Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 1997

Rating: 18/20 - As reviewed by Jancis Robinson Healthy, nuanced crimson with a ruby rim. Open, broad, opulent nose. Extremely ripe. Classic round polished tealeaf bouquet. Some sweetness to this wine. I could be fooled into taking it for a Napa Meritage blend on the nose, but on the palate there is more grip, and a certain graininess of tannins that would, I hope, steer me back to Europe and, with luck, the Maremma. Mouthfilling, very correct and lovely balance.

Rating: 17/20 - As reviewed by Jancis Robinson Anyone who bought this was very clever indeed. This was the first, smallish vintage from most of the vineyards which supply this wine and, as is so often the case, provided superior, super-concentrated fruit. Bright crimson with some evolution at the rim. Fresh, crisp, appetising nose. Definitely ripe and very attractive. Carefully balanced, silky, satiny palate. Extremely seductive texture. Still slightly inky finish but extremely impressive. Very slight hint of rusty nails at the end.

IWC 93 (8/2000): Deep blackish-ruby. Focused, penetrating aromas of caramel, chocolate, plum and vanilla. Round and caressing on the palate, sweet and silky; flavors of plum and raspberry. Offers lovely texture and volume on the back half. Very elegant and very long, finishing with classy tannins.

October 2008

"This Tuscan gem is black in color, with complex aromas of black currants, minerals and wet earth. Full- bodied, with lots of tannins, but very polished. Long, long finish...96." WS 7/00.

IWC 91 (10/2004): Bright, youthful red-ruby. Very ripe, complex aromas of black fruits, violet, exotic spices, licorice and humus. Then hugely full and sweet in the mouth, but with a faint greenness. Finishes with big, slightly rustic tannins-less fine-grained than usual for this estate. A classic wine from a hot year in which the ripening came in a rush.

October 2008

In stock limited

February 2009

WA 94 (4/2007): The estate’s 1997 Masseto has developed beautifully over the last few years. It offers a heady combination of super-ripe fruit intermingled with notes of spices, herbs and tobacco. Full-bodied and vibrant, it comes across as packed with fruit, displaying superb length and a long finish framed by the lingering note of sweetness that defines this warm vintage. Despite its open, luxurious personality, there is plenty of structure underneath to support at least another decade of aging. 94/Anticipated maturity: 2007-2017.

October 2008

Rating: 96/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator

Rating: 93/100 - As reviewed by Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar on Jul-00

Rating: 2/5 - As reviewed by Decanter

Rating: 96/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator

Rating: 94/100 - As reviewed by The Wine Advocate in Issue 130

Rating: 91/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 12/15/98

Rating: 94/100 - As reviewed in Wine Advocate # 130 on Aug-00

Rating: 96/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 7/00

Rating: 93/100 - As reviewed in eRobertParker.com # GX on Apr-07

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

Rating: 91/100 - As reviewed by Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar on Sep-04

No written review

October 2007