TWI
100pts
The Wine Independent
Deep ruby in color, the 2021 Ornellaia has an irresistible nose of violets, cherry cordial, salted caramel, cracked pepper, and fertile soil. The palate is incredibly nuanced, with a beautiful through-line of balletic tannins, freshness, and a finish laced with mulled spices and dark berries. A glass I will not soon forget and an accomplishment to be lauded for the team at Ornellaia. The blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot.
Aromas of blackcurrants, iodine, crushed stone, hints of mint and sage. Blue fruits. Full-bodied with chewy tannins that open with air. It’s racy and very long. Very tannin driven and energetic with power and focus. Muscular and very toned. This is the best Ornellaia for the cellar in years. Try after 2030.
The 2021 Ornellaia captures all the magic of this sensational vintage on the Tuscan Coast. Rich, ample and expansive, with tremendous polish, the 2021 is pure class. Dark-toned fruit, mocha, espresso, licorice, plum and dried herbs abound. The tannins are present but also beautifully integrated, as is the French oak. There was a time not too long ago when young wines here needed years in bottle to drink well. That's not at all the case with the 2021. The blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot works so well. New oak was 70%.
An intense red, defined by lively acidity and framed by dense, ripe tannins that showcase its black currant, blackberry, violet and toasty oak aromas and flavors. Iron and wild herb accents emerge as this plays out on the finish. Though expressive at this stage, this youthful version will benefit from time in bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2046.
A wine that feels like walking into an Italian bar just as the morning is getting started, the steam and heat of the Marzocco, the espresso grinding, the chocolate and jam oozing out of the fresh pastry, a hint of perfume and aftershave from everyone loitering before heading to the office. More welcoming than past Ornellaia—the generosity of spirit is felt.
The Ornellaia 2021 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia offers an extra layer of richness, generosity and plushness that shapes a very open-knit and exuberant Tuscan red. The blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. You feel the fruit and oak weight of the wine, the extract and the 15% alcohol content. All of these elements come together to big effect. From that power, you get black cherry, dark fruit, sweet spice and barbecue smoke. The fruit tannins are young, and this edition of Ornellaia proves worthy for medium or long-term drinking, especially as it softens up with more bottle age.
Nice abundant aromatics on the nose, smells generous. Tight and lean, the slightly austere, very mineral-edged tannins give the first impression, completely coating the mouth in almost dry tannins with cool blue fruit underneath. It has freshness but also feels a little pinched and not so easy. Dark fruit comes in after a while with the oak clearly on display. This needs time to come together and harmonise, it's not there yet, disjointed with sweet fruit, cool fruit, acidity in the background, tannins to the fore. I do like the sensibility and the sense of purity you get overall and there are lots of nice individual elements but it's not at the point of charming so give it time. I'd love to try this again in a few years. 7% Petit Verdot completes the blend.