Opaque purple with some dried herbs and dark berries on the nose. Concentrated black fruit led to a spicy, acidic finish. Wish we had decanted this one a bit more, as the fruit and tannins began to mellow after a couple of hours. Was pleasing to much of the crowd, but I was left expecting a little more from this, more bitter than I generally prefer. Eucalyptus, sandalwood, anise, licorice, red currants and green pepper on the palate. Would love to have a comparison tasting of a different vintage.
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Salon Ficofi Paris walkabout tasting and dinner, no detailed tasting notes. From DMG. Of all the aia Super Tuscans, I liked this the best. It had good balance, was not too massive with lovely tertiary notes.
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Dunkelrot, fast schwarze Farbe. Nase anfangs noch unaufgeregt: etwas Leder und Gewürze, Hauch Marmelade. Am Gaumen platzt dann die Bombe: Tabak, Pflaume, erdige Nuancen und ein Finish ohne Ende. Zweifelsfrei ein großer Wein, der sich überraschend frisch gehalten hat. Sicherlich noch einige gute Jahre vor sich. Nach einer Stunde zeigte sich die Flasche viel zugänglicher. Klare Empfehlung vorher zu dekantieren. Für mich ist der 08er Ornellaia direkt in die Top 3 der Rotweine eingestiegen.
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Ornellaia Dinner (Stefani Prime - Lincolnwood IL): Double blind in what turned out to be an Ornellaia vertical, which I correctly identified as an Italian Bordeaux blend. Rich and very concentrated from start-to-finish with lots of currant and cassis, supplemented with wonderful spice. Very good length. Upside from here.
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Opened for two hours, put the cork back in and took to one of our nearby Italian BYOB's where they decanted it for us and we slowly consumed over the next two hours. Dark fruit on the nose. The palate was blackberry, tobacco, dried herbs and a hint of white toast. The finish was long and smooth.
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Very open fleshy and ripe. Felt too ripe initially. Had to cool it down to 18degrees, and some of the heat blew off after an hour then it became more sedate and balanced and wonderful.
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Fantastic Italian red blend! Superb to drink after opening a couple of hours before drinking. One of the best red wine drank, tasting some oak, blackberries and little vanilla and some tobacco.
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Tasted with Ducru Beaucaillou same year; Ornellaia really good with spices - DB more classic Bordeaux, rounded, pleasant; divided “votes” in the party in terms of which they liked best
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Ripe fruits and tobacco in the nose, together with some herbs. The palate of tastes, has an immense depth. This depth goes together with a lot of tannins, tannins who are powerful but fine at the end. The 2008 is a beautiful Ornellaia vintage.
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TNs from day 3. Ripe black fruit, herbal/Italian garrique, euclyptus, coffee/chocolate and hint of leather. Def into its peak drinking window with considerable bricking and complex tertiary flavours. Super smooth tannins and long long finish.
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Good bottle. Structure from start to finish. Super smooth and velvety. Don't think it worth the high $$$ though. Thankfully got this on sale 13 years ago.
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With Beef Wellington…my last bottle. Very Dark in color and great nose of cigarbox and mature sweet fruit. A Bordeaux Blend on steroider. With Peter T. ( again )
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Super produit très typique de l'appellation et directement en lien avec la grande historique de la maison. Cette bouteille a probablement passé son apogée puisqu'elle avait une certaine épaisseur qui démontre l'âge et le niveau de dépôt était hélas très grand, ce qui enlève beaucoup à l'expérience. Sinon superbe tannins doux et longs, belles notes d'anis et de mûres, finale sur le cuir et poussière de calcaire, très agréable malgré les petits désagréments.
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Rich, dense and young. Like a ripe right bank Bordeaux with some cinnamon notes to give you a hint of its Tuscan origin Undeniable quality and just into its drinking window.peak in 4 to 6 years? Easily into >95 into maturity.
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It is incredible how young this bottle still is. Very dark color and incredibly rough tannins. Note of honey when opening the bottle. After two hours in the decanter an explosion of flavors. Red fruit, spicy component, roses and Mediterranean scrub (olive grove, rosemary, sage and herbs), the latter very intense in the mouth. Very long finish with a fresh touch (mentholated or honey?). Alcoholic component still very strong, marked acidity. Scary aging potential for this wine.
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Decanted for 2 hours , and this wine did not disappoint. Bold aromas and flavors of black cherries, blackberries, coffee and licorice. Also noted violets and blueberry pie aromas. Balanced with silky tannins and a very long finish. Highly recommend!
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Bu en compagnie de Claude pour son anniveraire. Décanté 1 hre. Belle robe pourpre. Nez initialement un peu calme, mais il s'est bien ouvert ensuite: cerise, pruneaux, tomate, basilic. En bouche, c'est ample mais avec des tannins encore un peu serrés. Cerise de terre, foin, anis. Longue finale. Vraiment bon :-)
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Decanted for 1-2h at Garth’s party, and enjoyed head to head with ‘08 tignanello and ‘08 guado al Tasso. This ornellaia was hands down my WOTN. Opulent earthy nose plenty of minerals; on the palate vibrant red fruit, more minerals, fondant, chocolate, gravel, and a long long finish.
Lovely mature and robust wine. Still quite opulent but perhaps drying out slightly. Best after 2 hours in the decanter. Full bodied cabernet in a new world style.
Aromas of black cherries, coffee, chocolate and blackberries followed by a complex array of black fruit flavors, dominated by plum and blackberry flavors, integrated with licorice and milk chocolate. Silky tannins make the finish last a good 20 seconds.
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Drank over 2 nights. The wine was garnet with a brick red around the rim, showing its age. There was still dried cherry and dried plum fruit, but it was much more subtle and allowed the earth and dried herb flavors to shine through. The tannins have softened and the acid is there, but tame. It drank beautifully, even better the 2nd night than the first. So well balanced, and absolutely lovely with our spaghetti bolognese.
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What a happy surprise. Big aromatics of dark fruit and light oak, followed by a complex assortment of dark cherries, blackberries, chocolate and a long smooth finish. Unfortunately , it was my only bottle, but I will certainly search for more!
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Side by side tasting of 2008 Ornellaia, Sassicaia and Solaia paired with meal of braised short ribs at dinner party of 8. Wines were decanted for 3 hours. All three were very good, but the Ornellaia came out on top for majority, followed by Sassicaia. The Ornellaia was full bodied, balanced with layers of intricate flavors that were striking when tasted alone, and exploded when paired with the food. Cant get much better than this!
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Brought with us to Cafe L’Europe at St. Armand’s, Sarasota ($25 corkage) to celebrate Kerry’s birthday. Gave this almost an hour in the decanter before trying. Still a youthful-looking, semi-opaque magenta in color, right up to the edge of the glass. Pretty aromas of Asian spice, crushed dark fruits and earth on the nose. Full-bodied and velvety in texture, yet still somewhat elegant. Offers plenty of ripe, tangy blackberry, plum and dark currant fruit, with good depth and intensity. Never seemed to open fully on the mid-palate, though. Finishes long, with fine-grained tannins that are well-integrated. Outstanding and very enjoyable, but lacks the spectacular depth and length of other vintages. The 15% ABV unfortunately shows on the finish. This is by far the lowest score I have ever given an Ornellaia. 50+5+12+16+8=91
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Decanted for an hour and drank over the next 2. Black cherry, raspberry, blackberry and mild chocolate with layers of licorice and coffee. A full-bodied beauty that will continue to evolve in the bottle IMHO. The finish had some power yet was smoothe as silk. Questo è il mio vino rosso preferito dall’Italia!
