Ornellaia
About Ornellaia
Founded in 1981, the estate which overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea is comprised of 99 hectares of the finest vines in Tuscany. Located by the sea but sheltered by neighbouring hills, the vineyards are planted at altitudes ranging from 50 to 120 meters above sea level, on slopes ranging from 5 to 20°. Possessing a very particular microclimate, this terroir is excellent for both perfect ripening as well as stunning views.
Viniculture
Remarkably, for an estate of this size, grapes are still hand-harvested before undergoing extremely rigorous sorting to ensure only the finest fruit is vinified. The result of these tremendous efforts in both the vineyard and winery is a flagship cuvée to rival the greatest wines on Earth. Most closely associated as a rival to the mighty Sassicaia, Ornellaia is in fact a different beast entirely. With a significant proportion of Merlot in its blend, alongside no shyness towards new oak, this is an altogether more opulent and sensual Super Tuscan.
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Tuscany | 2 | 90 (VN) | $424.00 | |||||
Vinous (90)Serre Nuove is the estate's second wine. It is made from barrels that are culled out of the selection process for Ornellaia with most of the fruit coming from the estate's younger vines. The 2004 Serre Nuove offers beautiful harmony in its ripe fruit, outstanding length and fine tannins. It is a great example of the level of quality achieved by the second wines in this vintage. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 94 (VN) | $352.30 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2011 Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia comes across as tight and shut down today. There is plenty of depth in the glass, but less of the appeal I saw just a few months ago. The high tannins of the vintage and the relatively large amount of Petit Verdot (14%) are both very marked at this stage in the wine's life. Readers holding the 2011 are best off cellaring their bottles for at least another 1-2 years. The 2011 Le Serre Nuove is a powerhouse. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 93 (VN) | $404.00 | |||||
Vinous (93)The 2012 Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is striking. Mocha, plums, roasted coffee beans, espresso, dark red fruit and smoke are some of the notes that meld together in the glass. Deceptively medium in body, the 2012 possesses notable energy and structure. This is a terrific showing from Ornellaia's second wine. |
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Tuscany | 2 | 94 (VN) | $463.00 | |||||
Vinous (94)The 2015 Le Serre Nuove shows just how alluring this vintage is. Silky, perfumed and also wonderfully light on its feet, the 2015 is a real pleasure to taste today. All of the Ornellaia signatures come through in an attractive, mid-weight wine that will drink well right out of the gate. The 2015 is a stunning Serre Nuove. That's all there is to it. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 94 (JS) | $161.00 | |||||
James Suckling (94)Appreciate the aromas of crushed stones and currants that follow through to a full body, velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Lots of dark-berry and walnut character in the aftertaste. Beautiful second wine of Ornellaia. Already very attractive, but better after 2022. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 94 (JS) | $414.00 | |||||
James Suckling (94)Appreciate the aromas of crushed stones and currants that follow through to a full body, velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Lots of dark-berry and walnut character in the aftertaste. Beautiful second wine of Ornellaia. Already very attractive, but better after 2022. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 93 (JS) | $107.00 | |||||
James Suckling (93)An integrated, ripe red with currant, berry and light tobacco character. Medium to full body, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Second wine of Ornellaia. Lovely now, but better in a year or two. Try after 2021. |
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Tuscany | 2 | 93 (JS) | $385.00 | |||||
James Suckling (93)An integrated, ripe red with currant, berry and light tobacco character. Medium to full body, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Second wine of Ornellaia. Lovely now, but better in a year or two. Try after 2021. |
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Tuscany | 6 | 93 (VN) | $270.00 | |||||
Vinous (93)The 2018 Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is everything a second wine should be. Open-knit and silky, with impeccable balance and tons of sheer appeal, the 2018 is exquisite today. I would prefer to drink it on the early side in order to capture all of its freshness. In some vintages, Le Serre Nuove can be a bit imposing; in 2018 is all charm and seduction. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 93 (VN) | $301.00 | |||||
Vinous (93)The 2018 Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is everything a second wine should be. Open-knit and silky, with impeccable balance and tons of sheer appeal, the 2018 is exquisite today. I would prefer to drink it on the early side in order to capture all of its freshness. In some vintages, Le Serre Nuove can be a bit imposing; in 2018 is all charm and seduction. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 95 (JS) | $308.00 | |||||
