Ornellaia Ornellaia 2001

Rating: 18/20 - As reviewed by Jancis Robinson Cab Sauv 65%, Merlot 30% Cab Franc 5% French oak (70% new, 30% 1 yr) 18 mths, 12 mths in bottle Inky flattering full and smooth though it does belong more to Bordeaux than to Tuscany! Great freshness - great intensity - great wine. Still very thick and next to Chianti seems almost heavy.

Rating: 18/20 - As reviewed by Jancis Robinson Very dark crimson. More minerality than many and some freshness too (cf 2000 and 1997). Neat and intense but still very youthful. Vibrates with all the elements in there -including that fine stoniness. 14.5% CS:M:CF 65:30:5 153,000 bottles

Rating: 18/20 - As reviewed by Jancis Robinson Much more maroon notes than the still blueish Chilean wine. Very sophisticated complex nose. Dense, savoury, lively. Intense. Much more Bordeaux-like build. Dry, sandy tannins but great complex, complete fruit too.

Number 6 on Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2004! The great 2000/1 vintage at Tenuta dell' Ornellaia produced one of the most extraordinary vintage Masseto ever made. The wine is rich with profound depth. The aromas, which continue to evolve, remind us of the complexity of the grapes at harvest. The tannins are exceptionally rich and literally fill the palate indicating a magnificent aging potential. 100% Merlot.

The super-finessed 2001 Ornellaia (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc) opens with a deeply expressive nose. It is a concentrated, full-bodied effort. The appearance of tobacco and licorice suggest that this wine is entering the

January 2009

Upon opening had a beautiful nose of pure ripe berry and cassis fruit. Layered and focused on the nose. A young pup. Tight and unyielding in the mouth. This was at 6:00 PM. As I sit here now a transformation has begun. The nose has sweet tobacco, earth, mineral, brambly blackberries and some cassis fruit. Very Bordeaux-like. The palate is focused and almost pointy with lush tannin-laced red fruits. Soft and very concentrated in the mouth with just so much baby fat fruit. Fine grainy-like tannins and a long finish. Clearly too young but a great Ornellaia with a nice future. If I had one complaint there read more...was some heat that still has not gone away.    (hide)

April 2005

Actually cracked this open when I had some Italian food and thought it was good, but not great. I didn't finish it since it was late on a Sunday evening (I simply re-corked for the next night). BUT, boy was this thing was great on Monday afternoon - I guess it needed a bit more breathing than I allowed on Day 1.

July 2008

"Incredible class here, with ultrafine tannins and layers of currants, berries and lightly toasted oak. Full-bodied, yet all in harmony and beauty. Beautifully sculptured. Excellent length...clearly classic...95." WS 8/04.

($150) Deep purple color. Cabernet Franc dominant on the nose with peppers, leather, minimal fruit. Concentrated Bordeaux Blend, though obvious international influence. On the palate intense tannins, chocolate, dark fruit. Very young, but enjoyable nevertheless

January 2005

No written review

March 2009

Rating: 90/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 10/15/03

Rating: 87/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 152 on Apr-04

Rating: 94(+?) - As reviewed by Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar on Sep-04

Rating: 94/100 - As reviewed in eRobertParker.com # GX on Apr-07

Rating: 87/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 10/15/03

Rating: 95/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator

Rating: 100/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator

Rating: 98/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 164 on Apr-06

Rating: 97/100 - As reviewed in eRobertParker.com # GX on Apr-07

Rating: 96/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 164 on Apr-06

Rating: 95/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 8/04

No written review

December 2008

No written review

December 2008

No written review

November 2007

No written review

February 2009

No written review

October 2008

No written review

February 2009

No written review

December 2008

Rating: 88/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 152 on Apr-04