Shared with Seattle wine group tasting. Possibly the wine of the night but was consumed (quickly) by the group prior to the formal tasting. Delicious and still fresh, young tasting. This one has decades to go.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really beautiful and should drink well for next 5-10 years at least. The Cabernet in the blend keeps everything in check and I agree with some earlier notes that blind this could feel like an extremely well-made Cali cab. A bit less ripe but otherwise all the elements are there and it does feel a bit more new world. Really tasty even though not perhaps the most classic representation (IMO) of a BDX blend from Tuscany.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Didn’t decant , poured 2 small glasses and swirled the bottle . Good nose, texture and taste from the start. Finishes as good as it starts. Paired with pasta and red sauce very nicely. It could easily stand up to a ribeye.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Too good! It just jumps out the decanter from the start, you know it's something special, immediately. One of those wines that both new world leaning and old world snobs (guilty) equally appreciate. In a beautiful spot right now - secondary iron/blood/Tuscan slightly underripe tomato things starting to grab the mic from the dark, dense and pure fruits of youth. Nice balance of both. Still sightly wound up at first sip but started singing an hour or so in and for the next two, then slight possible decline... but if you haven't drank most all of it by then, that's on you! Cheers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is perfect now. Very deep garnet color with a powerful nose of mostly secondary and tertiary aromas: tar, dried cherry, toast, mushrooms, earth, bitter chocolate. On the palate: dry, high acidity, high tannins, high alcohol, peasant mouthfeel due to silky smooth body and strong flavors of sour cherry, vanilla, cured meat and chocolate. Very long and satisfying finish lingering on the palate for minutes.Very good wine that can withstand more years in the cellar If I were to taste it blind, in would've thought that this is a very well made, high end California Cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Superb and drinking very nicely now. Notes below are a fair spread and representative. I’d say get stuck into this and I suspect that most people that drink this will already be doing so. Inky, silky, dark fruited, Italian power. Great way to end our lunch and sat in the right place at the end of the trio of wines at Goodman.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
very approachable nose with black fruit, graphite, garden herbs, earthy, wood, masculine and dominant. acidity was well integrated and with soft tannins. guess it coult be cellared for some more years but don’t think it’s getting better from now.
opened the bottle and poured one glass one hours before tasting against an Alion 2011 (not quite fair) good example of the two different styles (masculine Italy versus elegant Spain) pairing with boef stroganoff worked well but the Alion performed better because of the acid I guess.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted over two days, with consistent impressions.
Big and loud! Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with blackcurrant, peppers, and black earth dominate the bouquet and flavor profile. Plummy Merlot comes off somewhat watery and Petit Verdot adds blackberry and mineral elements.
The Tuscan profile, with tomato, tomato leaf, savory herbs, and red loam elements, show prominently. Worn leather and drying tobacco notes enhance the whole.
On the downside, while robust and bold, intrusive alcohol takes a burning toll. Also, given the wine's muscularity, there is an overarching thinness to the liquid.
Fruit has begun to fade, secondary notes abound, and the alcohol masks tertiary accents. Recommend drinking over the next few years. Abysmal QPR. 92-93.
A 65th Birthday Celebration, Slightly COVID Delayed (EL Ideas - Chicago IL): Ripe black cherry and berry with a hint of cigarbox. This seems so modern and fleshy to start, but structure and refinement come through from the middle forward. Good length, finishing with lots of elegance. Good now, with upside.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
when first opened the wine showed aromas of smoky, dark berries, oak and cedar - heavy on the wood notes. But the wine opened quite nicely, showing off some vanilla, cinnamon, the prerequisite forest floor (hey, it's an old wine) plus some mocha and coffee bean. The tannins, while light on their feet (so to speak), but by the time we hit the 3 hour mark more earthy character started to emerge and the fruit started to dissipate and tannins more astringent. Still a lovely bottle, but it's definitely on the downward slope of life.
Bei Ornellaia lohnt sich warten - alles passt jetzt bei diesem Wein zusammen...der 01 und 04 ist noch besser auf Weltklasse Niveau, aber dieser knapp dahinter
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great mouthfeel, rich with real complexity and a long finish. Incredibly smooth tannins. Took an hour or so to fully open up. In addition to the normal flavours it had a flavour note I couldn’t place but which was enjoyable
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Served blind along with 2005 Dominus and 2005 Montrose. This showed a touch lighter and more acid driven, yet strong backbone of tasty black fruits and spices. Very solid showing and after 15 years begging to show some nuance vs primary fruits.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank this with the '05 Solaia and Sassicaia. This was ever so slightly preferred by a number of people in our group. Very aromatic with blackberry and black currant on the nose. Fruit forward flavor with dark berries and spice with a long lingering finish. A joy to drink with friends.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
In a good place right now... red cherry and raspberry, tobacco, leather, and earth on the palate. Soft textures, full mouthfeel, nice depth and complexity, dusty spice, and smooth tannins lead to a long and delicious finish.
