Poggio alle Gazze 2024 Tenuta dell' Ornellaia

Tasting Note Poggio alle Gazze 2024

Aromas of grapefruit and gooseberry from Sauvignon Blanc are complemented by subtle hints of lemon in the background. Through regular bâtonnage (the process of stirring spent yeast back into the wine) on fine lees over an 8-month period, the wine develops a creamy richness. Additionally, by omitting malolactic fermentation, the wine maintains a distinct flavor profile rather than becoming overly mellow. Despite its 13.5% alcohol content, this wine retains a light mouthfeel. The Poggio alle Gazze 2024 is easy to drink with a little patience and can be drank relative young, but since part of it was fermented in barrels, its texture is expected to become richer as it ages.

Grape Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc defines the aromatic profile of this wine, contributing greenish citrus nuances. Vermentino adds a salty, crisp edge, preventing the wine from taking on a tropical character. Semillon and Viognier are added in small quantities to provide mouthfeel and floral nuances.

Poggio alle Gazze 2024 Blend:

• 55% Sauvignon Blanc
• 40% Vermentino
• 3% Semillon
• 2% Viognier

Cellaring Potential

Since malolactic fermentation was not performed, the acidity stands out, and it is precisely this acidity that gives Poggio alle Gazze 2024 its vibrancy. This wine is best enjoyed by 2032. Serve at 8-12 °C, this is cool enough to preserve its freshness. Decanting is not necessary, however allowing the wine to breathe for about an hour will help the aromas open up.

About Tenuta dell' Ornellaia

Bolgheri's coastal strip, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the hills of Castagneto Carducci in the province of Livorno, is where Tenuta dell' Ornellaia grows classic Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, plus Sauvignon Blanc and some other white varietals for the Poggio alle Gazze white. Lodovico Antinori started the estate in 1981, and the first vintage was released in 1988 ( the 1985). Ownership shifted more than once after that, through Robert Mondavi, until the Frescobaldi family took full control in April 2005. Masseto, once part of the estate, became a separate winery in 2019, though production manager Marco Balsimelli still oversees both. Soils mix marine, alluvial material, and sea breezes cool the vineyards through summer. That shows in the wines. 

Terroir & Climate

Bolgheri is situated between the Tyrrhenian Sea and gentle hills and belongs to Castagneto Carducci in the province of Livorno. In summer, cool sea breezes sweep through the vineyards, slowing sugar accumulation and preserving the grapes' acidity. This is a crucial factor for the Sauvignon Blanc variety, which tends to lose its aroma quickly in hot weather. The soil is a mixture of marine deposits and alluvial sediments. Since the Tuscan coast maintains a consistently hot and dry climate, the vineyard follows its own schedule for harvesting.

Winemaking

Sauvignon Blanc is vinified on its own at Ornellaia, no Sémillon, which differs from the practice followed for Bordeaux.

The grapes are harvested by hand in the early morning into 15-kilogram crates and immediately chilled in the cellar to preserve their aromatic compounds. After sorting, the whole bunches are pressed slowly and gradually, taking great care to prevent oxidation. The must is left to settle by gravity for approximately twelve hours, after which the batches are separated: part is transferred to barriques (a quarter of which are new and a quarter have been used once), whilst the remainder goes into stainless steel and concrete vats.

Fermentation takes place at a temperature below 22 degrees, and the wine is deliberately not subjected to malolactic fermentation, which allows the acidity to be preserved in its original form. It is then aged for six months on fine lees with regular bâtonnage until the final blend is formed.

After light fining, the wine is aged for a further twelve months in bottles.

Food Pairing

The acidity is what makes this wine a perfect pairing for dinner. It neatly balances richness and saltiness without overpowering the delicate flavors.

• Sea bass or branzino, grilled over charcoal and served with lemon
• Fresh goat's cheese, the classic Sauvignon Blanc match
• Smoked salmon, where the green notes work better than oak would
• White asparagus with butter