2019 Ornellaia Bianco

The Poggio alle Gazze 2nd wine of Ornellaia was released in March, but this is the first time I am tasting the 2020 of the main estate white Ornellaia Bianco. It was worth the wait - so expertly handled, deft strokes of Granny Smith apples, lemongrass, apricot pit, sage, white peach and citrus. Taut in its construction, stretches out through the palate, mouthwatering finish, hard not to see that you are in the presence of a very special glass of wine. Harvesting for Sauvignon Blanc grapes from August 19 to early September, Viognier end of August. After ageing, it spends six months in bottle before release. Winemaker Olga Fusari, director Axel Heinz.

The 2019 Ornellaia Bianco (81% Sauvignon and 19% Viognier) is a more racy, steely wine that doesn't have the generosity of the 2018, yet it stays tight, compact, and vibrant, with lemon zest, chalky mineral, honeysuckle, and hints of grapefruit. Medium-bodied on the palate, it's another concentrated, beautifully balanced white from this team that has great acidity, a balanced, classy mouthfeel, and one heck of a great finish. While the 2018 shows its Viognier component, it's almost impossible to see here, even though it's a larger component. Give bottles a year or so and it should keep for over a decade.

Made with 81% Sauvignon Blanc and 19% Viognier, the Ornellaia 2019 Ornellaia Bianco is fragrant and fresh, but the wine also shows a rather robust side with extra concentration. This is a hallmark of the vintage, and you even notice it in the distinctive light golden hue that shines prettily from the glass. To the nose, the wine displays a summery set of aromas with stone fruit, ripe peach, midnight jasmine and a touch of fragrant beeswax. There is some density to the otherwise streamlined mouthfeel, with white almond flavors on the close and an elegant touch of crushed stone or chalk. This 2019 vintage is poised for more years of bottle age.