PnP, did not decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot aged for 18 months in French oak barriques (70% new), the 2005 Ornellaia retains a youthful deep ruby robe. Packed with wild berry fruit, fig, cocoa, truffle, licorice and spicy oak, it is a full-bodied, ripe, fruit-forward wine with medium acidity, nicely integrated alcohol (14.5%), well-woven alcohol and plentiful fine-grained tannins. Dense on the mid-palate, it goes on to close with a lengthy smooth finish. Tasted in double-blind fashion, I guessed this to be a youthful Napa Cabernet or Napa Bordeaux-style blend. Well-cellared bottles of this hedonistic elixir will last longer than originally predicted by the pundits. Drink now-2035.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted and served. This bottle showed young and powerful with a fabulous balance of acid, earth, and macerated fruit. It seems to be in a peak window right now and it's hard to imagine being disappointed. Too bad it's my last bottle!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted and served. Showing beautifully with balanced, deep, easy-drinking palate. Notes of dark fruit, wet leather and earth, baker's chocolate, mushroom.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A dark colour, not showing much age; full, concentrated, smoky fruit, with a slightly gravelly character. A thick-textured and complex wine, with good length. Drinking well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pour notre traditionnel souper du Super Bowl LIII. Le nez est envoutant, même de la carafe c'est hyper fruité. Des cerises et des bleuets avec un peu de vanille. En bouche, un peu d'amertume, c'est ample et corsé. Belles saveurs de cerises et de poivre avec un peu d'anis. Tannins serrés et finale hyper longue. Super bon mais aurais bénificié de plus de carafe ou être bu dans quelques années!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A truly fantastic Ornellaia, but most are quite good. Still quite youthful. As others have commented, the hint of Can Franc really makes this a top notch wine that I consider to rival any super second from the Left Bank and is amazingly consistent. This could probably go another 15 years an only have subtle changes. Gorgeous red and dark fruit with that CF showing the darker fruits seem to win that battle. So smooth, silky tannins in the mouth, and on the finish. All the oak has nicely integrated and this has a very long finish with no sense of flabbiness and filled with elegant structure. Everything I expect from a big boy Ornellaia.
Costly but well worth the wait. Considering that a solid second growth of similar quality, in a stellar year costs between $125-$300 I think this is a solid investment if you grab them around $150.
I do think, and have invested in, Orma and Oreno as much more economical choices, and even have a good quantity of the 2nd wine Le Serre Nuove on my shelves, but I’m happy I still have some Ornellaia from 2006,2007,2009 and 2010, which I will age as long as I can.
Highly recommended at least once or twice. The 2091 vintage remains in my top 5 Bordeaux blends from both France, Italy or the new world. I would put this up with the likes of Montrose, Dulcu-Beacalliou, Leoville Poyferre and while quite different than the Pessac’s style of greatness it would hold its own against most of the wines given that they are known for their silky mouthfeel. Not as much scorched earth.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Need to be consciously intellectual to drink. Not old, but ageing well. Dark fruit, seductive leather to clench between your teeth in blissful satisfaction or to learn back and swirl. Gorgeous Cab Franc.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
SLDS August 2018: Heavily perfumed - floral, dark cherry, blackcurrant, blueberry and redcurrant with tobacco as well. Lovely savoury texture to play along with the red and black fruit profile. Great length and superbly detailed layers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This remains one of my favorite vintages for Ornellaia to drink right now, displaying a dark and dusty profile on the nose with a mix of red fruits spanning from black cherry to cranberry, as notes of dried roses, and hints of undergrowth filled the senses. On the palate, I found silky, feminine textures showing notes of tart cherry, a sweet dusting of spice and inner floral tones. It firmed up through the finish, providing a very classic feel, balanced by lively acidity and retaining a cherry, floral profile throughout.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted and served. Old-world-style Supertuscan with nose of tart red and black fruit, grippy tannins, medium body and long finish of slightly sour tobacco and herbs. These are good but not my favorite at the price point. Ready to drink in secondary window.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lee's 40th $80+ Double Blind (Roswell, GA): Garnet core with bright maroon rim; chocolate, oak, juicy currants, some boxwood, great fruit, a touch of nutty almost volatility, some dock, overall I like the balance and complexity exhibited in the nose; structured, fresher acid with pleasant grip from the Bordeaux varietals, fine grain tannin; called '04 Ornellaia, feel like this '05 is accessible now based on the pop and pour, clear and defined flavors and this had nice drinkability.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
