Axel Heinz (French mother, German father) studied in Bordeaux and cut his teeth in Pomerol, before he was offered the job of senior winemaker at Ornellaia in 2005. The fourth enologist to accept a position at the property, his predecessor was Thomas Duroux, now overseeing winemaking at Château Palmer. After his 15th vintage, Heinz describes Ornellaia as: "More immediate, opulent and extrovert than, say, a typical Medoc, but with the necessary freshness and balance that is essential for any fine wine to age." Wine writer Antonio Galloni agrees; he awarded the 2006 vintage of Ornellaia 97 points, describing it as "magnificent".