“Ornellaia” Bianco Toscana DOC 2023

Ornellaia | Tuscany
Ornellaia S.r.l. | Loc. Ornellaia 191 | IT 57022 Castagneto Carducci

09280323 · 0,75 l · 385,33 €/l< 24 units available
Limitation of 2 articles per customer

Ornellaia has always sought more. More depth in its red wine, more expression of the terroir, more precision in its selection. But at some point, the question arose: what if all this were translated into a white wine? A white wine from Bolgheri, that coastal region which taught the world that Tuscany is more than just Sangiovese? Ornellaia Bianco is the answer. "Italy's most ambitious white wine", according to the estate itself. No modest claim. Sauvignon Blanc, exclusively. Three small plots in Bellaria, north-facing – an unusual choice in a Mediterranean climate. The cool aspect protects the aromas, prolongs ripening and preserves the freshness that distinguishes a great white wine from a merely pleasant one. Sandy loam soils on limestone, 130 metres above sea level. 13 hectares of white wine in a winery that focuses on 80 hectares of red.

The winemaking process is uncompromising. The grapes are harvested by hand in the early hours of the morning and immediately chilled in 15-kilo crates. In the cellar: careful selection, whole-bunch pressing with maximum protection against oxidation, 24 hours of static sedimentation. The entire must is then transferred to barriques – 30% new, 70% used – and fermented at a maximum temperature of 22°C. No malolactic fermentation – a deliberate choice to preserve freshness and texture. Twelve months' ageing on the lees with periodic bâtonnage, followed by three months in stainless steel and six months in bottle.

2023 was a year of selection for the Bianco. Marco Balsimelli and his team made a conscious decision to favour the more Mediterranean, riper fruit expression of the Bellaria plots, opting for yellow fruit tones rather than the cooler, more vegetal notes that characterised other vintages. The bountiful harvest of the Vitality vintage lent itself well to this decision. "Ornellaia Bianco is the embodiment of the estate's philosophy, which has always sought to clearly express the potential of this terroir," says Balsimelli. "The balance between elegance and complexity is evident in this taut, deeply textured wine, which represents Ornellaia on the world stage."

A bright, luminous straw-yellow colour with delicate green highlights. The bouquet is complex and possesses a Mediterranean depth: exotic fruits, grapefruit zest and peach blossom, underpinned by subtle hints of toasted hazelnut. Generous and full-bodied on the palate, with a rounded richness and a refreshing backbone that creates both balance and tension. The final is long and characterised by pronounced minerality. A white wine that embodies the power of the Mediterranean whilst never losing its freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

"This wine is refined and elegant, with captivating aromas of pineapple, peach, jasmine and wild herbs. The finish becomes more robust, with a hint of grapefruit pith and a salty aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"The wine displays a distinct Mediterranean character, with riper notes of yellow fruit coming to the fore. This vintage captivates with its length and sophistication, offering notes of white pepper, ginger, lemon zest, exotic flowers and spices." Wine Advocate

"The 2023 Ornellaia Bianco immediately captivates with its brilliant, clearly defined aromas. Citrus zest, slate, sage, crushed stone, mint and white pepper lend it a remarkable freshness throughout. The Sauvignon Blanc comes into its own here in a particularly expressive way. In the glass, tropical and salty notes develop, adding further freshness whilst the wine simultaneously gains in body. It is beautifully defined and a far better bottle than the one I tasted a few months ago." Vinous

"Well-balanced and very fresh, with good body and plenty of vigour, complemented by ripe notes of guava, apricot and mango. Ageing in oak barrels with batonnage lends it a creamy character and texture, yet it remains consistently balanced and finishes with a spicy, mineral aftertaste." Decanter

"An extremely complex wine in the style of a white Bordeaux, with notes of cedar, fireworks, lemon tree, white pepper and stony minerality. Medium to full-bodied, dense and brooding, with a silky texture, refreshing acidity, a spicy palate and an endless, toasty yet harmonious finish." James Suckling