Orma 2020

Tobacco, sage and rosemary come through nicely, together with redcurrants and cassis. Full-bodied, yet polished, with a solid and dense center-palate. Tight at the end now, but will open nicely. Needs two or three years to develop. 50% merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon and 20% cabernet franc. Try after 2025.

The 7.5ha Orma estate is located between Sassicaia and Ornellaia above the Bolgheri road, where there's less sand in the soil. Vinified in stainless steel with an 18-day maceration and regular pumping over, this blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc is then matured for 18 months in barriques, 50% new, followed by a further 12 months in bottle. Fresh and aromatic, the nose is full of sweet red fruits and herbs. Intense, zingy and spicy in the mouth, vibrant red and black hedgerow berries are accompanied by chocolate and herb streaks. Still very youthful, expect this to unfurl over the next few years. 35,000 bottles produced.

Bright ruby with a slight purple tinge. Intense nose with notes of clove, some mint, fine blackberry, slightly earthy components in the background. Spreads great on the palate, has a lot of finely meshed, hearty tannin, nice juiciness, crisp fruit and a long finish.

A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the Orma 2020 Orma is richly concentrated and midnight black in appearance. It presents considerable intensity in terms of its ink-like flavors of wild plum, blackberry confit, dark spice and cured tobacco. The wine wraps heavily over the palate, imparting lots of important textural richness along the way. You are best off serving a wine of this depth and magnitude with a classic T-bone cut bistecca alla fiorentina.