By: Wineaux DLynn P
After a few tough days of moving pallets of prized and precious cargo, we were ready to treat our members and our own palates to an evening with Gina DellaVedova with Ornellaia. A beautifully set table with placemats and glasses of several vintages awaited us. As these wines were grabbing every ounce of oxygen available because of there magnificent youth, I introduced Gina, and she started to paint a picture of Bolgheri and Lodovicos’ vision of a true Bordelais style wine. The 2008 Le Volte is sangiovese dominant and had every nuance of pure, dried Italian flare. At $29.99, it is the best food wine in its price point. As we moved to the 2007 La Serra Nuove, I heard rumblings of “baby Masseto”, “Pomerol-esque”, and “kinda like VCC”(which is Vieux Chateau Certan). I absolutely agree that this is the best $60 wine in its price point, an I agree that it will drink until 2017.
Now, it was time to taste the big guns. 05, 06 , 07, and a surpise contender of 98 Ornellaia. Well, I will be the first to say the 05 Ornellaia showed of pencil lead, gravel, and tobacco. Nick Bouras and astute long-time client, collector, yells “Nobody would have pegged this as Italian, there is nothing Italian about this wine.” AJ then retorts, “D could call it”(thanks AJ), and Nick respectively yells “B.S.” He was right, there is no way I would have called it Tuscan, as it had every marker of a classic Pauillac. The 06 Ornellaia also didnt show any restraint. A little more forward and fleshy, the extra touch of Verdot and Merlot really make this wine scream. Bolgheri is a lot like Bordeaux in its proximity to a major body of water, so the climate and maritime influence feels the same. Keep in mind, these are Bordelais varieties that may have piggy-backed to Italy from a famous Bordeaux Chateau! As angst grew to taste the 07 and 98, Gina politely told everyone to dive in and not wait for her. The 07 Ornellaia was massive and Pichon-like or even Le Pin-like(Rolland does have his hand on it). Loads of cassis, spearmint, and wet earth dominated, and followed with massive tannin, acid, and of coarse barn yard. The 07 will last undoubtedly last a minimum of 20 years, while the 05 and 06 will stand tall for a minimum of 25. The 05 is priced to sell at $169.99 and the 06, 07 are priced at $179.99.
Finally, the much anticipated 98 Ornellaia was at the helm. Everyone at the table swore this wine were Bordeaux. Simon exclaimed a big “WOW” from across the room and everyone agreed. The most elegant and sexy of the pack, yet the most rustic; the 98 just gives you insight into how well these wines will age. Needless to say, the 98 was probably the wine of the night.
All in all, it was a great night for a Tuscan tasting.
Ciao for now.