Tenuta dell´Ornellaia - Ornellaia VdT 2021

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Deep ruby in color, the 2021 Ornellaia has an irresistible nose of violets, cherry cordial, salted caramel, cracked pepper, and fertile soil. The palate is incredibly nuanced, with a beautiful through-line of balletic tannins, freshness, and a finish laced with mulled spices and dark berries. A glass I will not soon forget and an accomplishment to be lauded for the team at Ornellaia. The blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot."

JAMES SUCKLING: "The finesse and depth to this is really impressive, showing brightness and super-integrated, polished and balanced tannins that go on for minutes. Fresh herbs, cherries, currants and a hint of vanilla. Long, almost endless finish. Drink after 2028, but already gorgeous."

WEINWISSER: "Fast schwarz im Glas. Der 2021er Ornellaia ist einer der besten, den ich in den vergangenen Jahren verkostet habe. Im präzise konturierten Duft zeigt er sich sehr elegant mit hoch - reifer, dunkelroter Kirschfrucht, balsamischer Kopfnote; Bleistiftmine und mediterraner Kräuterwürze. Am Gaumen satt und voller Finesse, das super feinsandige Tannin legt sich wunderbar über die klare Frucht, zeigt eine grandiose Balance und Struktur. Selten so finessenreich erlebt."

FALSTAFF: "Leuchtendes, sattes Rubin mit leichtem Violettschimmer. Sehr eindrucksvolle und zugängliche Nase, zeigt Noten nach dunklen Johannisbeeren, dunklen Kirschen und frischen Zwetschgen, dazu würzige Macchiakräuter. Am Gaumen viel feinmaschiges Tannin, das dem Wein Länge und Geschliffenheit verleiht, dunkle Beeren und Tabak, zieht lange dahin."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "A wine that feels like walking into an Italian bar just as the morning is getting started, the steam and heat of the Marzocco, the espresso grinding, the chocolate and jam oozing out of the fresh pastry, a hint of perfume and aftershave from everyone loitering before heading to the office. More welcoming than past Ornellaia—the generosity of spirit is felt. "

WINE SPECTATOR: "An intense red, defined by lively acidity and framed by dense, ripe tannins that showcase its black currant, blackberry, violet and toasty oak aromas and flavors. Iron and wild herb accents emerge as this plays out on the finish. Though expressive at this stage, this youthful version should benefit from time in bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2046. 2,300 cases imported."

DECANTER: "While the summer was hot and dry, with three months of drought, the vines' roots were able to tap water reserves which had been topped up by rainfall the previous winter and spring. Despite the warm growing season, Ornellaia 2021 feels less dense and muscular than vintages of old, offering pretty floral and wild herb perfumes alongside ripe red and black fruit scents. It's intense, fresh and vertical in character, with fine, ripe, round tannins that seem to be a trademark of the vintage – it's a gorgeous, breezy iteration of the Bolgheri benchmark that is already drinking well. The blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon (up from 50% in 2020), 25% Merlot (down from 32%), 15% Cabernet Franc (up from 13%) and 7% Petit Verdot (up from 5%); a carefully considered response from the winemaking team to the increasingly warm summers in the region."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The Ornellaia 2021 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia offers an extra layer of richness, generosity and plushness that shapes a very open-knit and exuberant Tuscan red. The blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. You feel the fruit and oak weight of the wine, the extract and the 15% alcohol content. All of these elements come together to big effect. From that power, you get black cherry, dark fruit, sweet spice and barbecue smoke. The fruit tannins are young, and this edition of Ornellaia proves worthy for medium or long-term drinking, especially as it softens up with more bottle age."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Lustrous, shaded blackish crimson. Sweet, opulent but fresh nose with great appeal and the merest hint of top-quality oak and just little bit of Cabernet leafiness. Refreshing topnotes. On the savoury finish there is just a suggestion of that high alcohol level but overall it leaves an appetising, persistent impression. Very well made."