The last four vintages have seen Ornellaia Bianco become 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Pressed and fermented directly into oak barrels ranging from 225 to 600 litres (25% new), it's fermented then aged, with occasional battonage, for 10 months in oak before bottling. Delicate aromas of passionfruit, stone fruit, and a hint of wood spice lead to a creamy texture in the mouth with a good degree of fruit concentration. Zesty notes of lemon peel along with tart acidity give the wine backbone and structure. Drinking well now, but could age for another five to 10 years. 8,000 bottles produced, up from 4,000.
This wine that once featured Viognier in the blend, is now 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The 2020 Ornellaia Bianco is quite tropical and generous in personality with immediate aromas of papaya, Golden Delicious apple and crushed stone. The wine is beautifully textured and long lasting. I asked if Vermentino might ever feature in this blend (to bring in a Tuscan grape), but the answer is no for now. Vermentino already plays a role in the estate’s very popular entry-level Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia. Viognier is being cut because the grape is difficult, and if you don’t hit the harvest date just right, it can appear flabby and waxy.
The 2020 Ornellaia Bianco is bright, finely cut, dry white. Lime, white flowers, mint and white pepper are all beautifully delineated in this crisp white. I would give this at least a year or two in bottle, as the acids are pretty aggressive today, or several hours in a decanter, which will help soften the youthful edges.
The nose indulgently blends fruit and herbs, like pineapple sorbet drizzled with basil syrup, with umami undertones of Pecorino cheese and toasted almonds keeping things in elegant balance. On the rich palate, pineapple continues and is joined by lemon curd, but the saltiness of the cheese perseveres to cut through the luxuriousness.
The 2020 Ornellaia Bianco was produced entirely from Sauvignon Blanc for this vintage and was aged in 30% new oak for 10 months. It has generous and rounded notes of beeswax, guava, white flowers, grapefruit. On the palate, it is full, salty, and ripe with peach and mouthwatering citrus. It is crystalline in how salty it is and has a beautiful texture of crushed stones that is long-lasting and refined. Drink 2026-2036.
A full-bodied white, akin to a Bordeaux Blanc, featuring melon, peach, lemongrass, floral, spice and green tea flavors. Rich, yet offset by lively acidity, ending with a touch of grapefruit peel bitterness. Delivers excellent balance and length, with discreet use of oak. Drink now through 2028. 97 cases imported.
Winery Notes
Ornellaia Bianco was crafted alongside Ornellaia’s flagship wine and translates the essence of the estate’s terroir into a light-filled interpretation of the sun and sea of Bolgheri. Vineyard parcels secretly mind the balance until the time comes to harvest the grapes before challenging time with taut and elegant complexity.