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Superb showing of this fabulous wine once again. Loads of fruit and acids with great complexity. Nose shows off plenty of spices, roses and red fruit. Nice complex juicy palate, cherries, plums, anis, herbs and a bit of tobacco. Nice plush tannins with an ending to goes on and on with a bit of a menthol hint on the back end, truly incredible and will continue to age with grace.
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Il s'agit d'une demie-bouteille. Au nez, le vin sentait un peu la truffe et les fruits noirs. Une couleur qui commence à arriver sur le orangée, mais encore violet. En bouche, le vin était opulent avec une belle acidité. Les tannins sont encore présents, mais avec une équilibre. En finale, le vin possède une finale persistante avec un petit goût quelque peu désagréable en bouche. Bref, c'est un bon vin, mais je m'attendais à mieux. Le Flaccienello et le Tignanello m'en donne plus pour la moitié du prix.
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Full of power yet smooth tannins. Black current, licorice leather on nose and palate. Long after taste. Ready to drink now but can take another 5+ years as well.
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Very bitter tannins, even after 3 hour decant. Nose had some green and fruit https://www.cellartracker.com/popup/tasting_note_assist.aspon it but all-in-all undrunkable
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Opened and decanted for 45 minutes before drinking. This wines bouquet came across as heavily earthy, and perhaps uninviting? The taste was very similar to the bouquet, you could tell is wasn’t a simple wine, or a low priced wine, however it’s complexity and flavour were not something I would want to drink again. Perhaps 08 wasn’t the greatest year? Definitely strong earth, herb, and mushroom notes to this wine on all fronts. All in all definitely not worth the price, uninviting, earthy, tar and leather, with subtle hints of green ivy in the undertones.
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Wow!! Off the charts bottle of wine that does justice to the brand. Rich, succulent, balanced with a perfect balance of grip and finesse. Surprisingly approachable after one to two hour decant. A wine to be savoured and appreciated over the course of an evening. Worth every penny.
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2017 New York Wine Experience Trip; 10/16/2017-10/25/2017 (New York City, NY): The '08 version of Ornellaia is an opaque ruby blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, aged for 20 months in French oak (70% new). On the nose, it offers aromas of black currants, dark plums, espresso, hazelnuts and tobacco. Full-bodied, fresh and with nicely integrated alcohol, it delivers flavors mirroring the nose in a milieu of grippy tannins and creamy oak. The middle palate and finish are impressive, but there is still some grip on the back end that will require time to dissipate. This is also the case for the wine's oak. Patience will be rewarded here. Drink 2021-2035.
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Decanted in Vicenza at Il Ceppo. This opened beautifully with hot cherry cordials, oak, violets on the nose. The palate is monolithic black cherries, oak and soft tannins on the finish. This is super classy, silky, and a pure treat paired with thick spaghetti and duck sauce, followed by a course of seared tuna covered with sesame seeds and garnished with lingonberries. With an hour in the decanter the tannins softened and more graphitic earthy flavors emerged in the wine.
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We enjoyed it with duck a l'orange, porcini mushroom risotto and savory.
Nose was medium expressive. Sweet but available tannins predict a long life.
Everybody was enjoying the Ornellaia. However, I found it very well done, high class, but a bit boring. Had no 'wow' factor, except when sniffing it in the decanter. Probably a bit laid back.
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54% Cabernet, 27 % Merlot, 16% Cab.Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 20m em barricas novas de carvalho (12 antes e 6 depois da “mistura”). Vermelho profundo, reflexos violáceos. Austero, fechado, abre-se aos poucos em frutas negras bem maduras tendendo ao licorado, seguidas de alcaçuz, chocolate ao leite, toques herbáceos de ervas e arbustos mediterrâneos, especiarias doces, baunilha, couro e um leve canforado, com a madeira bem presente. Fruto de uma safra de baixo rendimento, mas alta concentração. Corpulento, cheio de matéria (algo mais extraído que o 2006), acidez média (algo menor que o 2006), com profusos taninos em giz e de ótima qualidade, escondidos por trás da fruta, desfilando grande equilíbrio e solidez. Final caudaloso, longo, excede os 40 seg. Com caças de pelo como um Costolette d´agnello bem executado. Para longa guarda.
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Very fine showing from the 2008 Ornellaia. Nose showed cool fruit, deep, with cherries and fine Bolgheri profile. Fine Tuscan herbs and dust, with expensive oak in just the right amount, dusty earth, touch of coffee and fine red fruit. Palate is deep and balanced, with high acidity, blue and red fruit, allot of cherries, fine tannins and grip. Young and undeveloped, but drinking beautiful already. Very fine Ornellaia indeed. (93 – 95)
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Not sure if the previous 2 posters had flawed bottles, but today this wine is elegant, rich, and decadent. Splash decanted and let sit for 45 minutes then transferred back to bottle. Drank from a Spiegelau Adina Bordeaux glass. Very refined nose of blueberry and Tahitian vanilla in a very understated manner. Nice and rich dark fruits coat the palate. Still considerable tannic grip because it is a tad early on this wine. Good lasting finish of 30 seconds with accents of cocoa. Rated on its potential in 5-7 years which could easily merit a 95-96. Head and shoulders above Sasi!
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Surprisingly almost undrinkable at this point. Very rough, alcohol present, highly tannic and acidic. Very surprising. Decanted for 3 hours with almost no improvement. Will wait a few more years before opening another.
Blind December Lunch (Lupo): Tasted blind. Italian merlot? A big wine with richer fruit and quite expansive on the palate. Very young and perhaps difficult to judge, but this didn't do too much for me.
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Popped and drank 1 hour later without a decant. DARK! Huge nose. Big flavor and mouth feel. Dirty blueberry flavor with faint black cherry aftertaste. This was very good, but I remember liking the 2006 better. Well liked by the other tasters as well.
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This was fantastic. Teeth staining rich, layer upon layer of beautiful fruit. So well balanced. Bordeaux blend but very Tuscan style and flavors. A wine I could never get tired of drinking.
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Pronounced nose of chocolate, black cherry, plum, floral, vanilla, toast, herb, spice, mint/menthol, tobacco. High acid, high tannin, on the palate notes of chocolate, black currant, plum, cherry, herb, spice, espresso. Super young, needs some years to integrate tannin and develop some flavors. Fantastic wine though.
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Lovely wine. Rich, deep colour with flavours to match. Very Bordeaux-like in ways; perhaps richer in terms of fruit but with less complexity, for now at least. Drinking well now after decanting but it has a long life head of it.
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A character very similar to 2007; Stunning wine in a modern and somewhat international frame. Almost as if coming from Napa. This vintage getting the nod as the superior one of the two.
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drank it July 2012 with Tignaello 2000 (92) and Tiganello 1990 (93), red berries, forrest ground, some wood and vanilla, decanted two hours before, still primary fruits, crispy fresh acidity, fullbodied, nice ripe tannins, fine-grained and firm, next bottle in 5 years, just to see the deveplopment, 20 years ahead a baby, 95+ (50+5+14+18+8), we will see where the journey is going to
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drank it 30/10/2011 at brandini koblenz, tight, ripe and fine tannins, fullbodied, red berries, wood, powerful, good acidity to carry this wine the 20 years, modern style but elegant, cassis at his best, 94-97
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nose - cassis, charcoal mouth - tight and tannic, big bold fruit. good quality here but early still. hold for 5+ years. how to know how this will evolve
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Le vin est grenat presque noir. Le nez, profond offre fruits noirs, épices, café, chocolat, graphite et bois de cèdre. En bouche, le fruit (mûres, bleuets dans le chocolat) cohabite avec une bonne dose d’épices, de cèdre, une pointe métallique / graphite, dans un ensemble structuré et tellement long ou parfois une pointe d’alcool est perceptible. Appréciable si on considère la jeunesse de ce qui est dans le verre. Superbe sans être grand à ce stade-ci. Bu d’une demie question de voir comment se comporte un super-toscan (une première pour moi).
