July 25, 2024
The Second wine of Ornellaia
"The 2021 Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia packs a huge punch. Masses of dark fruit, bittersweet chocolate, leather, licorice and cloves saturate the palate. I don't remember a Serre Nuove with this much sheer power and somber intensity, but the balance is there" - Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is the highly esteemed second wine from the illustrious Ornellaia estate, crafted from the same Bordeaux varietals as its flagship wine. Renowned for its ability to rival the grand vin in exceptional vintages, the 2021 exemplifies this with a flawless growing season resulting in truly spectacular wines. As Decanter aptly notes, "in top vintages, the differences between Le Serre Nuove and its bigger brother are truly minimal." This year, we firmly believe that Le Serre Nuove is an outstanding purchase.
2021 was a great vintage in Tuscany and particularly Bolgheri. Le Serre Nuove 2021 is composed of 50% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the remainder split equally between Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. "The 2021s are more typical of Bolgheri," writes Antonio Galloni, "They possess notable textural resonance and volume, with fine-grained tannins and the exceptional balance of a great year."
With impressive scores of 95 points from Wine Enthusiast and 94 points from Vinous, the case for buying Le Serre Nuove in 2021 is well made. It will drink much sooner than its older brother, making it a great addition to buy and enjoy while the grand vin matures in the cellar until its optimal drinking window.
Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri 2021
95 Points | Wine Enthusiast
On the nose, hot, meaty, umami aromas hold court, but dark fruit and a sanguine, tangy metallic component prevent those notes of smoke, pepper and tar from becoming overpowering. Undertones of vanilla and chocolate lift the fruit on the palate, but unyielding tannins and energetic acid ensure the spicy earthiness endures.
94 Points | Vinous, Antonio Galloni
The 2021 Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia packs a huge punch. Masses of dark fruit, bittersweet chocolate, leather, licorice and cloves saturate the palate. I don't remember a Serre Nuove with this much sheer power and somber intensity, but the balance is there, especially with aeration. It will be interesting to see how the 2021 develops. Today it is quite the powerhouse.