Wine of the Week: 2008 Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia

2008 Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia

In search of a wine to bring to a special dinner? How about the latest vintage of Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia, the second wine of the famous Super Tuscan estate Tenuta di Ornellaia in Bolgheri, on the Tuscan coast? Le Serre Nuove is made after Ornellaia is blended, using some of the same base wines, along with wines from the estate’s younger vineyards. But though the main bottling can easily run $150, this is much less.

The 2008 is a supple beauty, a blend of 50% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon with a little Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Lush and round, with a deep ruby color and gorgeous ripe fruit, the 2008 Le Serre is a vibrant, deeply satisfying wine. Drink it now, or save it for later.

Break open a bottle for a bistecca alla fiorentina or with a simple pork or beef roast, crusty roast potatoes and maybe some cippollini onions.

—S. Irene Virbila

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Price: $45 to $55

Style: Rich and full-bodied

What it goes with: Roasts and grilled meats

Where to find it: L.A. Wine Co. in Marina del Rey, (310) 306-9463, https://www.lawineco.com; K&L Wine Merchants in Hollywood, (323) 464-9463, https://www.klwines.com; Mission Wines in South Pasadena, (626) 403-9463, https://www.missionwines.com; Mission Wine & Spirits in Pasadena, (626) 794-7026, and Sherman Oaks, https://www.missionwineandspirits.com; Wally’s Wine & Spirits in West Los Angeles, (310) 475-0606, https://www.wallywine.com; Wine Exchange in Orange, (714) 974-1454, https://www.winex.com, among others