- Ruby color and aromas of black currant, blackberry and raspberry. It's balanced and has flavours of black currant, blackberry and oak with a full body. Smooth texture with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opera Wine 2017 - 100 Great Producers (Verona, Italy): { OperaWine2017, Verona } Fans of this wine/style will absolutely love where it's at today: full, and rich, with maturing notes of cassis and ripe plum. Some sweet tobacco and leather notes add some interest. If I were sitting on some, I think now would be the ideal time to begin drinking them down/enjoying them. recommended (R-)
Brought with us to Seared 1200 Chophouse, St. Pete Beach to celebrate Kerry's birthday. Sad to say that I could tell from the initial sniff that this was an "off" bottle. The dreaded scents and flavors of wet cardboard and Worcestershire. Being the great wine this is, it improved gradually with air over the next hour, and by then was almost fine. What a wonderful, plush texture and mouth-feel this has. Completely saturates the palate with tangy, delicious raspberry, plum and blackberry fruit. The finish lasts for more than a minute. Paired beautifully with the rib-eyes we both had, but still a shame that it did not show anywhere near its best.
New years eve 2016. Dark color and the nose was mature with leather and tobacco. It was not decanted and the wine got better during the evening. Nice Bolgheri from the best house in the area. The vintage is not the best in Tuscany , that you taste in the wine , but still very fine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ai Fiori's Ornellaia/Masseto dinner (Ai Fiori (Langham Hotel on 5th Ave)): Surprise wine and a great example of what happens with these wines with some age. It's a bit more integrated, almost sweet, saddle leather, cherry, hints of alcohol, but tamping down some. This still didn't feel really ready to me, but at least it was further on it's way than the '10 through '12s. My favorite of the Ornellaias although that comes more from the extra aging than believing the '05 vintage was better than the others.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The 2005 Ornellaia is in a wonderful place right now, displaying a dark yet vibrant nose of muddled red fruits (cherry, raspberry and strawberry), giving way to tobacco, and floral undergrowth. On the palate, silky, soft textures ushered in a mix of black cherry and dusty spice, along with pretty inner floral tones. Hints of tannin were still present on the long finish, yet the emergence of dried strawberry and earthy minerals provided a perfect counter-balance. The 2005 is on the verge of peaking.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
So refined and smooth showing its pedigree, notes of espresso and chocolate with rich blackberry and black currant notes. The merlot and cab sauvignon blend shows at its best and puts this on par with many 05 bordeauxs. Long smooth finish. Drinking beautifully. Tasted blind i would have pegged this as a Pomerol 05.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A beautiful, semi-opaque magenta in color, lightening noticeably at the edge. Displays very pretty - though subtle notes of cherries, vanilla, earth and spice on the nose. Full-bodied and rich, yet so elegant in style and weight. Very silky in texture. An explosion of ripe, delicious raspberry and pomegranate fruit immediately saturates the palate. The depth and intensity of the mid-palate is nothing short of breathtaking. The velvety, fruit-filled finish features hints of vanilla and spice and goes on for almost a full minute. So polished, delicious and impeccably balanced. An incredibly impressive bottle of wine that hits all the right notes, with near perfection. Due to its eye-watering price tag, this will never win any QPR awards - but it's still worth every penny. 50+5+13+19+9=96
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deeply coloured; a full and rich wine, with smoky blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, some oak and still a little tannin; very concentrated. Very approachable, but will keep.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep, dark ruby colour, opaque, with narrow paler ruby rim, no bricking. Clean earth, dark fruits, nicely integrated subtle oak, savoury notes. Moderate level of smooth tannins, nice acidity, alcohol high (14.5% label) but not dominant. Rich, full bodied, long, complex, well-deserving of its fame. Did not decant; changed little over the 2 hours of our contemplation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Almost identical to a high end Napa valley Cab (Insignia comes to mind) with lots of ripe red fruits almost jam-like but very pure in expression. Sweet raspberry bouquet intermixed with Italian herbs and wood spices. Finishes medium long with a long plummy delicious note without tiring the palate. Not a perfect vintage for Ornellaia but it still pretty darn good. 94+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A deep colour. A rich, concentrated, smoky wine, with intense blackcurrant and damson fruit, and strong oak influence. Some tannin on the finish, and good length. Drinking well now, but should improve with time as the various elements integrate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Black fruits and dark cabernet fruit flavors. Medium bodied. Good balance. Still youthful with a medium-grain tannic backbone. Has never been a great Ornellaia but drinking well and will clearly improve.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
