Ornellaia, Toscana IGT (Tuscany, Italy) 2019

 No one needs an introduction to Ornellaia, a Bordeaux-blend and one of Italy’s greatest wines.  But some explanation about Le Volte is important since even Ornellaia’s website reveals few details of this wine.  Ornellaia took a giant leap in quality in 1997 when they introduced Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia, a second wine, also a Bordeaux-blend.  At the same time, they introduced Le Volte, often misinterpreted as a third wine, which it is not.  Le Volte, unlike Ornellaia’s other two wines, blends Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but like its stablemates has the same glossy texture, which is one of signatures of Alex Heinz, the winemaker.  The 2019 is a bright and lively mid-weight wine, displaying a lovely combination of fresh cherry-like notes and a hint of earthiness.  A touch of bitterness in the finish emphasizes that Heinz has taken care that it can stand on its own and that it’s not an overdone fruit bomb.  Unlike Serre Nuove and Ornellaia itself, the 2019 Le Volte is ready for the dinner table now.  I’ve seen it widely available in the New York City area for $20, which makes it a fabulous deal.