2019 Ornellaia Bianco, Tuscany, Italy

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.

Drink 2023 - 2035

The 2019 Ornellaia Bianco is a very reserved wine. It does not appear to have the depth of some of its predecessors, but that is mostly attributable to a shift in picking earlier and using more large format oak. Lemon peel, white flowers, mint, sage and green pear lend energy to this taut, Bordeaux-inspired blend. Readers should plan on cellaring this for at least a year.

Drink 2022 - 2029

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.

Drink 2023 - 2030