2016 Ornellaia Vendemmia D'Artista

51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Harvest started on the 24 August. Hand-picked and hand-sorted grapes. Each grape variety vinified separately. Fermentation took place in stainless steel and concrete tanks between 26 – 30 °C for two weeks, followed by 10 – 15 days of maceration on the skins. The malolactic fermentation took place mainly in oak barrels, 70% new and 30% second-use. 20 months in barriques and one year in bottle. Rich and savoury with great density. Lifted and fresh. Vibrant, obviously fully ripe fruit but obviously not 100% Cabernet Sauvignon – much subtler than that. Lifted and dancing. A very complete wine. A bit firmer than the 2015. (JR)