- Brick color with medium forming legs. It's in total harmony and has flavours of rose, prune, tobacco and black pepper with a medium/full body. Fleshy texture with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Fresh, vibrant, medium to full weight. Plenty of black fruit flavours, and good length. We drank this a couple of days after the 1999, of which there was a little left, and we thought the 1999 was a step up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
In Vino Veritas Session 3 (MIT): Boom! Gorgeous nose - pure brambles, cedar and a touch of pine. Very rich on the palate - some green bitterness and iodine just about temper the bold, intense fruit. Handles its alcohol like a champ. *Very* long. Needs time. 14.5%, $180.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rich, ripe, blackcurrant fruit, with a touch of spice and smoke. Quite concentrated, but not quite the intensity of the best, perhaps because the vintage was not quite as good as in France.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
14.5% alcohol. decanted, and followed in glass for over four hours. nice, practical example of the wine, yet lacking verve and complexity when compared to better vintages (and i don't believe these observations are related to it's youth). it's armed with decent fruit, but a bit over extracted and oaked up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very deep colour. Deep, rich, blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, with a touch of spice. Quite intense and with good length. Fairly evident tannin, so should keep well, although it is enjoyable now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
there remains tannins and depth to hold this vintage longer, but the earth and fruit balance with the long finish and evolving complexity over the evening makes this a special bottle from a special producer;I was told 2005 did not have the staying power of other years but this was sure good tonight
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Saturday Tasting Group (Knightsbridge Wine Shop (Northbrook, IL)): Blackberry, raspberry syrup. Lots of fruit. A little juicy. A touch of cinnamon and creamy ripe berries. A touch of black road tar as well. Lovely light spice. Blue fruit, cassis, mocha, and a little gamey. Some earth on back end. Palate is gorgeous. Nice medium to full body. Not over ripe.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Huge wine. Deep black purple to the the rim with bold legs and tears. Nose of beef boullion, bacon, prune, fig, plum, vanilla, oak. Palate tastes like it smells. Well structured. Integrated tannins. A good bit of spice. Still young but approachable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A deep, dense colour. This is a thick-textured wine with concentrated fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry), good length and some tannin on the finish. Still quite youthful, but attractive now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow. Where to begin? Really dark, inky color. This wine was exceptionally deep in terms of aromatics and flavors and was perfectly balanced for me and continued to get better over the course of a couple of hours. Nose of balsamic reduction, bloody meat, gamey notes, cigar box, black plums and more. Similar flavors on the palate with ripe black plums, cassis, leather, tobacco, hints of soy sauce and asian spice and some bitter dark chocolate on the back end. Loads of savory tuscan character in this wine. Medium+ acid and tannin. So balanced all around. The finish had incredible length and was silky smooth. Spectacular wine. 97-98 pts
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rather disappointing. Took out of 52 degree cellar and let sit for about an hour. Decanted for about 30 minutes. Never really came to life. Subdued bottle. O is uaually my favorite Super Tuscan. Hopefully this was an "off" bottle. Will try again soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very rich, almost OTT compared with the 04 Cos it was paired with. Still quite a dry finish. Perfectly drinkable but with none of the extra dimension of some other recent vintages.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
(No Formal Tasting Notes) New Year's Eve wine number 9 - The red of the evening, aerated for a couple of hours and it was simply stunning, great fruit, complexity, intensity and vibrancy, probably another case of infanticide but drinking well now with the staying power for many, many years to come (96 Points).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark berry, cassis, currant, complex bouquet. Very bold but smooth on the palette with a complex lamb tagine dish. Probably will improve over next several years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Powerful, intense, smoky, with good structure and length; a very fine Italian, combining the complexity of top claret with a distinctive Tuscan character. Vigorous and very long.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow, this wine grabs your attention with high intensity deep savory tones of ink, tobacco, maduro cigar wrapper, dark chocolate and espresso...all that savory tuscan love is here. Silky in the mouth with young but ripe plump tannin. Similar flavors to the nose....dark roasted and complete. Great 45 sec finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Voyager Estate Masterclass 2010 (North Sydney Cellars): Nose: chocolate and black currant Mouth: bitter and tannic, very tannic, medium acidity and, under this, some fruit. Needs more time. Far too young. As it is, it's not very pleasant. Come back in ten years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
