Ornellaia is born from the encounter between nature and thought. Ancient and complex soils interact, through the wisdom of man,
with a delicate microclimate that finds its echo and reflection in the Mediterranean Sea. A long aging
accompany the estate's great wine to its maximum expression, revealing its finesse, breadth,
and generosity over time.
TASTING NOTES
55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot. Alcohol: 14.5% vol.
Ornellaia 2022 presents a highly expressive bouquet with aromas of black fruit and hints of vanilla and tobacco.
This olfactory complexity continues on the palate, where the wine expresses itself with a broad and decisive attack. Then the powerful
tannic structure appears and leads us to a savory and long finish. Despite a 2022 vintage marked by prolonged heat,
Ornellaia, as always, expressed its key characteristics of elegance and freshness.
THE 2022 CLIMATE
The 2022 vintage in Bolgheri was characterized by a rather classic winter with temperatures close to seasonal
averages, followed by a rather cool and dry early spring. These climatic conditions
led to a later budbreak than usual. Subsequently, from
May onward, a long period of heat and drought, lasting approximately 75 days, settled in our region,
putting the vineyard's development cycle to the test. The vines suffered significant water stress during
the growth, flowering, and veraison phases, resulting in a year with low yields.
Fortunately, following these complications, rainfall due to characteristic summer storms
unblocked the situation, reactivating the physiology of the vines, which were able to resume the ripening
of the grapes. The latter unfolded during a September that was ideal for the accumulation of sugars, aromas, and
tannins, thanks above all to the cool nighttime temperatures.
The harvest therefore took place in excellent conditions, allowing us to choose the ideal harvest date for
each vineyard and grape variety.
The red grape harvest began on August 25th with the Merlot, continuing in September with the Cabernet Sauvignon,
concluding on October 10th.
VINIFICATION AND AGEING
The grapes were harvested by hand in 15-kg crates, and the bunches were selected on a double sorting table
before and after destemming, and finally subjected to a soft pressing. In 2016, in addition to manual selection,
optical selection was introduced to further increase the quality of the selection. Each variety and each parcel was
vinified separately. Alcoholic fermentation took place partly in stainless steel vats and partly in concrete
vats at temperatures between 26 and 30°C for a week, followed by maceration for
approximately 15 days, for a total maturation in the tank of approximately three weeks. Malolactic fermentation took place
primarily in oak barriques (70% new and 30% used). The wine remained in barriques in the
Ornellaia temperature-controlled cellar for approximately 18 months. After the first 12 months,
the wine was assembled and then returned to the barriques for another 6 months. The wine remained in the bottle for 12 months before being released.