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Ornellaia 2018
BOTTLE:
$950.00
Out of stock
SKU
75723
HALF-DOZEN: $5,415.00 or $902.50 each
DOZEN: $10,260.00 or $855.00 each
DOZEN: $10,260.00 or $855.00 each
The 2018 Ornellaia is an introvert at this stage. Medium in body, with terrific persistence and impeccable balance, the 2018 is not in any mood to show all its cards today. Hints of red berry fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and dried flowers emerge with a bit of coaxing. I won’t be surprised to see it put on weight with more time in bottle. There is certainly plenty to look forward to. Readers should expect a silky, aromatic Ornellaia in line with vintages such as 2004 that are more about finesse than raw power. This is the first time in which Merlot drives the blend in Ornellaia. (97) ANTONIO GALLONI, Vinous
The 2018 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is complete and seamlessly stitched together with extreme care and precision. This is an almost technical blend of Merlot (at 50% of the blend for the first time), 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot that offers a true sense of wholeness and consistency that speaks to the blending expertise and experience of the winemaking team. Finding harmony among the various vinous components of the wine was especially important in this vintage that prized early-ripening grapes like Merlot over the others. Blackberry and dried cherry segue to spice, tar, campfire ash and more sweet fruit. We're off to a great start, and this vintage of Ornellaia is surely destined to flesh out and grow more complex with age. (95) MONICA LARNER, The Wine Advocate
The 2018 Ornellaia is mostly Merlot but includes a solid amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It's a gorgeous wine that takes air to show at its best (and deserves bottle age), giving up a terrific array of red and black currants, cedar pencil, tobacco, iron, and savory herbs. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, incredibly well-balanced red that has building, ripe, polished tannins, perfectly integrated acidity, a great mid-palate, and one heck of a finish. While not a blockbuster in the exuberant, extroverted sense of the word, it has incredible intensity and depth, and this is a gem of a wine. It needs another 5-7 years to hit maturity and, I suspect, will evolve for 30-40 years. (97) JEB DUNNUCK
51% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot fermented in stainless steel and concrete tanks, while MLF and ageing for 18 months took place in oak barrels of which 70% were new. Lustrous youthful ruby. Very pretty red-fruit nose, more 'cool climate' than warm Bolgheri. Sour cherry and hints of cassis, cigar box, black pepper and cinnamon bark. Elegant, supple palate with plenty of concentration. Bitter laurel notes and still quite chewy tannins. Already accessible but the tannins need more time to round out. There is a bit of a contrast between the stubborn character of the tannins and the accessible fruit. (17+) JancisRobinson.com
The 2018 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is complete and seamlessly stitched together with extreme care and precision. This is an almost technical blend of Merlot (at 50% of the blend for the first time), 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot that offers a true sense of wholeness and consistency that speaks to the blending expertise and experience of the winemaking team. Finding harmony among the various vinous components of the wine was especially important in this vintage that prized early-ripening grapes like Merlot over the others. Blackberry and dried cherry segue to spice, tar, campfire ash and more sweet fruit. We're off to a great start, and this vintage of Ornellaia is surely destined to flesh out and grow more complex with age. (95) MONICA LARNER, The Wine Advocate
The 2018 Ornellaia is mostly Merlot but includes a solid amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It's a gorgeous wine that takes air to show at its best (and deserves bottle age), giving up a terrific array of red and black currants, cedar pencil, tobacco, iron, and savory herbs. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, incredibly well-balanced red that has building, ripe, polished tannins, perfectly integrated acidity, a great mid-palate, and one heck of a finish. While not a blockbuster in the exuberant, extroverted sense of the word, it has incredible intensity and depth, and this is a gem of a wine. It needs another 5-7 years to hit maturity and, I suspect, will evolve for 30-40 years. (97) JEB DUNNUCK
51% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot fermented in stainless steel and concrete tanks, while MLF and ageing for 18 months took place in oak barrels of which 70% were new. Lustrous youthful ruby. Very pretty red-fruit nose, more 'cool climate' than warm Bolgheri. Sour cherry and hints of cassis, cigar box, black pepper and cinnamon bark. Elegant, supple palate with plenty of concentration. Bitter laurel notes and still quite chewy tannins. Already accessible but the tannins need more time to round out. There is a bit of a contrast between the stubborn character of the tannins and the accessible fruit. (17+) JancisRobinson.com