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Classic left bank bordeaux style with notes of cassis, plum, mocca, licorice, slate and cedar. The wood is still a little obvious and needs time to integrate. However, the structure is amazing. The wine just needs another 3-4 years in the cellar to reveal the full potential.
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Served right from a magnum on a hot and somewhat humid night. The first bottle was drop-dead gorgeous, integrating already though will clearly benefit from age. Notes of tar, coffee and cassis joined together with velvety tannins. Lush and giving. By the time we had the second bottle, conditions seemed to shut it down a bit, adding a slightly acidic note. All in all a great performance from a wine that merit 2 or more points down the line.
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Wine Aficionados Tasting - Westchester Wine School (Mamaroneck, NY): Drank at Ned's best tasting this year with the WWS 'elite' tasters. This was my #2 fave of the nite, and I think the overall crowd favorite of the 13+ wines consumed--and we had many fine wines at this tasting--see my other notes from this date. I've had this wine now for the 3rd yr in a row and it's getting better each time I taste it. Beautiful dark plummy color. Nose of plums and black currant, as well as the wood that's still there, though fading with time. Fairly well-extracted, though not overdone--this is no Parker fruit bomb--mostly dark fruits on the palate, cassis, plums, blackberries, some leather, soft tannins that are smoothing out nicely, good complexity. The oak is still there and noticeable but the wine's still young, and its elements seem to be integrating well with time. I loved this wine at a Frescobaldi tasting last year, drinking it with winemaker Axel, and commented then how it had evolved since the year before. It's still evolving, and getting better. A very lovely wine; I hope to have the oppty to drink it again in 2014.
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Decanted 1.5 hours. Great dark purple color. Nose is as close to a Bordeaux first growth as it gets. WOW! Green pepper, pepper, vanilla, some mint and a little oak on the nose. So similar to 03 Latour it is amazing. Black licorice all day great mouth feel almost chewy, some sea salt coming through. Great balance. Great big flavor. I will buy another if I can find. Great wine. This wine has serious years to go.
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Another superb vintage from Ornellaia, a powerful yet elegant wine with aromas of bitter chocolate, tea, leather, plums and violets, with oak still evident but integrated, with massive tannins hidden behind sweet ripe fruit and rich extract. Very young.
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Purple with a forward and very intense nose showing fried bacon, cassis and blackberries along spicy and oaky aromas. Highlighted oak but adequatly supported by fruit. Big and rich on palate packed with firm tannins, balancing acidity that lead to a very long finish. Very juicy and fluid. Great potential.
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(Tenuta dell' Ornellaia vertical by Oenocosmos) Dense purple color with equally thick and complex nose (very different from the 2009), more typical with coffee, oak, leather (?), more typical Italian scents. Full in the body as well, powerful acidity, solid fruit base, oak hits back again, very concentrated with a long aftertate. As it seems this was the wine of the event for everyone (though I prefer the '09)
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Ornellaia Tasting organized by Oenocosmos (Vezenes Restaurant, Athens, Greece): WOTY for almost everyone. Ornelleia at its best! Explosive and complex nose of melted licorice, plum, cherry, noble meaty scents and sweet spice. Full-bodied with firm but fine-grained tannins of excellent quality, rich, generous fruit, round, perfectly balanced despite its youth and multy-layered. Very long aftertaste. Majestic.
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Tasted at the 2012 Voyager Estate Masterclass, Taxi Dining Room, Melbourne. Big and bold. Big, rich cassis, blueberries, cedar. Quite tannic on the finish Full body, full flavoured. Still very young but a great future ahead.
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Italian wine tasting (Watson's, Hong Kong): Amazing colour - purple with rim. Spicy blackcurrant on nose, smooth and fairly full-bodied. Coats the mouth. Some oak evident still - needs time. Quite refined in balance though - one to watch.
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A big, serious wine. Nose of blueberry jam, violet, hints of strawberry, jasmine and vanilla smoke. Huge mouth presence with teeth coating tannins. Immense structure under polished fruit. 15% alcohol but doesn't taste like it. But very heady; shared a bottle with Ken but felt like I drank a whole bottle. There is little doubt this wine would be great in twenty years time.
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Comme le Sassicaia 2008 bu en même temps, il a été debout pour quelques jour et ouvert pour rapide passage en carafe le jour d’avant sans reboucher…remis en carafe pour un bon 2 heures et bu sur +/- 2 heures pendant et après le repas!
L’œil : Un rouge rubis foncé avec des reflets pourpres. Le nez : C’est assez intense, surtout des herbes et beaucoup de cerises à l’eau de vie avec une pointe de chocolat et des prunes! La bouche : C’est rond, ample et puissant mais tout de même assez équilibré! Des saveurs intenses de mures avec de l’anis, du chocolat et une touche de graphite, il y a beaucoup de mâche. Les tannins sont serrés et charnus, légèrement asséchants en ce moment! La finale est hyper longue et persiste longtemps sur des relents de cèdre! On a ici un « GROS » vin, encore joufflu et juvénile en ce moment mais avec une structure imposante qui laisse présager une très longue garde.
Moins approchable que le Sassicaia 2008, un registre différent mais c’est tout de même très bon et attrayant en ce moment!
Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 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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Drank at Ornellaia tasting yesterday with the wine maker and Frescobaldi guys. I tasted this wine at last year's event and it was hard to approach. The wine is in a far better place this year than last, showing far more balance, better balance between the ample fruit and strong tannins, with great mouth feel. I drank this wine with the 2009, which was just introduced at this tasting and was I guess the 'guest of honor', and the 2005, 2006 and 2007. The 08 was by far, the most accessible and certainly in the best place compared to these other wines on this day
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Hard to get to right now behind, with the fruit trapped in a bunker of cosmic tannins most noticeable on the finish. Balance is excellent however (one diner described it as "fresh") and provided this wine gets a chance to age gracefully it should develop into succulent and well rounded Ornellaia. Not sure the quality will ever rival the triumphant triumverate of 2001/2004/2006 but it's no turkey. However this turns out it's going to be another 2 or 3 years before we get a real indication of quality. Very bold fruit in evidence with all the signature richness of Ornellaia. Of course you should hold these at the moment but an interesting exercise of a wine in bottle for just 12 months. Not much point putting a score to this but I'm generally of a mind with Galvezguy that somewhere in the 91-93 range is likely. My only concern is that this retains the balance as it matures - currently it's ooh lovely fruit followed by mouth-puckering structure. If the fruit holds up it could even go higher
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Dallas Offline - Great Hosts (Nice Italian Place - Name Undisclosed): Not scored too painfully young. Nose is a bit walled off but I get black fruit, leather and a whallop of spicy oak. On the palate, black plum, black currant, spice, vanilla. Finishes with great balance but the wall of tannins blocks everything else out. Hold for at least five years. Impressive, gut impression 92-94.
