Ornellaia

The Importance of Terroir

Ornellaia is situated close to the Mediterranean, providing the vineyards with a unique microclimate. This mild yet sunny climate is ideal for growing grapes that thrive under stable conditions. The fertile soil, composed of a mix of clay, sand, and limestone, also contributes to creating wines with great complexity and depth. The Bolgheri wine region is flat and protected by mountains that shield it from the elements.

A focus on Sustainability

To preserve the quality of their wines and respect the environment, Ornellaia has been working with sustainable methods for many years. This includes minimal use of chemicals and close monitoring of the entire production process, from cultivation to bottling.

The Big Five

The wines Sassicaia, Tignanello, Ornellaia, Masseto, and Solaia are often referred to as "the Big Five" or "the original Super Tuscans." These wines were among the first to break away from the traditional winemaking rules in Tuscany by incorporating international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot alongside classic Italian varieties such as Sangiovese. This innovative approach has inspired many other producers to experiment with their blends. At the same time, these five wines have consistently achieved high ratings from wine critics and are recognized for their outstanding quality and complexity. They represent the best that Tuscany has to offer and have become coveted collector's items with iconic status.

The Wines from Ornellaia

Here is a selection of the wines produced at Ornellaia:

Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore

Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore is the flagship wine of the house and is among the most iconic wines in the world. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, giving it a complex and rich structure. Ornellaia is known for its elegance and immense complexity, which it develops over time, making it a favorite among collectors and connoisseurs.

Tasting notes: Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore has notes of dark berries such as blackcurrant and blackberry, along with subtle hints of spices, licorice, and tobacco. With its full body and silky tannins, it is a wine that is enjoyable to drink young but has enormous potential for development after several years of aging.

Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia

Le Serre Nuove is Ornellaia's "second wine," but that does not mean it is any less impressive. This wine is made from the estate's younger vines and is also a Bordeaux blend, where Merlot is the primary grape. Le Serre Nuove offers a more accessible wine experience, both in terms of price and flavor, but it shares many of the same characteristics as the Ornellaia wine and has aging potential of up to 20 years. Le Serre Nuove is an excellent introduction to Ornellaia's style and certainly a great buy if you see it on ShareWine.

Tasting notes: Like Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove has high complexity in both aroma and flavor. It has a fine balance between acidity and tannins, making it an excellent wine to enjoy young.

Le Volte dell'Ornellaia

Le Volte is a more everyday-friendly wine from Ornellaia, also based on a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. It is accessible and affordable but still true to the house's high-quality standards.

Tasting notes: Le Volte has an inviting nose with aromas of cherries, plums, and spices. It is fresh and fruity with high acidity, making it a balanced and approachable wine.

Variazioni in Rosso

Variazioni in Rosso is an exciting wine that represents a variation of the grapes and techniques also used in Ornellaia. This wine varies slightly from year to year, depending on which grapes and parcels best suit the blend. The wine is created to showcase the diversity of Bolgheri's terroir and offers a different interpretation of the same grapes used in Ornellaia. A unique feature of this wine is that it is sold exclusively at the estate.

Tasting notes: Variazioni in Rosso has a deep red color and offers notes of ripe black fruits, tobacco, and a slightly spicy finish. It is smooth on the palate with a complex structure that evolves with each sip. An intriguing wine that is very different from Ornellaia's other wines.

Poggio alle Gazze dell'Ornellaia

Although Ornellaia is best known for its red wines, they also produce an excellent white wine called Poggio alle Gazze dell'Ornellaia. This wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc, blended with smaller amounts of Vermentino and Viognier. Poggio alle Gazze is a fine example of how high-quality white wine can be produced in a region primarily known for its reds.

Tasting notes: Poggio alle Gazze has a fresh and aromatic profile with notes of citrus fruits, green apples, and a light minerality. The wine has a lovely acidity and a crisp finish, making it an excellent choice for warm days or as an accompaniment to light dishes.

Masseto – Ornellaia’s Close Relative

Although Masseto is now considered an independent wine producer, its roots are closely linked to Ornellaia. Masseto was created in the 1980s when it was discovered that a single vineyard on Ornellaia’s estate, called "Masseto," had unique potential for Merlot grapes. This vineyard quickly became known for producing some of the best Merlot-based wines in the world.

