Orma - Passi di Orma Bolgheri 2016

Orma - Passi di Orma Bolgheri 2016 (88 TSW)
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Bolgheri region.

The owner of the winery, Antonio Moretti was born in Tuscany and built success across a variety of industries such as luxury goods, fashion, real estate, and finance. And while these endeavors drew Mr. Moretti around the globe, it was the connection to his roots that brought him back to Tuscany. The Orma property was purchased in 2004 by and the debut vintage was in 2005. The Orma estate is located in the district of Castagneto Carducci within the Bolgheri DOC, and is home to only 5.5 hectares of well-exposed vineyard.

Introduced with the 2015 vintage, Passi di Orma represents this venerated Bolgheri producer's second wine and the winery's first Bolgheri DOC. The name, which translates as "Steps from Orma" offers an accurate description of what lies inside the bottle-- a powerful and structured, yet slightly more accessible variant on Orma's namesake wine.

It is made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes, fermented in steel for 18 days, with maceration on the skin, at a controlled temperature of 28-30 ° C. The wine is aged for 6 months in French oak barrels and another 6 months in glass before it comes on the market.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a deep ruby red color with purple reflections.
On the medium+ nose elegant nose of blackberries, ripe plums and dark cherries with hints of black olives, bay leaf, chocolate and vanilla.
On the palate dry, medium+ bodied with medium acidity and medium ripe tannins. Round and supple mouthfeel with cassis, chocolate, cigar box and vanilla hints.Nice medium length finish. This 2016 vintage is already enjoyable to drink but can age fors ome more years.

Pairing: for example a lamb shank seasoned with rosemary and sea salt, seared duck breast with blueberry compote will echo the wine's juicy fruit. Hardy vegetarian fare such as smoky eggplant caponata will also match well with Passi di Orma.