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This wine has been on a roll in recent vintages. Deep, sexy, round profile of dark, chocolatey fruits. Graphite. Very forward and ripe, but still classy. Very nice.
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Sassicaia and Ornellaia Masterclass at Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (Landmark Hotel, London): Deep red colour, almost purple notes. Very ripe dark berries in the nose, hints of tar, spice, cedar, chocolcate, som eucalyptus. Concentrated and serious nose with well handled but noticeable oak, comes across as a serious "New World style". On the palate ripe dark berries, blackcurrants, slightly sweetish attack, noticeable tannins of the polished kind, mint, very faint hints of alcoholic fire. Young, but after all rather accesible. 92-93 p? What will happen to the fiery element with cellaring? I see a potential for a higher score if it integrates, but it is difficult to judge if that will happen.
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Decanter Sassicaia & Ornellaia Masterclass (Landmark Hotel London): Dark almost opaque ruby core with a garnet rim. Very focused nose - deep ripe fruit, sweet and inky. Oak notes and sweet spice, also black raisins. Texture is velvety smooth, melted licorice, concentrated sweet spice and cassis. Opulent and graceful. Structure is masked behind the ripeness of fruit but definitely this is a wine for the long run.
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Lcbo tasting. I get a little confected liquor nose that was unpleasant. Almost a little port like. But in the mouth this was stunning. More body and concentration than 2008 Tig alongside. Mouth coating and spicy, enough tannin to hide these away for 5 or 6 years before you start looking at them. 93+
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At Ornellaia - Awesome nose - powerful and elegant. Very similar to Nuove but the Cabernet is more dominant on the nose with casis, black current, fig eucalyptus, cedar wood, sandalwood and dark chocolate. Great finish and very drinkable now but powerful enough to hang around for a while.
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Solid framework with really intense tannins and a ton of oak. The fruit is bright and pure. Once this gets settled it will be amazing. Drink 2015 - 2030. Outstanding Quality. 93 pts.
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3/16/2024 - MagicInABottle Likes this wine: 90 Points
Opaque purple with some dried herbs and dark berries on the nose. Concentrated black fruit led to a spicy, acidic finish. Wish we had decanted this one a bit more, as the fruit and tannins began to mellow after a couple of hours. Was pleasing to much of the crowd, but I was left expecting a little more from this, more bitter than I generally prefer. Eucalyptus, sandalwood, anise, licorice, red currants and green pepper on the palate. Would love to have a comparison tasting of a different vintage.
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12/13/2023 - Collector1855 wrote: 95 Points
Salon Ficofi Paris walkabout tasting and dinner, no detailed tasting notes. From DMG. Of all the aia Super Tuscans, I liked this the best. It had good balance, was not too massive with lovely tertiary notes.
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12/6/2023 - Realityrichard Likes this wine: 95 Points
Dunkelrot, fast schwarze Farbe. Nase anfangs noch unaufgeregt: etwas Leder und Gewürze, Hauch
Marmelade. Am Gaumen platzt dann die Bombe: Tabak, Pflaume, erdige Nuancen und ein Finish ohne Ende. Zweifelsfrei ein großer Wein, der sich überraschend frisch gehalten hat. Sicherlich noch einige gute Jahre vor sich. Nach einer Stunde zeigte sich die Flasche viel zugänglicher. Klare Empfehlung vorher zu dekantieren. Für mich ist der 08er Ornellaia direkt in die Top 3 der Rotweine eingestiegen.
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11/27/2023 - Rani Does not like this wine: 87 Points
A technically well-made wine but one-dimensional and bitter. Too young by quite a few years.
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8/1/2023 - Burgundy Al wrote: 94 Points
Ornellaia Dinner (Stefani Prime - Lincolnwood IL): Double blind in what turned out to be an Ornellaia vertical, which I correctly identified as an Italian Bordeaux blend. Rich and very concentrated from start-to-finish with lots of currant and cassis, supplemented with wonderful spice. Very good length. Upside from here.
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4/13/2023 - markcic Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened for two hours, put the cork back in and took to one of our nearby Italian BYOB's where they decanted it for us and we slowly consumed over the next two hours. Dark fruit on the nose. The palate was blackberry, tobacco, dried herbs and a hint of white toast. The finish was long and smooth.
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4/9/2023 - Marcus Vin Rouge wrote: 96 Points
Beautifully balanced, at peak I would say. Need decanting about an hour.
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3/5/2023 - jmoon Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very open fleshy and ripe. Felt too ripe initially. Had to cool it down to 18degrees, and some of the heat blew off after an hour then it became more sedate and balanced and wonderful.
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2/4/2023 - llavoe Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fabulous.
Decanted for 90 minutes.
Very well balanced.
Light sediment.
Still has lots of life ahead of it after almost 15 years of age.
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1/2/2023 - dettwima Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fantastic Italian red blend! Superb to drink after opening a couple of hours before drinking. One of the best red wine drank, tasting some oak, blackberries and little vanilla and some tobacco.
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10/29/2022 - Miceri Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasted with Ducru Beaucaillou same year; Ornellaia really good with spices - DB more classic Bordeaux, rounded, pleasant; divided “votes” in the party in terms of which they liked best
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9/28/2022 - RayOB wrote: 94 Points
Drank in London
Classic super tuscan, delicious
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8/30/2022 - Nicolas Beirens Likes this wine: 96 Points
Ripe fruits and tobacco in the nose, together with some herbs. The palate of tastes, has an immense depth. This depth goes together with a lot of tannins, tannins who are powerful but fine at the end.
The 2008 is a beautiful Ornellaia vintage.
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7/3/2022 - ianprimrose wrote: 93 Points
TNs from day 3. Ripe black fruit, herbal/Italian garrique, euclyptus, coffee/chocolate and hint of leather. Def into its peak drinking window with considerable bricking and complex tertiary flavours. Super smooth tannins and long long finish.
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6/11/2022 - MemorialWineFan wrote: 92 Points
Good bottle. Structure from start to finish. Super smooth and velvety. Don't think it worth the high $$$ though. Thankfully got this on sale 13 years ago.
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4/13/2022 - carstenf wrote: 93 Points
With Beef Wellington…my last bottle. Very Dark in color and great nose of cigarbox and mature sweet fruit. A Bordeaux Blend on steroider. With Peter T. ( again )
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2/17/2022 - MatVino2014 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Super produit très typique de l'appellation et directement en lien avec la grande historique de la maison. Cette bouteille a probablement passé son apogée puisqu'elle avait une certaine épaisseur qui démontre l'âge et le niveau de dépôt était hélas très grand, ce qui enlève beaucoup à l'expérience. Sinon superbe tannins doux et longs, belles notes d'anis et de mûres, finale sur le cuir et poussière de calcaire, très agréable malgré les petits désagréments.
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11/23/2021 - joshabramson Likes this wine: 93 Points
Big, ripe and bold. Not holding much back, but tasty and drinking well if that's what you're looking for.
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9/24/2021 - Andice wrote: 94 Points
Rich, dense and young. Like a ripe right bank Bordeaux with some cinnamon notes to give you a hint of its Tuscan origin
Undeniable quality and just into its drinking window.peak in 4 to 6 years? Easily into >95 into maturity.
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8/21/2021 - phgnan wrote: 94 Points
It is incredible how young this bottle still is. Very dark color and incredibly rough tannins. Note of honey when opening the bottle. After two hours in the decanter an explosion of flavors. Red fruit, spicy component, roses and Mediterranean scrub (olive grove, rosemary, sage and herbs), the latter very intense in the mouth. Very long finish with a fresh touch (mentholated or honey?). Alcoholic component still very strong, marked acidity. Scary aging potential for this wine.
