

The 2017 Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is plump, juicy and so seductive, with pretty floral and savory top notes that add a touch of freshness to balance things out. Medium in body and wonderfully inviting, Le Serre Nuove also has quite a bit of energy for the year. The Merlot was picked starting on August 24, which is very early, even within the context of modern-day warm vintages. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, licorice and mint nuances linger in the glass. This is such a pretty wine.

54% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. 300,000 bottles produced. Max 15 months in barrel with 25% new Caucasian oak. Debut vintage was 1997. To be released at the end of September. Made in the hottest, earliest vintage – certainly since 2005 (Axel Heinz’s time). Aromatic and lively. Juicy and low tannin. A little bit inky on the end – definitely needs food – but bright and breezy. Easy peasy. (JR)