Bolgheri DOC Superiore Rosso "Ornellaia" by Ornellaia, year 2012. 0.75l bottle.
2012 was a dry year, as was 2011. The lack of water was already felt during the winter, which was cold but little rainy. At the time of budding, which took place normally, rainfall showed a deficit of around 100 mm compared to the multi-year average. A sunny and mild spring led to excellent vegetative development leading to rapid and homogeneous flowering. July and August were hot and almost rainless, raising fears of problems with ripening blocked due to lack of water. Despite this, veraison took place in perfect conditions, thus completing in a regular and satisfactory manner. Some rains between the end of August and the beginning of September then gave a further acceleration to the ripening which was completed uniformly with excellent aromatic and polyphenolic parameters. The harvest took place between 29 August and 17 September for the Merlots. The production of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from young vineyards began on September 18th, concluding on October 5th with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon from old vineyards.
The harvest took place by hand in 15 kg boxes and the bunches were selected on a double sorting table before and after destemming and subjected to soft pressing at the end. Each variety and each parcel was vinified separately. The alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel vats at temperatures between 26-30°C for a week which was followed by maceration for a total of approximately 10-15 days. The malolactic fermentation took place mainly in oak barriques (70% new and 30% second passage). The wine remained in barriques in the Ornellaia cellar at a controlled temperature for a period of approximately 18 months.
After the first 12 months, assembly was carried out and then reintroduced into the barriques where it spent another 6 months. The wine remains in the bottle for another 12 months before being introduced on the market.
