EVERYDAY LUXURIES: 2019 Le Volte dell’Ornellaia

This post is entitled “Everyday Luxuries” because, despite what some people believe, it is possible to indulge in luxurious wine without paying a small king’s fortune. What does that mean, you ask? Simply put, you can buy a “designer” name wine that is the real deal - not a fake - for a very reasonable price. It is entirely possible. Let us explain.

Understanding The World of Second and Third Wines

Many of the world’s most esteemed producers - let’s call them the designer brands of the wine world if you will - produce what are commonly referred to as second and third wines. These producers, who are known for incredible quality and attention to detail, often command extremely high prices for their wines, prices that are truly well out of reach when it comes to the every day consumer. They are possibly even out of reach for regular consumption by true wine enthusiasts who are willing to spend a lot of money on a bottle of wine….but just not every day.

Enter the idea of a second/third/fourth wine.

These savvy producers, who want to bring their wines to as many people as possible, therefore create other wine labels/wines. Often, these wines contain fruit from the same vineyards as their marquis label, but the fruit may be of a lesser quality. Often, these wines are also produced using less expensive winemaking techniques (for example, less use of extended aging in oak barrels) though this does not mean that they are not very high quality wines. Of note, in almost all instances, the winemaking team and know-how that is applied to both the marquis side of the portfolio vs. the more entry level side is the same.

And this is of critical importance. Much like a clothing brand that may offer both incredibly expensive pieces and more affordable ones in their collection, winemakers and estates do not want to compromise quality just because the price is lower. If it bears their name, they want to ensure that quality is paramount and that the consumer gets what they expect.

And this is where the consumer can really benefit. For the finance types, there is an arbitrage opportunity of sorts available here. You can buy a second or third wine and not pay a fortune, but still enjoy very good quality and wine in the glass. It really is the perfect answer for those who want an every day luxury in the wine glass.

Ornellaia And It’s Wines

Ornellaia is one such estate that allows wine lovers to experience the quality, precision and fine wine that they offer - at a range of price points.

For those who might not know, Ornellaia is a very prestigious Italian wine producer located in the coastal region of Bolgheri, Tuscany. The winery was founded in 1981 by Ludovico Antinori, a member of the famous Antinori winemaking family. It is worth noting that both the area of Bolgheri and Ornellaia itself are known worldwide for producing some of the best wines in Italy.

Ornellaia is known for its commitment to quality and its focus on producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Bolgheri region. The winery has received numerous accolades over the years, including being named one of the "Top 100 Wineries in the World" by Wine & Spirits magazine.

Ornellaia offers many famous wines as part of its portfolio. Their flagship red wine is the Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore. Made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for up to 18 months before being bottled and then often cellared for years and years before being enjoyed. This wine comes with a high price tag (into the hundreds of dollars) and has a huge fan base of dedicated drinkers all around the world.

Ornellaia also produces a red second wine called Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia. Also a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, this wine is a much more affordable price tag (it is about half as costly as the Bolgheri Superiore) but it is still outside the reach of most people for every day drinking and many would consider it to be a special occasion wine. This wine too has aging potential, though often considerably less than the Bolgheri Superiore.

Finally, as a third red wine, Ornellaia produces the Le Volte dell’Ornellaia. This is where we get into a seriously noteworthy quality to price ratio!

NOTE: Ornellaia also produces a white wine called Poggio alle Gazze dell'Ornellaia, which is produced from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Vermentino, and Verdicchio. This is also an excellent white wine, well worth the effort to find, though it is on the pricier end of white wines.

Le Volte dell’Ornellaia

The Le Volte dell’Ornellaia is made from more or less the same blend of grapes as the estate’s first and second red wines, though the ratios may vary, with more Merlot being used in this wine. It is also a wine that is made to be drunk relatively young (though it too can often be cellared for a short period if you so choose; see below for more) and it is vinified in a fresher, more fruity style that would appeal perhaps to a wider range of consumers.

Here’s a cool fact for you. The Le Volte dell’Ornellaia is partly aged in the same barriques (oak barrels) that are used to age the far more prestigious Bolgheri Superiore! How’s that for a stamp of quality?

This wine is produced in relatively large quantities and is therefore available in many parts of the world. It is at a much more affordable price point than the other two wines. In North America, it is relatively widely available for $30 or less a bottle.

The 2019 Le Volte dell’Ornellaia

The 2019 vintage was both warm and challenging in its own right and it produced very well balanced, ripe, structured grapes. This quality is immediately evident in the glass. This wine is both very expressive and fruit forward while also being deep, rich and restrained.

On the nose, it invites you in with warming notes of black cherries, ripe strawberries and red and black plums, purple floral notes, warm baking spices and dark planting soil. On the palate, the wine has a heady and inviting profile of dark and ripe berries and cassis, cinnamon, vanilla and cigar box notes. There is also some evolution evident in the wine given it has been aging in bottle for several years already. This evolution comes through with some earthiness in the glass.

This wine is decidedly elegant but it is not simple nor is it feeble, delivering considerable depth and structure that makes it very suitable for slow sipping while deeply contemplating something….or pairing with roasted meat dishes!

The Final Word(s)

The 2019 vintage of Le Volte dell’Ornellaia is surprisingly delicious and an excellent value at approximately $30. It is a definite recommended buy from our side.

Remember, this wine (like all wines) varies from vintage to vintage - with 2019 being a really good one in our view as we said above - but generally speaking, Le Volte always represents a good value option. We think this is a tremendous value wine that every wine lover should have in their collection.

It is the perfect wine for elevating a meal without a lot of fuss, fanfare or depletion of funds. It’s a bit like drinking Bordeaux….but different (because it’s from Italy after all!) and at a bargain basement price for the quality! It’s a wine we don’t hesitate to try year after year here at Wineitupanotch!

Until next time, wishing you peace, love, light…..and of course, good wine!

Cheers!