Tenuta dell' Ornellaia

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia dates back to 1981 - first vintage in 1985. Estate comprises 240 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. There have been several ownership changes since inception; now owned by Marchesi de Frescobaldi.

Presentation by Leonardo Raspini, current the GM at Ornellaia.

• 1998 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

  This is the second wine to the cuvée Ornellaia.
  1998 was a cooler than normal year.
  Saturated dark garnet - amber rim; slightly vegetal aroma, but then comes through with currant fruit; well delineated on the palate - currant fruit - soft tannins; medium finish.

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• 1998 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  80/20 blend of CS and CF. Dark purple ruby; aromas feature dark fruits and some spice; sweet black currant flavors, but has some awkward vegetal as well; modest finish.

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• 2000 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

  Very dark, pink rim; aromas subdued - brought out some currant fruit with coaxing; harsh entry; a lot of tannins which ride over the modest berry fruit; longer finish but the tannins outlast everything else.

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• 2000 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  Similar color, but perhaps a shade darker; herbal laced spicy dark fruit in the aromas; round, full entry with upfront fruit - sweet black currant; flavor and texture package quite pleasing; finish is fruit driven - moderate length.

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• 2002 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

  55% of total production. Very dark, pink rim; tidal dried herbs, with berry fruit; fresh entry - sweet; herbal to begin with, then dark berry fruit; moderate finish - no unattractive elements.

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• 2002 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  65% CS, 30% M, 5% PV. Similar color; soft fruit driven aromas; on the palate some weakness in concentration; sweet currant fruit - quite fresh; nice weight, velvety texture; finishes long - harmonious.

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• 2004 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

  45%M, 35%CS, 15% CF, 3%PV, 2% Malbec.
  Purple back - dense; good weight on swirling; dry herbs more integrated in the fruit aromas; full mouthful of black currant flavors; more harmony and elegance; nice harmonious finish - long with the sweet fruit lingering.

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• 2004 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  60% CS, 35% M, 5% PV. Another black purple color - very small rim; soft harmonious aromas, primarily fruit, but short sniffs brought out the herbaceous notes and the earthy character; round mix of black currants and dark berries; good balance and harmony; maybe lacking a bit in concentration, but a long finish where the fruit carries on and on.

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• 2006 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

  Dark black purple; mix of herbs and fruit aromas; round, full and sweet entry, followed by herbaceous then berry fruit; more acidity; flavors carry through in a long finish.

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• 2006 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  56% CS, 27% M, 12% CF, 5% PV.
  Dark black purple - full to the rim; aromas mellow bark berry fruit - no herbaceous character; pleasing entry - sweet black currants, some spice; exceptional concentration - intense and persistent; extends out to a long finish - harmony. Very very good!

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• 2008 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

  55% M, 45% CS.
  Similar dark purple; herbal aromas but the sweet black currants surface and hold; black currants dominate the flavors; flavors carry out to a long and pleasing finish.

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• 2008 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  54% CS, 27% M, 16% CF, 3% PV. Approx. 75% new oak.
  Extremely dark with hardly any rim - black purple; slight hint of dried herbs on the nose, but predominantly berry fruit; round and supple on the palate; high concentration of black currant fruit; licorice and coffee; some tannins; good acidity; extremely long finish.
  A big wine - great structure and texture. Highly attractive.

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Had some problems grasping the percentages from Leonardo's commentary - fumbling with his notes - changing percentages. He appeared to struggle with some of the questions - perhaps didn't understand. I felt these were minor, however.

What did bother me was that there was no presentation of any of the estate's flagship wine - the Masseto, a Merlot wine of some considerable renown. I fully understood and appreciated what the presentation was about, but some -say 3 vintages - of Masseto would have made for a nice end to this tasting.