"...a meticulously made Ornellaia that captures the vintage with remarkable elegance...98 points." (ML) Wine Advocate
This week sees the release of the 2023 vintage of Ornellaia, with a 98-point score from The Wine Advocate, at £848 per six bottles in bond. We have limited stock to offer, so please let us know if you would like to request an allocation.
If you need a reminder of the Super Tuscan 'landscape': Ornellaia is a Bordeaux blend, first made in 1985, on the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia estate in Bolgheri, on the coast of Tuscany, just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean. The 2023 is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot.
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia is adjacent to the Tenuta San Guido, home to Sassicaia. Ornellaia's founder, Ludovico Antinori, was a nephew (by marriage) of Sassicaia's founder, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. Today, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia is owned by another famous Tuscan wine family, the Frescobaldis.
Ornellaia's vineyards are split into numerous parcels, with complex alluvial soils that used to form part of the seabed, containing sand, marl and fossils, with more clay emerging as you go higher up the hillsides. As with all Bolgheri wines, the proximity of the sea means a cool, fresh climate, quite distinct from what we associate with hotter areas like Brunello.
The 2023 vintage in Bolgheri saw a mild winter with balanced rainfall, to get the growing season off to a good start. Spring saw plenty of rain, topping up water reserves ahead of the summer months. The summer itself was warm without seeing significant heat spikes, complimented by timely rainfall to avoid any stress to the vines, leading to steady and even ripening, enabling the grapes to develop excellent concentration and phenolic maturity. Rainfall towards the end of August, combined with cooler night-time temperatures in September, enhanced aromatic complexity while preserving freshness and acidity.
The magic formula of Bordeaux grape varieties grown under Mediterranean sunshine giving generous, open wines with fresh, marine influences, makes Ornellaia one of those fine wines that our customers tend to drink and enjoy, rather than leaving it in their cellar. But, if you have one eye on the market, it's worth noting that the release price for the '23 is 8.3% down on the previous two vintages, whilst Monica Larner's score of 98 points makes it her top Ornellaia vintage, alongside the 2016.
Please e-mail us if you would like to request an allocation.
Offered pre-landing, expected in the UK in June 2026.
| RED | 2023 | Ornellaia | 75cl | £848 per case of 6 | Ornellaia 2023 / / 75cl £848 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The Ornellaia 2023 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot, and it is worth noting that Merlot remains present at nearly the same percentage as previous years, despite the greater challenges faced by early-ripening varieties in this mildew-prone vintage. Careful fruit selection made the difference. The wine shows impressive richness and concentration with a bouquet that leans botanical and complex, marked by dark fruit, Mediterranean thyme and rosemary. The nose was slightly closed when I tasted the wine, but it will open. The texture is velvety and polished, delivering beautiful richness with a sense of succulence that feels expansive on the palate. According to proprietor Lamberto Frescobaldi, the goal is to establish a clear through line focused on freshness and balancing fruit and spice while avoiding excess ripeness. This is a meticulously made Ornellaia that captures the vintage with remarkable elegance. The wine was bottled in July 2025 and is scheduled for release in March 2026. 98 points" Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate------"Moreish, confident and well judged, this is smoky yet ethereal, muscular yet light, wonderfully juicy and fragrant, with a perfectly judged blend of lightness of touch set against an unmistakable punch of damson, loganberry and red cherry fruits. Liquorice, tapenade and slate ensure the texture is slow and steady, and this is just a fabulous wine. Marco Balsimelli director, 65% new oak for ageing. 100 points" janeanson.com |
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