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8/14/2021 - jcampano Likes this wine: 98 Points
Decanted for 2 hours , and this wine did not disappoint. Bold aromas and flavors of black cherries, blackberries, coffee and licorice. Also noted violets and blueberry pie aromas. Balanced with silky tannins and a very long finish. Highly recommend!
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8/4/2021 - FrancoisD Likes this wine: 95 Points
Bu en compagnie de Claude pour son anniveraire.
Décanté 1 hre.
Belle robe pourpre.
Nez initialement un peu calme, mais il s'est bien ouvert ensuite: cerise, pruneaux, tomate, basilic.
En bouche, c'est ample mais avec des tannins encore un peu serrés. Cerise de terre, foin, anis. Longue finale.
Vraiment bon :-)
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7/31/2021 - obmoen wrote: 93 Points
Kaffe, sypress, solbær, kjølig inngang, svært ren frukt, fin kurve, balansert på tross av noe søtlig finnish (15%)
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7/12/2021 - skurtz Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for 1-2h at Garth’s party, and enjoyed head to head with ‘08 tignanello and ‘08 guado al Tasso. This ornellaia was hands down my WOTN. Opulent earthy nose plenty of minerals; on the palate vibrant red fruit, more minerals, fondant, chocolate, gravel, and a long long finish.
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6/8/2021 - Fuel55 wrote: 93 Points
Lovely mature and robust wine. Still quite opulent but perhaps drying out slightly. Best after 2 hours in the decanter. Full bodied cabernet in a new world style.
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4/21/2021 - LFCHALA Likes this wine: 94 Points
Intense, balanced with many years ahead
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2/21/2021 - carstenf wrote: 93 Points
Agree with other CT , but mine had plenty of sediment. Very fine Bordeaux Blend
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1/5/2021 - Marcus Vin Rouge Likes this wine: 95 Points
Ample sweet dark fruit, liquorice, hint of leather. Nose and palate in sync. Drink well now but can take additional 5-10 years.
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12/29/2020 - gaschief Likes this wine: 96 Points
Superb aged red. Tasty and excellent flavor. Be sure to decant
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12/25/2020 - jschmittat Likes this wine: 95 Points
Perfect round
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7/23/2020 - carstenf wrote: 95 Points
A really gem. Wonderfull Dark color with tannins but gentle somehow. Cigarbox and mineral.
We loved it...with Peter T.
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5/28/2020 - jcampano Likes this wine: 96 Points
Aromas of black cherries, coffee, chocolate and blackberries followed by a complex array of black fruit flavors, dominated by plum and blackberry flavors, integrated with licorice and milk chocolate. Silky tannins make the finish last a good 20 seconds.
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5/27/2020 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Very good, in its preferred window. Rich, fresh, complex. Drink now or hold. highly recommended
https://www.ItalianWine.blog
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5/11/2020 - Hannahrooski Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank over 2 nights. The wine was garnet with a brick red around the rim, showing its age. There was still dried cherry and dried plum fruit, but it was much more subtle and allowed the earth and dried herb flavors to shine through. The tannins have softened and the acid is there, but tame. It drank beautifully, even better the 2nd night than the first. So well balanced, and absolutely lovely with our spaghetti bolognese.
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5/3/2020 - Mattkrip68 wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Deep color but not heavy tasting. Drank like a Pinot noir. Celebrated our daughters virtual graduation. Beautiful bottle.
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12/25/2019 - fraundor wrote: 91 Points
- Ruby color - nicht von groen Namen blenden lassen - schlechte Form - rh dekantieren dann wirds was - zuerst Geruch nach Teer
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11/25/2019 - AWBryce wrote:
Mix of red and blue fruits, hint of greeness; rich, big tannin and a long finish, but maybe the tannins arent 100% ripe.
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10/31/2019 - wineappellation Likes this wine: 94 Points
Balanced, elegant. Very Bordeaux like. At a good spot now.
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9/16/2019 - kretogo@gmail.com Likes this wine: 96 Points
Enjoyed the wine. Drank it about an hour after I uncorked the bottle. One of my favorites and look forward to tasting another in a year or so.
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4/18/2019 - jcampano Likes this wine: 96 Points
What a happy surprise. Big aromatics of dark fruit and light oak, followed by a complex assortment of dark cherries, blackberries, chocolate and a long smooth finish. Unfortunately , it was my only bottle, but I will certainly search for more!
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3/30/2019 - Kayentacellars wrote: 98 Points
Side by side tasting of 2008 Ornellaia, Sassicaia and Solaia paired with meal of braised short ribs at dinner party of 8. Wines were decanted for 3 hours. All three were very good, but the Ornellaia came out on top for majority, followed by Sassicaia. The Ornellaia was full bodied, balanced with layers of intricate flavors that were striking when tasted alone, and exploded when paired with the food. Cant get much better than this!
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2/12/2019 - Bam_Man Likes this wine: 91 Points
Brought with us to Cafe L’Europe at St. Armand’s, Sarasota ($25 corkage) to celebrate Kerry’s birthday. Gave this almost an hour in the decanter before trying. Still a youthful-looking, semi-opaque magenta in color, right up to the edge of the glass. Pretty aromas of Asian spice, crushed dark fruits and earth on the nose. Full-bodied and velvety in texture, yet still somewhat elegant. Offers plenty of ripe, tangy blackberry, plum and dark currant fruit, with good depth and intensity. Never seemed to open fully on the mid-palate, though. Finishes long, with fine-grained tannins that are well-integrated. Outstanding and very enjoyable, but lacks the spectacular depth and length of other vintages. The 15% ABV unfortunately shows on the finish. This is by far the lowest score I have ever given an Ornellaia.
50+5+12+16+8=91
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1/30/2019 - jcampano Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted for an hour and drank over the next 2. Black cherry, raspberry, blackberry and mild chocolate with layers of licorice and coffee. A full-bodied beauty that will continue to evolve in the bottle IMHO. The finish had some power yet was smoothe as silk. Questo è il mio vino rosso preferito dall’Italia!
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12/29/2018 - jcomm wrote: 98 Points
Superb showing of this fabulous wine once again.
Loads of fruit and acids with great complexity.
Nose shows off plenty of spices, roses and red fruit.
Nice complex juicy palate, cherries, plums,
anis, herbs and a bit of tobacco.
Nice plush tannins with an ending to goes
on and on with a bit of a menthol hint
on the back end, truly incredible and will
continue to age with grace.
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12/1/2018 - soyhead wrote:
nose - blackberry, molasses
mouth - big, dark fruit, olive, rich, tannic and woody. needs much more time to integrate. Hold.
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11/24/2018 - Tradingpiano Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drinking wonderfully. Silky tannins, slight sweetness, and plenty of black currrants with a hint of licorice.
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11/4/2018 - Al-Vino Likes this wine: 97 Points
Outstanding wine that powers on all cylinders.
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8/26/2018 - fraundor wrote: 92 Points
- Garnet color.
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6/24/2018 - ti_ric Likes this wine: 91 Points
Il s'agit d'une demie-bouteille. Au nez, le vin sentait un peu la truffe et les fruits noirs. Une couleur qui commence à arriver sur le orangée, mais encore violet. En bouche, le vin était opulent avec une belle acidité. Les tannins sont encore présents, mais avec une équilibre. En finale, le vin possède une finale persistante avec un petit goût quelque peu désagréable en bouche. Bref, c'est un bon vin, mais je m'attendais à mieux. Le Flaccienello et le Tignanello m'en donne plus pour la moitié du prix.
