Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is the second wine of Tenuta Ornellaia, a blend of 44% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 13% Petit Verdot, which combines drinkability and complex flavours and aromas with great ageing potential. The grapes are harvested by hand, with the bunches selected on a double sorting table both before and after destemming, and finally subjected to gentle crushing. In addition to manual selection, optical sorting has also been introduced to enhance the quality of the selection. Each variety and each plot has been vinified separately. Alcoholic fermentation took place partly in stainless steel vats and partly in concrete vats at a constant temperature of 22–28°C for two weeks, followed by maceration on the skins for 10–15 days. Malolactic fermentation took place in steel vats, after which the wines were transferred to new and second-use barriques. The wine remains in barriques in the Ornellaia cellar for a period of approximately 15 months. After the first 12 months, the blend is assembled and then returned to the barriques, where it spends a further 3 months. The wine is left in the bottle for six months before being released onto the market.
Intense ruby red in the glass, it displays purple and violet hues. Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia unashamedly reveals a distinct and generous aromatic expression, accompanied by aromas of ripe red fruits. On the palate, the wine is soft, round and enveloping, yet at the same time full-bodied and tannic, displaying great balance, structure and elegance on the finish.
Its assertive character makes it perfect paired with pasta in a meat sauce or with stewed red meat main courses.
To fully appreciate its style, this wine should be served at a temperature of 16–18°C.