2014 Ornellaia Bianco
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Ornellaia Bianco checks in as a blend of 74% Sauvignon Blanc and the balance equal parts Viognier and Petit Manseng, all seeing the standard 30% new barrels. Despite the differences in the blend compared to the 2015 and 2016, it's not drastically different and has a pure, clean, medium-bodied style that builds with time in the glass. Beautiful notes of crisp melon, lime, and citrus pith as well as ample minerality all flow to a medium-bodied, beautifully balanced white that just glides over the palate with fabulous purity and poise. It's a thrilling wine to drink over the coming decade or more.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
To be released in October 2016, the 2014 Bianco Ornellaia is a beautifully luminous and brilliant white wine. Last year's inaugural edition was 70/30 Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, but this year's release sees only 15% Viognier and a small percentage (from 5-7%) of Petit Manseng. I want to point out that I'm noticing a very interesting upswing of Petit Manseng in Coastal Tuscany. This new composition results in a wine with a rich and broad approach and a less pointed or floral bouquet. Instead of those more common and banal tropical fruit aromas, this wine offers a fascinating medley of stone fruit, viennoiserie pastry and crushed mineral. Only 4,000 bottles are produced.
The 2014 Ornellaia Bianco is a real head-turner. A wine of tension, body and pure acid-driven energy, the 2014 bears more than a passing resemblance to the dry whites of winemaker Axel Heinz's native Bordeaux. Orchard fruit, lemon confit, mint and white flowers all develop in the glass, but the 2014 is above all else a wine of texture and intensity. The Ornellaia Bianco sets a new standard for what is possible for dry whites on the Tuscan coast. The Bianco is a blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Viognier and 15% Petit Manseng.
About the producer
Based in the foothills of Bolgheri, Ornellaia is one of the original Super Tuscans, making some of Italy’s finest Cabernet blends. Created by Lodovico Antinori, today the estate is owned by the Frescobaldi family, which also owns sibling property Masseto.