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Ornellaia La Determinazione 2022
Vintage
2022
Region
Bolgheri, Tuscany
Country
Italy
Style
Still
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
ABV
14.5%
Dietary
Vegan, Vegetarian
Sustainability
Sustainable Certification
Ornellaia
Ornellaia is one of Bolgheri’s most important fine wine estates, established in 1981 on the Tuscan coast in Italy. Known for Ornellaia wine, Le Serre Nuove, Le Volte, Poggio alle Gazze and Ornellaia Bianco, the estate produces still red and white wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and selected white varieties. Ornellaia represents one of Italy’s most recognised premium wine names.
Read MoreViticulture
The Ornellaia estate lies in the foothills facing the Mediterranean coast near Bolgheri. Its hillside vineyards benefit from maritime breezes during summer, encouraging slow grape ripening and freshness, while the hills protect the vines from cold northern winds in winter. The soils, of marine and alluvial origin, form a varied mosaic of more than 70 plots, classified by soil type, exposure and variety. Average vine age is around 20 years for red varieties and 13 years for whites, with vineyard work carried out largely by hand.
Vinification
The clusters were hand-picked into 15kg crates, selected on a double sorting table before and after destemming, then softly crushed. Optical sorting, introduced in 2016, further refined berry selection. Each variety and vineyard block was vinified separately. Fermentation took place in stainless steel and concrete tanks at 26?30?C for one week, followed by around 15 days of maceration. Malolactic fermentation took place mainly in oak barrels, 70% new. The wine aged for 18 months in barriques, with blending after 12 months, followed by 12 months in bottle.
2022
The 2022 vintage in Bolgheri began with a typical winter and cool, dry early spring, causing later than usual budbreak. From May, a dry spell of around 75 days placed the vines under significant water stress during growth, flowering and veraison, resulting in low yields. Summer storms reactivated vine physiology and supported ripening, while September brought ideal conditions for sugar, aroma and tannin development, helped by cool nights. The red grape harvest began with Merlot on 25 August and ended on 10 October.
Tasting Note
Ornellaia 2022 shows an expressive bouquet of black fruit, vanilla and tobacco. The palate is expansive and generous, with ripe dark fruit, savoury detail and a powerful tannic structure. Full-bodied and layered, it combines the solar character of the vintage with the estate’s hallmark elegance and vibrancy. The finish is long, savoury and enduring, with polished structure and clear ageing potential.
Food Pairing
Pair with grilled rib-eye, roast lamb, venison, beef Wellington, wild boar rag?, porcini mushrooms, truffle dishes, aged Pecorino or rich Tuscan meat sauces.
Bottle Shots - Ornellaia La Determinazione 2022
