A bottle of Tuscan wine sold at auction has proved once again that the region's wine is among the best loved in the world.
An 'Imperiale' bottle of Ornellaia was purchased for 4,230 euro and a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2003 for 8,230 euro.
The Tenuta di Ornellaia, one of the most prestigious wineries in the world, put a six-litre bottle of Ornellaia 2005 on the auction block.
The wine hits the market in May 2008.
The bottle was the second of 80 and comes directly from the winery's cellars where it was bottled in May 2007.
There are only 80 'Imperiali' from the 2005 harvest available to the world market (only 20 for Italy), all numbered and accompanied by a quality certificate that attests to the number of bottles produced, the date of bottling and the relative number of each specific bottle.
The auction figure was an indisputable success for the Ornellaia 2005 that highlights the security and stability of Ornellaia wine on the world stage.
It was a sign of faith for a vintage that will be released in two months.
The Imperiale bottle (six litres) of Ornellaia 2005 - created for the winery's twentieth anniversary - was inspired by the form of an evening gown.
The bottle has no label, but a gold leaf etching that highlights the important anniversary and a precious handmade box.
Ornellaia 2005 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (22%), Cabernet Franc (14%) and Petit Verdot (4%).
Its intense ruby red colour presents complex red and blackberry flavours with undertones of tobacco and spices.
Full and round, it develops with a significant tannin structure, dense with elegance that ends in a long fruit and balsamic finale.
