93 points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
92 points - Wine Spectator
"The opulent 2003 Ornellaia (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot) presents a dramatic contrast to the 2004 in its super-ripe, open nose and jammy dark fruit. Ample and warm on the palate, it is clearly the product of a very hot vintage, yet it shows notable freshness along with much persistence, great overall balance and a lingering note of sweetness on the finish..Tenuta dell’Ornellaia is without question one of Italy’s blue-chip properties."
- A.G., Wine Advocate, April, 2007
One could certainly make the argument for Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia in Tuscany’s Bolgheri region. This estate has a track record envied by wineries all over the world. The two top wines from the estate, Ornellaia and Masseto, are sought out each year by serious collectors and have received critical acclaim that matches the first-growths of Bordeaux.
In 2001, Wine Spectator named the 1998 Ornellaia “Wine of the Year” after tasting almost 11,000 wines from all wine producing countries. And in October, 2004, the magazine awarded 2001 Masseto its highest rating, 100 points. Demand today for the wines of Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia has never been higher.
What makes Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia wines so spectacular? The unique Bolgheri appellation, the micro-climate of the estate, rigorous attention to the vineyard, and sublime winemaking. Over the years, we have had people tell us that these wines are the greatest they have ever tasted. Tough to argue.
This was a very hot vintage in Tuscany, and all over Italy for that matter. We had to leave Florence in July because it was too much to bear, and headed for the coast where we stopped in at Ornellaia and at least enjoyed some cool sea breezes. Tasting the 2003 vintage, the vines must have enjoyed them, too.
The 2003 is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. Each variety and vineyard parcel was vinified separately. After a maceration period of 25 to 30 days, the wine went into French oak barriques (70% new and 30% once used) where the individual lots aged for 12 months. Then, the master blend was made and the wine was returned to barrel for another 6 months before it was bottled.
Our advice: don’t think of these wines as Italian, or Cabernet, or a Bordeaux-style blend; what you are tasting is the Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia estate in Bolgheri. There is nothing else like it.
