Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia - Ornellaia 2007
Ornellaia is located in the Bolgheri appellation, in Tuscany , Italy . The company was founded in 1981 by Marquis Lodovico Antinori, with the first vintage in 1985. From 2002 to 2005 the estate was co-owned by Robert Mondavi and Marchesi De Frescobaldi but, since 2005, Frescobaldi has sole ownership. In Ornellaia, the notion of environmental sustainability , understood as the use of the natural fertility of the soil, can be identified in various practices and limited measures implemented in the vineyards, with the aim of favoring the biodiversity of cultivated species.
Ornellaia 2007 is a Super-Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (27%), Cabernet Franc (14%) and Petit Verdot (4%) . The bunches were picked by hand in 15 kg crates then sorted by hand on a double sorting table, before and after destemming, and finally lightly crushed. Each grape variety and each parcel of vines was vinified separately. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 26 and 30°C for a week, followed by 10 to 15 days of skin maceration. The malolactic fermentation took place mainly in oak barrels (70% new and 30% from 1 wine) . The wine then remained in barrels, in the temperature-controlled cellars of Ornellaia for approximately 18 months . After the first 12 months of aging, the wine was blended and then put back in barrels for another 6 months . After bottling, the wine aged another 12 months before being marketed.
The 2007 vintage for Tuscany was generally excellent. The winter was mild and dry and the spring had abnormally hot March and April. July then delivered scorching temperatures until finally saving rains fell in August, bringing the growing season back to a more moderate pace preserving both aromas and acidity.
Grapes: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
