Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/288975
Ornellaia at 25 A ccording to Alex Belson, Sales and Marketing Director for Ornellaia, the Chinese market hasn't yet begun clamoring for an allocation of the famed Super Tuscan so the U.S. allotment of the company's top wine isn't being threatened. During a tast- ing at San Francisco's Taj Campton Place, Belson, who has directed global efforts for the winery since 1999, poured current releases Le Volte dell'Ornellaia 2011, Le Serre Nuove dell 'Ornellaia 2011 and the 25th anniversary bottling of Ornellaia 2010. "Our Le Serre Nuove is the middle child; it's relatively unknown," said Belson of the Bordeaux-style blend sourced from the 99-hectare Bolgheri estate. With dark, plummy fruit, medium tannins and well-integrated signs of second- and third-use oak, the wine foreshadows the 2011 Ornellaia, which has been themed "Il Infinito" for its lengthy finish. "2011 is considered a superior vintage for the estate," said Belson, "our vineyards are maturing and we're seeing that reflected in these wines." The winery's first estate-grown Viognier was harvested in 2011 and forms part of a 2,000-case production of Poggio alle Gazze, which is a Sauvignon Blanc–dominant blend. Ornellaia is imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners. —Deborah Parker Wong Ornellaia's Alex Belson. Project: Tequila Rose Limited Edition Splash Ad - Tasting Panel - Arpil 2014 - HP4C Size: 3.375" W x 10" H Version: v01 Date: 03/03/14 Color: 4C Contact: Patrick Fee, Creative & Design Manager - pfee@mccormickdistilling.com Notes: TR_LimitedSplash_TastingPanel_HP4C_v01.indd 1 3/3/14 2:03 PM april 2014 / the tasting panel / 19 PHOTO: DEBORAH PARKER WONG TP0414_001-33.indd 19 3/21/14 11:53 AM