James Suckling (95)Currants, sweet tobacco, walnut husk and flowers on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied, it grows on the palate, with firm yet polished tannins and a flavorful finish. Very solid and well-crafted second wine from Ornellaia. Drink after 2023. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 93 (WA) | $266.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (93)The Ornellaia 2020 Bolgheri Rosso Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia (a proprietary blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) is a generous and darkly toned red blend that has the extra fruit fiber, sweetness and generous plumpness of a warm vintage. The fullness of the fruit is on full display, but in a very relaxed and natural manner. The wine never feels like too much. The tannins are yielding and velvety, and this purebred Tuscan red wraps thickly over the palate. It's poised for near- and medium-term drinking. |
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Tuscany | 2 | 95 (WE) | $336.00 | |||||
Wine Enthusiast (95)On the nose, hot, meaty, umami aromas hold court, but dark fruit and a sanguine, tangy metallic component prevent those notes of smoke, pepper and tar from becoming overpowering. Undertones of vanilla and chocolate lift the fruit on the palate, but unyielding tannins and energetic acid ensure the spicy earthiness endures. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 93 (WS) | $811.00 | |||||
Wine Spectator (93)An outstanding discovery. Ripe and tannic, with lots of tobacco flavor to add depth to the raisin and cherry flavors. Supple, harmonious and complex, a bit tough, built like a claret for long-term aging. Try it in 1993 to see how it is developing. 1,000 cases made. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (JS) | $1,740.00 | |||||
James Suckling (97)Fruit and complexity as well as freshness and richness. Beautiful nose with extraordinary aromas of prunes, licorice, and dried flowers with rosemary undertones. Full-bodied and velvety textured. So beautiful to drink now, but obviously has a long future ahead. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (JS) | $831.00 | |||||
James Suckling (97)Racy. Subtle aromas of berries and currants, with hints of fresh herbs. Very refined and full, with silky yet firm tannins. Harmonious. Drink or hold. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (JS) | $4,335.00 | |||||
James Suckling (97)Racy. Subtle aromas of berries and currants, with hints of fresh herbs. Very refined and full, with silky yet firm tannins. Harmonious. Drink or hold. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 18.5 (JR) | $1,800.00 | |||||
Jancis Robinson (18.5)Such a beautiful, perfumed nose! Nuanced, sculpted; swirls of blueberry, chocolate and coffee. Tremendously elegant, finely cut and glamorous – would grace any catwalk. Aristocratic poise displaying long-legged cashmere-clad tannins. So long. So very long. |
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Tuscany | 2 | 97 (WA) | $585.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (97)The 2009 Ornellaia caresses the palate with layers of seamless, radiant fruit. Sweet red berries, mocha, flowers, new leather and spices are some of the many notes that are layered in this sumptuous, totally beautiful wine. The 2009 stands out for its silky tannins and phenomenal overall balance. This is one of those wines that will probably enjoy a long drinking window. There is little question the ability to blend grape varieties was a huge help in this vintage. In my opinion, that is the main reason Ornellaia is a slightly more complete wine than Masseto in 2009. In one of my blind tastings, the 2009 made a very eloquent case for itself as the wine of the vintage. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. In 2009 winemaker Axel Heinz used the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc ever in Ornellaia and gave the wine less time in oak, both with the goal of preserving as much freshness as possible. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (WA) | $1,990.00 | |||||
Wine Advocate (97)The 2009 Ornellaia caresses the palate with layers of seamless, radiant fruit. Sweet red berries, mocha, flowers, new leather and spices are some of the many notes that are layered in this sumptuous, totally beautiful wine. The 2009 stands out for its silky tannins and phenomenal overall balance. This is one of those wines that will probably enjoy a long drinking window. There is little question the ability to blend grape varieties was a huge help in this vintage. In my opinion, that is the main reason Ornellaia is a slightly more complete wine than Masseto in 2009. In one of my blind tastings, the 2009 made a very eloquent case for itself as the wine of the vintage. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. In 2009 winemaker Axel Heinz used the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc ever in Ornellaia and gave the wine less time in oak, both with the goal of preserving as much freshness as possible. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. |
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