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5/19/2018 - Marcus Vin Rouge Likes this wine: 94 Points
Full of power yet smooth tannins. Black current, licorice leather on nose and palate. Long after taste. Ready to drink now but can take another 5+ years as well.
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4/1/2018 - mchern02 wrote: flawed
Not up to snuff - maybe just a bad bottle.
Very bitter tannins, even after 3 hour decant. Nose had some green and fruit https://www.cellartracker.com/popup/tasting_note_assist.aspon it but all-in-all undrunkable
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3/26/2018 - J.S Does not like this wine: 90 Points
Opened and decanted for 45 minutes before drinking.
This wines bouquet came across as heavily earthy, and perhaps uninviting?
The taste was very similar to the bouquet, you could tell is wasn’t a simple wine, or a low priced wine, however it’s complexity and flavour were not something I would want to drink again. Perhaps 08 wasn’t the greatest year? Definitely strong earth, herb, and mushroom notes to this wine on all fronts.
All in all definitely not worth the price, uninviting, earthy, tar and leather, with subtle hints of green ivy in the undertones.
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12/9/2017 - Al-Vino Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wow!! Off the charts bottle of wine that does justice to the brand. Rich, succulent, balanced with a perfect balance of grip and finesse. Surprisingly approachable after one to two hour decant. A wine to be savoured and appreciated over the course of an evening. Worth every penny.
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10/29/2017 - strijbosmh Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very powerful but very young. Reminds me of St Juliens Ducru Beaucaillou. Great wine already, but will probably gain 2-3 points the next 5 years.
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10/20/2017 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
2017 New York Wine Experience Trip; 10/16/2017-10/25/2017 (New York City, NY): The '08 version of Ornellaia is an opaque ruby blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, aged for 20 months in French oak (70% new). On the nose, it offers aromas of black currants, dark plums, espresso, hazelnuts and tobacco. Full-bodied, fresh and with nicely integrated alcohol, it delivers flavors mirroring the nose in a milieu of grippy tannins and creamy oak. The middle palate and finish are impressive, but there is still some grip on the back end that will require time to dissipate. This is also the case for the wine's oak. Patience will be rewarded here. Drink 2021-2035.
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10/14/2017 - schirri1 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Mocha, black cherries, dark fruit, liquorice. Big wine. Silky smooth texture.
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6/24/2017 - skurtz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted in Vicenza at Il Ceppo. This opened beautifully with hot cherry cordials, oak, violets on the nose. The palate is monolithic black cherries, oak and soft tannins on the finish. This is super classy, silky, and a pure treat paired with thick spaghetti and duck sauce, followed by a course of seared tuna covered with sesame seeds and garnished with lingonberries. With an hour in the decanter the tannins softened and more graphitic earthy flavors emerged in the wine.
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3/3/2017 - Sirmika Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wonderful silky wine. Perfect balance.
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1/28/2017 - phol wrote: 94 Points
Lots of tannins it takes minimum 4 hours before it starts to settle very nice
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10/21/2016 - _Xenon wrote: 92 Points
We enjoyed it with duck a l'orange, porcini mushroom risotto and savory.
Nose was medium expressive. Sweet but available tannins predict a long life.
Everybody was enjoying the Ornellaia. However, I found it very well done, high class, but a bit boring. Had no 'wow' factor, except when sniffing it in the decanter. Probably a bit laid back.
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5/31/2016 - King JR wrote: 95 Points
Fabulous bottle - much better than the previous one. Great juice.
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4/20/2016 - GGP Likes this wine: 95 Points
54% Cabernet, 27 % Merlot, 16% Cab.Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 20m em barricas novas de carvalho (12 antes e 6 depois da “mistura”). Vermelho profundo, reflexos violáceos. Austero, fechado, abre-se aos poucos em frutas negras bem maduras tendendo ao licorado, seguidas de alcaçuz, chocolate ao leite, toques herbáceos de ervas e arbustos mediterrâneos, especiarias doces, baunilha, couro e um leve canforado, com a madeira bem presente. Fruto de uma safra de baixo rendimento, mas alta concentração. Corpulento, cheio de matéria (algo mais extraído que o 2006), acidez média (algo menor que o 2006), com profusos taninos em giz e de ótima qualidade, escondidos por trás da fruta, desfilando grande equilíbrio e solidez. Final caudaloso, longo, excede os 40 seg. Com caças de pelo como um Costolette d´agnello bem executado. Para longa guarda.
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1/2/2016 - MelroseCellars Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dinner at friend's house. What a great nose to this deep red Bordeaux blend. So smooth on the palate, with an enjoyable lasting finish.
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10/16/2015 - NoTrollingerPlease wrote: 91 Points
Berner Wine fair (cult wine tasting) (Bern,Switzerland): Well, far too young. At the moment a good BDX blend, but nothing special.
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6/10/2015 - Ramberg wrote: 93 Points
Very fine showing from the 2008 Ornellaia.
Nose showed cool fruit, deep, with cherries and fine Bolgheri profile.
Fine Tuscan herbs and dust, with expensive oak in just the right amount, dusty earth, touch of coffee and fine red fruit.
Palate is deep and balanced, with high acidity, blue and red fruit, allot of cherries, fine tannins and grip.
Young and undeveloped, but drinking beautiful already.
Very fine Ornellaia indeed.
(93 – 95)
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3/21/2015 - drdan8 wrote: 94 Points
Not sure if the previous 2 posters had flawed bottles, but today this wine is elegant, rich, and decadent. Splash decanted and let sit for 45 minutes then transferred back to bottle. Drank from a Spiegelau Adina Bordeaux glass. Very refined nose of blueberry and Tahitian vanilla in a very understated manner. Nice and rich dark fruits coat the palate. Still considerable tannic grip because it is a tad early on this wine. Good lasting finish of 30 seconds with accents of cocoa. Rated on its potential in 5-7 years which could easily merit a 95-96. Head and shoulders above Sasi!
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3/1/2015 - jnelson101 wrote: 92 Points
I was expecting more from this wine. It should sit for a few more years.
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2/3/2015 - King JR wrote: 88 Points
Surprisingly almost undrinkable at this point. Very rough, alcohol present, highly tannic and acidic. Very surprising. Decanted for 3 hours with almost no improvement. Will wait a few more years before opening another.
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12/17/2014 - godx wrote:
Blind December Lunch (Lupo): Tasted blind. Italian merlot? A big wine with richer fruit and quite expansive on the palate. Very young and perhaps difficult to judge, but this didn't do too much for me.
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12/5/2014 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped and drank 1 hour later without a decant. DARK! Huge nose. Big flavor and mouth feel. Dirty blueberry flavor with faint black cherry aftertaste. This was very good, but I remember liking the 2006 better. Well liked by the other tasters as well.
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12/5/2014 - SonnyChiba wrote: 95 Points
This was fantastic. Teeth staining rich, layer upon layer of beautiful fruit. So well balanced. Bordeaux blend but very Tuscan style and flavors. A wine I could never get tired of drinking.
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11/28/2014 - PT insurgent wrote:
Pronounced nose of chocolate, black cherry, plum, floral, vanilla, toast, herb, spice, mint/menthol, tobacco.
High acid, high tannin, on the palate notes of chocolate, black currant, plum, cherry, herb, spice, espresso.
Super young, needs some years to integrate tannin and develop some flavors.
