Ornellaia by Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong finish

Aroma: black cherry, cassis, graphite, sweet cedar

Palate: dark plum, iron, espresso, polished oak

Lodovico Antinori's Bolgheri Bordeaux-blend, founded 1981. Bolgheri Superiore DOC under Frescobaldi ownership; Wine Spectator Wine of the Year 2001 for the 1998 vintage.

What it pairs with

Rib of beef, dry-aged Find rib of beef, dry-aged on TableJourney →
Bolgheri Cabernet structure handles dry-aged beef.
Florentine T-bone with bone marrow Find florentine t-bone with bone marrow on TableJourney →
Wine and marrow lock together.
Aged Pecorino with truffle honey
Sweet umami amplifies the wine's cedar.

How to serve Ornellaia

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
Pair with. Rib of beef, dry-aged, Florentine T-bone with bone marrow, Aged Pecorino with truffle honey. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Lodovico Antinori founded Tenuta dell'Ornellaia in 1981; the first Ornellaia vintage was 1985. Frescobaldi acquired full ownership in 2005. Wine Spectator named the 1998 Ornellaia its 2001 Wine of the Year.

1981 — Lodovico Antinori founds the estate
1985 — First Ornellaia vintage
2001 — Wine Spectator names 1998 Ornellaia its Wine of the Year
2005 — Frescobaldi acquires full ownership

Facts

Producer: Tenuta dell'Ornellaia
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (15%), Petit Verdot (5%)
Classification: Bolgheri Superiore DOC
Oak: 18 months in French oak barriques, around 70 percent new
ABV: 14.5%
Price: EUR 200 to 350 at retail
Drinking window: 8 to 25 from vintage
First vintage: 1985

Scores

Wine Spectator 96 (1998 vintage, reviewed 2001)
Wine Advocate 98 (2015 vintage, reviewed 2018)

Frequently asked about Ornellaia

What does Ornellaia taste like?

On the nose, black cherry, cassis, graphite, sweet cedar. On the palate, dark plum, iron, espresso, polished oak. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Lodovico Antinori's Bolgheri Bordeaux-blend, founded 1981. Bolgheri Superiore DOC under Frescobaldi ownership; Wine Spectator Wine of the Year 2001 for the 1998 vintage.

When should I drink Ornellaia?

Drink 8 to 25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Ornellaia?

Rib of beef, dry-aged is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Florentine T-bone with bone marrow and Aged Pecorino with truffle honey. Bolgheri Cabernet structure handles dry-aged beef.

What grapes are in Ornellaia?

The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Merlot (30%), Cabernet Franc (15%), Petit Verdot (5%). The wine is classified as Bolgheri Superiore DOC.

Ornellaia