Despite Masseto now operating as a separate entity, they still share a common history and heritage with Ornellaia. Both wines reflect the passion for quality and innovation that is embedded in the entire production. While Ornellaia focuses on Bordeaux blends, Masseto specializes in Merlot, and together these two producers create some of Italy’s most prestigious wines. While Ornellaia wines are often more structured and complex due to their blend of different grape varieties, Masseto is a more concentrated and intense wine experience that showcases the full potential of Merlot. This makes them both unique representatives of their respective styles.

Ornellaia Vendemmia d’Artista

Ornellaia’s Vendemmia d’Artista program is an annual project where a selected artist creates unique labels for a special edition of their flagship wine, Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore. Each year, an artist is chosen to interpret the essence of the specific vintage through art. When purchasing an Ornellaia 6-pack OWC, one of the bottles will feature the artist label. This artwork is also displayed on a limited series of large-format bottles, with part of the proceeds from sales donated to charitable causes. The program combines wine and art, emphasizing Ornellaia’s focus on creativity and craftsmanship.

10 of the Greatest Vintages of Ornellaia

Here are 10 of the best vintages of Ornellaia, praised by wine critics and enthusiasts for their quality, complexity, and aging potential:

• 2021: Ornellaia 2021 is recognized as an outstanding vintage with the potential to become a classic. The climate was cooler and more stable, resulting in wines with elegance, freshness, and finesse. Slow ripening gave the grapes a deep concentration, balanced acidity, and smooth tannins. While young, this vintage shows complexity and structure and is expected to age beautifully over the coming decades.

• 2016: Considered one of the finest Ornellaia vintages ever produced, 2016 is known for its perfect balance, vibrant freshness, and elegant structure. The growing season offered stable weather conditions, contributing to the wine’s impressive finesse and depth. It is praised for its longevity and aging potential, combining fruit purity with refined tannins.

• 2015: A rich and intense vintage, 2015 is noted for its bold character and remarkable depth. The year had a warm growing season, which allowed for full ripening of the grapes, leading to a wine with complex layers of ripe fruit, spice, and subtle oak. This vintage has the power and complexity to age for many years while also offering an approachable, full-bodied experience.

• 2010: This vintage stands out for its powerful and concentrated flavors. The long, even growing season helped the grapes develop richness and intensity. Known for its muscular structure and ability to age, the 2010 vintage still offers vibrant fruit notes balanced by robust tannins, making it a collector’s favorite for long-term aging.

• 2009: A warm year gave the 2009 Ornellaia a full-bodied, rich, and velvety texture with generous, ripe tannins. This vintage is known for its luscious fruit profile, featuring dark berries and plum, combined with hints of chocolate and spice. Its approachable nature when young, paired with its aging potential, makes 2009 a very versatile vintage.

• 2006: The 2006 Ornellaia is celebrated for its exceptional structure and complexity. A cool growing season resulted in wines with outstanding balance and finesse. This vintage is known for its elegant expression of dark fruit, layered with tobacco, cedar, and earthy notes. The firm tannins and acidity promise excellent aging potential.

• 2004: Often cited as one of the most iconic Ornellaia vintages, 2004 displays a harmonious blend of power and elegance. The vintage has a perfect balance of fruit concentration and freshness, leading to an expressive wine with fine-grained tannins and a long, persistent finish. This wine continues to develop gracefully in the bottle, offering remarkable aging potential.

• 2001: A classic and complex vintage, 2001 is praised for its intensity and depth of flavor. This year’s long, cool growing season allowed for slow ripening, resulting in a wine with layers of dark fruit, leather, and earthy tones. The tannic structure of the 2001 Ornellaia has softened beautifully over time, making it a sought-after vintage for collectors.

• 1998: 1998 was one of the breakthrough vintages that established Ornellaia as a world-class wine producer. The wine still shows impressive structure and elegance, even after many years. The fruit has integrated beautifully with notes of leather, cedar, and spices, and the tannins have softened, offering a smooth and refined experience.

• 1997: Known for its ripe, rich character, the 1997 vintage was a warm year that resulted in wines with bold fruit flavors and softer tannins. Over two decades later, the wine still exhibits deep, concentrated fruit balanced by earthy and spice undertones. This vintage remains highly drinkable, offering both power and smoothness.

These vintages represent some of Ornellaia's greatest achievements and have secured their place among the world's best wine producers.