Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore 2019
- Vintage
- 2019
- Country
- Italy
- Region
- Tuscany
- Size
- 750ml
- Grapes
- 53% Cabernet Sauvignon,23% Merlot,17% Cabernet Franc
- Rating
- WA97, JS97, WS96
This is a beautiful expression of coastal Tuscany and the sunny Mediterranean. The Ornellaia 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia (a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot) pours from the bottle with a specific darkness that has elements of both inky saturation and ruby highlights. The wine is saturated and rich—this is something you notice off the bat—but it also reveals a pleasing lightness or grace that is transmitted to both the bouquet and the palate. Dark fruit, pressed blackberry and plum mingle with more substantial aromas of spice, leather and sweetly cured tobacco. The tannins are beautifully managed, and the wine sports considerable heft and density on the palate that drives a very long and pleasurable mouthfeel. Drink:2025~2048 - WA97
The aromas of blackcurrants, fresh basil and thyme, as well as cedar and sandalwood are so attractive. It’s full-bodied and very linear with tight tannins that draw you down the length of this young wine. Wet-earth and cool-stone undertones. It’s solid and so structured. A classic Ornellaia for the cellar. - JS97
A youthful red, concentrated and balanced, with blackberry, plum, earth and spice flavors gaining lift from the vibrant structure, while tannins envelop the lively fruit components. The finish is shored up by fine-grained tannins. This has all the components in the right place. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2043. - WS96
This is a powerful, intriguing and mysterious Ornellaia. The wine does not reveal all the facets immediately in the glass, but envelop the palate with a curiosity to discern the nuances over time. - Winemaker's Notes
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia is one of the foremost producers in the Bolgheri appellation on the coast of Tuscany, particularly known for making one of Italy's most famous and expensive wines, Ornellaia. This Bordeaux-style blend is one of the original 'Super Tuscans', and is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, instead of Tuscany's most famous variety, Sangiovese.
The vineyard, which neighbors Sassacaia in Tuscany's coastal Maremma region, enjoys gentle sea breezes which mitigate the summer heat, and is sheltered by neighboring hills from cold winter winds. The soils are a complex mix of alluvial, volcanic and marine elements, providing a good base for the Bordeaux varieties which are planted here. After hand picking and careful selection – firstly by bunch and secondly grape by grape – each variety and each vineyard block is vinified separately in stainless steel tanks. Ornellaia is aged for around 18 months in oak, 70 percent of which is new. Grapes which do not make the cut for the top wine are redirected to Le Serre Nuove, which usually has more Merlot, and less time in oak.
The Tenuta dell'Ornellaia portfolio also includes the second wine Le Volte, a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, Poggio alla Gazze, a Sauvignon Blanc-based white and Ornus, a late harvest Petit Manseng. Tenuta dell'Ornellaia also owns Masseto, a single-vineyard Merlot with its own winery and an even higher price tag.
The company was founded in 1981 by Marchese Ludovico Antinori, with the first vintage in 1985. From 2002 to 2005 the estate was co-owned by Robert Mondavi and Marchesi di Frescobaldi, but since 2005 Frescobaldi has owned it outright. Michel Rolland has been engaged as consultant winemaker since 1991. – Information from Wine Searchers