Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia combines generosity and depth of flavor with an engaging and vibrant personality. Made to be more approachable, yet delivering the quality experience of Ornellaia, Merlot has a dominant role in this wine in contrast to the Cabernet Sauvignon in Ornellaia. Coming primarily from the Estate’s younger vineyards and made with the same passion and attention to detail as Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is a true “second vin.” A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia combines generosity and depth of flavor with an engaging and vibrant personality.

Vineyards are planted at high density, from 5,000-8,700 hl/ha, and feature several training systems – spur-pruned cordon, single Guyot, and head-pruned vines. Each variety and each parcel was vinified separately. Alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel for two weeks followed by maceration of around 10-15 days. Malolactic fermentation was started in stainless steel, and completed after transfer to barrels (25% new and 75% a year old). The wine remained in Ornellaia’s temperature-controlled cellar for a further 15 months. It was assembled after the first 12 months and then reintroduced in the barrels for a further 3 months. Additional six months of bottle aging prior to release.

2016 was characterized by an abnormally warm winter with heavy rainfall. May was dry and sunny, perfect for a good fruit set. The summer was average with very little rain and cool temperatures at night, and ripening went on steadily. Harvest conditions were virtually perfect: sunny, warm, and with enough water in the soil to prevent the vines from shutting down.