Ornellaia 2012 (3L)

Ornellaia is a prestigious winery located in Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy. Known for its Bordeaux-style red blends, Ornellaia crafts wines using Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The wines undergo ageing in oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, resulting in elegant and complex expressions. Ornellaia's wines are highly regarded for their ability to age gracefully and showcase the unique terroir of Bolgheri.

Ornellaia is a blend of nature and musing. Complex ancient soils converse through human wisdom with a delicate microclimate that is echoed and reflected in the Mediterranean Sea. Prolonged ageing accompanies the estate’s fine wine in achieving its utmost expression, revealing finesse and generosity over time.

Vintage 2012
The 2012 growing year was characterized by dry conditions, similar to 2011, with a noticeable water scarcity during a cold and dry winter. Despite a water deficit of about 100mm compared to the average, budbreak occurred normally. A mild and sunny spring facilitated good vine growth and consistent flowering. July and August were hot and nearly rain-free, raising concerns about ripening due to lack of water. However, veraison progressed normally and satisfactorily. Some rainfall in late August and early September helped accelerate ripening, resulting in overall fine fruit maturity with optimal aromatics and polyphenol levels. The harvest for Merlot took place from August 29th to September 17th, starting on September 18th for Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot in younger vineyards, and concluding with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the oldest vineyards.

Winemaker's notes
“This generous wine displays a particularly enticing character. The concentration that defines top vintages is not lacking, but the 2012 conceals it behind a sumptuous body with a long-lasting finish.” - wrote on May 2014 by Axel Heinz (Winemaker)

Ratings :
JS 97 points from JS Wine Ratings
“A tight and silky red with compacted fruit and tannin texture featuring blackcurrant, mushroom and bark undertones. Full body, firm tannins and a minerally finish. Excellent structure and mouthfeel. A cooler style of Ornellaia, bringing it back to the classicism of this celebrated region. Bordeaux blend.” - Tasted on August 5, 2015 by James Suckling

RP 94 points from The Wine Advocate
“The 2012 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is very similar to the 2011 Ornellaia that precedes it. These were both hot vintages, but 2012 saw the heat towards the end of the growing season. In fact the harvest in 2012 came two weeks earlier than average. This seamless blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), Merlot (27%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Petit Verdot (7%) shows some of the roundness and softness of that summer heat. The wine's density and extraction are spot-on and the bouquet is beautifully shaped by dark cherry nuances with spice, leather and tobacco at the back. There is a gorgeous sense of richness and plushness here. Some 160,000 bottles were produced. This edition of Ornellaia is more immediate in character and less suited to the decades-long aging that cooler vintages can affront so successfully.” - Tasted on Oct 30, 2015 by Monica Larner

Winery: Ornellaia
Region: Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Format: 3000 ml (3-liter)

Ornellaia是位於意大利托斯卡納Bolgheri的享有盛譽的酒莊。以其波爾多風格的紅葡萄酒而聞名，Ornellaia采用赤霞珠、梅洛、品麗珠和寶麗多葡萄釀制。酒款在橡木桶中陳釀12至18個月，呈現出優雅而複雜的風味。Ornellaia的葡萄酒以其優雅的品質和展現Bolgheri獨特風土的能力而備受讚譽。

Ornellaia是大自然與靈感的完美結合。複雜而古老的土壤透過人類的智慧對話，與微妙的氣候交融，這種交融在地中海上得到回響和映照。經過長時間的陳年，這座莊園的美酒達到最高的表現，隨著時間的推移展現出優雅和慷慨。

2012年份
2012年是一個乾燥的生長年份，類似於2011年，寒冷而乾燥的冬季已經顯示出水源短缺的跡象。在萌芽期時，正常發育時，與多年平均值相比，已經出現約100毫米的水源不足。溫和而陽光充足的春季帶來了良好的葡萄藤生長，迅速而一致的開花。七月和八月炎熱且幾乎沒有降雨，引發了因缺水而停滯成熟的擔憂。然而，葡萄果實的變色完全正常和令人滿意。八月底和九月初的幾次降雨增加了果實成熟的動力，水果達到了良好的整體成熟度，具有最佳的芳香和多酚類化合物水平。梅洛葡萄的收穫時間為8月29日至9月17日；品麗珠、赤霞珠和寶麗多葡萄在年輕葡萄園於9月18日開始收穫，而在最古老的葡萄園則以寶麗多和赤霞珠葡萄結束。