- CRITICAL REVIEWS
- WINEMAKER NOTES
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Vinous
2009 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
“Ripeness and equilibrium are the two qualities that can best describe Ornellaia 2009. Born from a vintage which began cool then turned hot, it was necessary to take painstaking care during harvest in order to preserve the grapes’ crisp acidity and aromatic complexity. The wine’s fragrances are generous and cleanly-defined, with rich, well-ripened fruit, complemented by chocolate and balsamic notes of aromatic herbs. On the palate, silky-smooth and spacious, with glossy tannins. A lively, refreshing acidity lifts a lingering finish.”
Axel Heinz – May 2011
52% CABERNET SAUVIGNON
22% MERLOT
21% CABERNET FRANC
5% PETIT VERDOT
The 2009 growing season saw a Winter and early Spring that were cool and rainy, and budbreak occurred in line with past years. May was dry, but the rains returned in June, without however negatively impacting vine growth or flowering. Summer was practically rainless, and hot, with temperatures often rising above 35°C and very narrow day-night temperature differences. Strong scirocco winds from Africa between late August and early September hastened the ripening process, particularly in early-ripening varieties such as Merlot. The harvest, which began on 28 August and finished on 14 September, was in fact one of the earliest and quickest in the history of Ornellaia. In mid-September came rains, which gave a breathing spell to the later ripening varietals which matured perfectly with outstanding complexity. The picking stopped for a full nine days, to resume on 23 September with the aroma-laden Cabernet Franc, followed by the astonishing Petit Verdot. The grand finale came on 6 October, with the last clusters of Cabernet Sauvignon which displayed superb structure.