Fantastic wine though.
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11/22/2014 - phynes wrote: 95 Points
Lovely wine. Rich, deep colour with flavours to match. Very Bordeaux-like in ways; perhaps richer in terms of fruit but with less complexity, for now at least. Drinking well now after decanting but it has a long life head of it.
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11/19/2014 - Bo Bergmann Likes this wine: 95 Points
Very Nice wine!
Full of good flavors, Dark red, High alcohol %
Im impressed
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11/13/2014 - SineQuaNon Likes this wine: 96 Points
A character very similar to 2007; Stunning wine in a modern and somewhat international frame. Almost as if coming from Napa. This vintage getting the nod as the superior one of the two.
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10/27/2014 - Ralph_ wrote: 96 Points
From a magnum at a Ornellaia tasting. 1985-2011 all from Magnum
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8/12/2014 - aquacongas Likes this wine: 95 Points
drank it July 2012 with Tignaello 2000 (92) and Tiganello 1990 (93), red berries, forrest ground, some wood and vanilla, decanted two hours before, still primary fruits, crispy fresh acidity, fullbodied, nice ripe tannins, fine-grained and firm, next bottle in 5 years, just to see the deveplopment, 20 years ahead a baby, 95+ (50+5+14+18+8), we will see where the journey is going to
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7/20/2014 - aquacongas Likes this wine: 94 Points
drank it 30/10/2011 at brandini koblenz, tight, ripe and fine tannins, fullbodied, red berries, wood, powerful, good acidity to carry this wine the 20 years, modern style but elegant, cassis at his best, 94-97
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6/17/2014 - roselieb@gmx.de Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very nice wine! Lot of power as you would expect.
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10/5/2013 - soyhead wrote: 93 Points
nose - cassis, charcoal
mouth - tight and tannic, big bold fruit. good quality here but early still. hold for 5+ years. how to know how this will evolve
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9/13/2013 - dron_ap wrote: 94 Points
Amazing. Classical bordeaux with a hint of fun.
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7/27/2013 - dzitt wrote: 92 Points
Le vin est grenat presque noir. Le nez, profond offre fruits noirs, épices, café, chocolat, graphite et bois de cèdre. En bouche, le fruit (mûres, bleuets dans le chocolat) cohabite avec une bonne dose d’épices, de cèdre, une pointe métallique / graphite, dans un ensemble structuré et tellement long ou parfois une pointe d’alcool est perceptible. Appréciable si on considère la jeunesse de ce qui est dans le verre. Superbe sans être grand à ce stade-ci. Bu d’une demie question de voir comment se comporte un super-toscan (une première pour moi).
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7/26/2013 - Doni.Bertolami wrote: 95 Points
Classic left bank bordeaux style with notes of cassis, plum, mocca, licorice, slate and cedar. The wood is still a little obvious and needs time to integrate. However, the structure is amazing. The wine just needs another 3-4 years in the cellar to reveal the full potential.
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7/11/2013 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 95 Points
Served right from a magnum on a hot and somewhat humid night. The first bottle was drop-dead gorgeous, integrating already though will clearly benefit from age. Notes of tar, coffee and cassis joined together with velvety tannins. Lush and giving. By the time we had the second bottle, conditions seemed to shut it down a bit, adding a slightly acidic note. All in all a great performance from a wine that merit 2 or more points down the line.
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6/12/2013 - cephomer Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wine Aficionados Tasting - Westchester Wine School (Mamaroneck, NY): Drank at Ned's best tasting this year with the WWS 'elite' tasters. This was my #2 fave of the nite, and I think the overall crowd favorite of the 13+ wines consumed--and we had many fine wines at this tasting--see my other notes from this date. I've had this wine now for the 3rd yr in a row and it's getting better each time I taste it. Beautiful dark plummy color. Nose of plums and black currant, as well as the wood that's still there, though fading with time. Fairly well-extracted, though not overdone--this is no Parker fruit bomb--mostly dark fruits on the palate, cassis, plums, blackberries, some leather, soft tannins that are smoothing out nicely, good complexity. The oak is still there and noticeable but the wine's still young, and its elements seem to be integrating well with time. I loved this wine at a Frescobaldi tasting last year, drinking it with winemaker Axel, and commented then how it had evolved since the year before. It's still evolving, and getting better. A very lovely wine; I hope to have the oppty to drink it again in 2014.
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6/10/2013 - RickyT12 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Decanted 1.5 hours. Great dark purple color. Nose is as close to a Bordeaux first growth as it gets. WOW! Green pepper, pepper, vanilla, some mint and a little oak on the nose. So similar to 03 Latour it is amazing. Black licorice all day great mouth feel almost chewy, some sea salt coming through. Great balance. Great big flavor. I will buy another if I can find. Great wine. This wine has serious years to go.
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6/8/2013 - pdemaio wrote: 94 Points
Lovely and smooth. Great integration. Beautiful wine already with round tannins and terrific fruit. PDQ94+
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11/3/2012 - Stefanos T. wrote: 96 Points
Another superb vintage from Ornellaia, a powerful yet elegant wine with aromas of bitter chocolate, tea, leather, plums and violets, with oak still evident but integrated, with massive tannins hidden behind sweet ripe fruit and rich extract. Very young.
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10/30/2012 - Dokken wrote: 96 Points
Purple with a forward and very intense nose showing fried bacon, cassis and blackberries along spicy and oaky aromas. Highlighted oak but adequatly supported by fruit. Big and rich on palate packed with firm tannins, balancing acidity that lead to a very long finish. Very juicy and fluid. Great potential.
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10/29/2012 - kostaslonis wrote: 95 Points
(Tenuta dell' Ornellaia vertical by Oenocosmos) Dense purple color with equally thick and complex nose (very different from the 2009), more typical with coffee, oak, leather (?), more typical Italian scents.
Full in the body as well, powerful acidity, solid fruit base, oak hits back again, very concentrated with a long aftertate. As it seems this was the wine of the event for everyone (though I prefer the '09)
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10/29/2012 - Yiannis wrote: 97 Points
Ornellaia Tasting organized by Oenocosmos (Vezenes Restaurant, Athens, Greece): WOTY for almost everyone. Ornelleia at its best! Explosive and complex nose of melted licorice, plum, cherry, noble meaty scents and sweet spice. Full-bodied with firm but fine-grained tannins of excellent quality, rich, generous fruit, round, perfectly balanced despite its youth and multy-layered. Very long aftertaste. Majestic.
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8/30/2012 - Pinot luva Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted at the 2012 Voyager Estate Masterclass, Taxi Dining Room, Melbourne.
Big and bold.
Big, rich cassis, blueberries, cedar.
Quite tannic on the finish
Full body, full flavoured.
Still very young but a great future ahead.
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8/29/2012 - chatters wrote:
Voyager Estate Masterclass 2012 (Officers mess, Victoria Barracks, Oxford Street, Sydney): Nose Closed, muted, cream and vanilla, jammy black fruit, slight herbal, slight stalkiness
Mouth vanilla cream, black over red berry fruit, stalk in the mouth. Bit warm, bit short. The tannins feel a little chalky and grippy
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8/26/2012 - DonalOB wrote: 95 Points
Italian wine tasting (Watson's, Hong Kong): Amazing colour - purple with rim. Spicy blackcurrant on nose, smooth and fairly full-bodied. Coats the mouth. Some oak evident still - needs time. Quite refined in balance though - one to watch.
