Region: TUSCANY Ornellaia is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, a faithful expression of a unique terroir always in harmony with nature. BLEND 2014 34% CABERNET SAUVIGNON 32% MERLOT 20% CABERNET FRANC 14% PETIT VERDOT THE VINTAGE The 2014 vintage will go down in history as one of the most unique in Ornellaia's memory. A warm and rainy winter was followed by a mild and dry spring, allowing for normal vegetative growth with timely and regular flowering. After a normal July, August was rainy and cold, creating very challenging conditions for grape ripening and significantly increasing disease pressure. Meticulous vineyard work, including leaf thinning and treatments throughout August, nonetheless allowed for excellent grape health, enabling them to reach September and October in good condition. These two months saw perfect conditions with predominantly sunny and dry weather, excellent for ripening. During harvest, meticulous bunch selection was crucial, both in the field—with up to three harvest passes in some vineyards—and on the sorting table, filling the vats only with perfectly healthy and fully ripe grapes. 2014 marked one of the longest and latest harvests at Ornellaia, with the first Merlots harvested from September 6, but a large portion of the historical vineyards—including some Merlots—harvested in October. The harvest conclusion on October 22 was the latest ever. THE WINEMAKER The 2014 vintage of Ornellaia was one of the most challenging we can remember; however, it allowed us to produce high-quality wines capable of offering great pleasure. The late ripening of the grapes allowed the fruit to express its maximum vibrancy and freshness. What stands out in particular is the high quality of the tannins on the palate: silky, refined, without any rough edges. This vintage represents the heart of the estate, the "Essence" of Ornellaia: its natural style, the exceptional quality of its terroir, and the skill of those who work in the vineyards and the cellar. Bottle: 75 cl