2011 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Ornellaia

Fully saturated ruby. Reticent aromas of deep black fruits and spices complemented by menthol, grilled herbs and vanillin oak. Dense, sweet and powerful but still quite primary, conveying a distinctly high pitch to its ripe black cherry, violet and coffee flavors. Finishes saline, tannic and very long, with impressive muscle and noteworthy medicinal reserve. A huge but very successful Ornellaia that I would have scored even higher had it showed even more length. -- Ian D'Agata Review Date: December 2014

The 2011 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia lives up to the legacy of this important wine, thanks to its extreme intensity and its skillfully crafted bouquet. The excellent quality of fruit stands clear, despite the heat of the vintage, with pristine notes of dark cherry, exotic spice and chocolate. This expression of Ornellaia is composed of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. The results are nothing short of exuberant and this vintage will reward both those who decided to drink it early, as well as those who have the patience to wait. The only slight ruffle in this otherwise gorgeous presentation is the 2011 tannin that feels a touch aggressive. For that reason, its probably better to put the wine aside in your cellar. Review Date: October 2014