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8/18/2012 - jwan584 wrote:
A big, serious wine. Nose of blueberry jam, violet, hints of strawberry, jasmine and vanilla smoke. Huge mouth presence with teeth coating tannins. Immense structure under polished fruit. 15% alcohol but doesn't taste like it. But very heady; shared a bottle with Ken but felt like I drank a whole bottle. There is little doubt this wine would be great in twenty years time.
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7/23/2012 - maxima wrote: 95 Points
Comme le Sassicaia 2008 bu en même temps, il a été debout pour quelques jour et ouvert pour rapide passage en carafe le jour d’avant sans reboucher…remis en carafe pour un bon 2 heures et bu sur +/- 2 heures pendant et après le repas!
L’œil : Un rouge rubis foncé avec des reflets pourpres.
Le nez : C’est assez intense, surtout des herbes et beaucoup de cerises à l’eau de vie avec une pointe de chocolat et des prunes!
La bouche : C’est rond, ample et puissant mais tout de même assez équilibré! Des saveurs intenses de mures avec de l’anis, du chocolat et une touche de graphite, il y a beaucoup de mâche. Les tannins sont serrés et charnus, légèrement asséchants en ce moment!
La finale est hyper longue et persiste longtemps sur des relents de cèdre!
On a ici un « GROS » vin, encore joufflu et juvénile en ce moment mais avec une structure imposante qui laisse présager une très longue garde.
Moins approchable que le Sassicaia 2008, un registre différent mais c’est tout de même très bon et attrayant en ce moment!
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5/26/2012 - Hank Gillespie wrote:
Tenuta dell' Ornellaia (The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise): 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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4/18/2012 - cephomer wrote: 92 Points
Drank at Ornellaia tasting yesterday with the wine maker and Frescobaldi guys. I tasted this wine at last year's event and it was hard to approach. The wine is in a far better place this year than last, showing far more balance, better balance between the ample fruit and strong tannins, with great mouth feel. I drank this wine with the 2009, which was just introduced at this tasting and was I guess the 'guest of honor', and the 2005, 2006 and 2007. The 08 was by far, the most accessible and certainly in the best place compared to these other wines on this day
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3/18/2012 - Khamen wrote:
Hard to get to right now behind, with the fruit trapped in a bunker of cosmic tannins most noticeable on the finish. Balance is excellent however (one diner described it as "fresh") and provided this wine gets a chance to age gracefully it should develop into succulent and well rounded Ornellaia. Not sure the quality will ever rival the triumphant triumverate of 2001/2004/2006 but it's no turkey. However this turns out it's going to be another 2 or 3 years before we get a real indication of quality. Very bold fruit in evidence with all the signature richness of Ornellaia. Of course you should hold these at the moment but an interesting exercise of a wine in bottle for just 12 months. Not much point putting a score to this but I'm generally of a mind with Galvezguy that somewhere in the 91-93 range is likely. My only concern is that this retains the balance as it matures - currently it's ooh lovely fruit followed by mouth-puckering structure. If the fruit holds up it could even go higher
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3/15/2012 - GalvezGuy wrote:
Dallas Offline - Great Hosts (Nice Italian Place - Name Undisclosed): Not scored too painfully young. Nose is a bit walled off but I get black fruit, leather and a whallop of spicy oak. On the palate, black plum, black currant, spice, vanilla. Finishes with great balance but the wall of tannins blocks everything else out. Hold for at least five years. Impressive, gut impression 92-94.
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12/10/2011 - psmith wrote: 93 Points
This wine has been on a roll in recent vintages. Deep, sexy, round profile of dark, chocolatey fruits. Graphite. Very forward and ripe, but still classy. Very nice.
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11/20/2011 - Vintomas wrote: 92 Points
Sassicaia and Ornellaia Masterclass at Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (Landmark Hotel, London): Deep red colour, almost purple notes. Very ripe dark berries in the nose, hints of tar, spice, cedar, chocolcate, som eucalyptus. Concentrated and serious nose with well handled but noticeable oak, comes across as a serious "New World style". On the palate ripe dark berries, blackcurrants, slightly sweetish attack, noticeable tannins of the polished kind, mint, very faint hints of alcoholic fire. Young, but after all rather accesible. 92-93 p?
What will happen to the fiery element with cellaring? I see a potential for a higher score if it integrates, but it is difficult to judge if that will happen.
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11/20/2011 - Stefanos T. wrote: 95 Points
Decanter Sassicaia & Ornellaia Masterclass (Landmark Hotel London): Dark almost opaque ruby core with a garnet rim. Very focused nose - deep ripe fruit, sweet and inky. Oak notes and sweet spice, also black raisins. Texture is velvety smooth, melted licorice, concentrated sweet spice and cassis. Opulent and graceful. Structure is masked behind the ripeness of fruit but definitely this is a wine for the long run.
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11/14/2011 - Yagil wrote: 94 Points
dark red-black, cooked roasted plums aroma, rich, intense, balanced acidity & bitterness, harmonious, black fruits, spices, long aftertaste.
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10/22/2011 - lumpyelbow wrote:
Lcbo tasting. I get a little confected liquor nose that was unpleasant. Almost a little port like. But in the mouth this was stunning. More body and concentration than 2008 Tig alongside. Mouth coating and spicy, enough tannin to hide these away for 5 or 6 years before you start looking at them. 93+
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10/18/2011 - Samsara Likes this wine: 87 Points
La caravane Mark Anthony Brands 2011 au chalet du Parcours du Cerf de Longueuil le 18 octobre 2011.
9 pays, 55 producteurs
Plus de 150 produits
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8/4/2011 - Frank&Steph wrote:
is that me or 2038 is way too far??
i though wine like this could stand for not more then 15 years..
maybe im wrong..
any hints?
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5/23/2011 - mike410 wrote: 92 Points
Tasted at the WS Grand Tour in Boston. Dark ruby color. Muted berries and leather. Packed with lively tannins and slight acidity. Needs time.
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5/19/2011 - socidelvino wrote: 91 Points
Wine Spectator Grand Tour Boston 2011
Eye: dark ruby color. Nose: ripe fruit, smoke, spice. Palate: smooth, spice, good fruit, balance favors fruit, good tannins, long finish.
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5/15/2011 - vegasoenophile wrote: 91 Points
Opulent and rich. A very nice wine.
- WS Grand Tour 2011
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5/14/2011 - torciaumana wrote: 88 Points
Wine Story; 5/13/2011-5/14/2011 (Hotel Melia, Milan, Italy): Rosso rubino cupo impenetrabile. Note erbacee confettura di frutti di bosco, legno piuttosto presente. Finale lungo e morbido.
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5/2/2011 - Jack O'Brien wrote: 93 Points
At Ornellaia - Awesome nose - powerful and elegant. Very similar to Nuove but the Cabernet is more dominant on the nose with casis, black current, fig eucalyptus, cedar wood, sandalwood and dark chocolate. Great finish and very drinkable now but powerful enough to hang around for a while.
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4/11/2011 - dre wrote: 93 Points
Solid framework with really intense tannins and a ton of oak. The fruit is bright and pure. Once this gets settled it will be amazing.
Drink 2015 - 2030.
Outstanding Quality. 93 pts.
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3/30/2011 - Gob wrote:
Hard to score this... obviously way too young, Dark colour, Medium weight, Massive tannins not showing much fruit
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3/16/2011 - kwaky wrote: 94 Points
Dark red. Red berry and fruit nose, nice perfum.aroma. Loads of fruit on the palate. Lovely balance of fruit, acid and tannins.
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