On the nose, mineral, coffee grounds, black currant and musk (that I get in barbera d' alba sometimes). ..Palate-solid foundation,bitter dark chocolate- layered structure, nice balance of tannin, acidity and dark fruit. Bold, brooding wine. Best to hold but fun to drink now...94+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark dark purple. Currant and small berry nose. As Barbara B so accurately describes: "On palate, wow! Savoury, subtle ripe dark fruit, sweet spices, slight hint of oaky vanilla; moderately high acidity, high alcohol, silky textured tannins. Full bodied, long, rich, hugely complex; could taste it for hours." I could not agree more. This wine is extraordinary. The tannins are so balanced with the fruit...magic.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
New Years 2010 (Graney's house in Dana Point, CA): An '05 from Italy drinking this well already? Amazing. Extremely dark wine, almost black in the decanter. Looked like motor oil. Huge nose of blueberry/strawberry jam. very long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Birthday Weekend; 7/23/2009-7/25/2009 (Chicagoland): Big wine misplaced in a rather elegant lineup, which didn't give this the respect it probably deserves. Dark red fruits. Tart, big structure. Cassis notes. Fine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nowhere close to the ripeness of an '06 enjoyed last week; still, dark cabernet-inspired fruits and more new-world styling than many prior vintages. Medium body. Medium grain tannins. Enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2005 Bordeaux blends (Stockholm): The WOTN for me but for the team it ended up in second place. Full of black currant, truffels, champignons, cedar, dark cholocate and coffee och the nose. On the palate it has an extremly long after taste and masses of sweet licorice along with a strong backbone of tannins avoiding a one dimensional structure. Great wine that will not have the longevity of the Bordeaux's but is cleraly better at this point and probably for the next five years or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very floral with chocolate mineral plum and cigar wrapper. Velvet texture, toast, blk cherry, Mineral, bitter choc, plums. Graphite. Structured and long w a firm sense of minerality. 96
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Månadsprovning Munskänkarna: Dark, almost black color. Wonderful somewhat sweet smell with vanilla, fudge, coffe, blackcurrant. Complex. Full++ body with tannins that could dehydrate a cow. Very long taste and very elegant. A great wine that needs to lie down for another ten years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
20th Anniversary for Ornellaia (Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rome): From Magnum. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Ornellaia 20th Anniversary bottling. Purple core, ruby rim. Great nose of small red fruits, a little toasted/roasted character, clean earth, rich minerality. On palate, wow! Savoury, subtle ripe dark fruit, sweet spices, slight hint of oaky vanilla; moderately high acidity, high alcohol, silky textured tannins. Full bodied, long, rich, hugely complex; could taste it for hours. Best of the flight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wine Spectator Grand Tour (Las Vegas): Super fresh aromas of raspberry and currant. Some cocoa and oak with a very soft approachable mouth feel. Acidity is present but buried under silk while the tannins coat your mouth and stay there for minutes. Nice
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
5/11/2023 - ChrisinCowiche wrote: 94 Points
Shared with Seattle wine group tasting. Possibly the wine of the night but was consumed (quickly) by the group prior to the formal tasting. Delicious and still fresh, young tasting. This one has decades to go.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2023 - mfimiani47 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really beautiful and should drink well for next 5-10 years at least. The Cabernet in the blend keeps everything in check and I agree with some earlier notes that blind this could feel like an extremely well-made Cali cab. A bit less ripe but otherwise all the elements are there and it does feel a bit more new world. Really tasty even though not perhaps the most classic representation (IMO) of a BDX blend from Tuscany.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/22/2023 - mpechette Likes this wine: 92 Points
Didn’t decant , poured 2 small glasses and swirled the bottle . Good nose, texture and taste from the start. Finishes as good as it starts. Paired with pasta and red sauce very nicely. It could easily stand up to a ribeye.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2023 - ragtop Likes this wine: 91 Points
Beautiful purple with a hint of brown. No tanin. Drinking very well and should keep easily 5-7yrs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2023 - WinoD wrote: 96 Points
Too good! It just jumps out the decanter from the start, you know it's something special, immediately. One of those wines that both new world leaning and old world snobs (guilty) equally appreciate. In a beautiful spot right now - secondary iron/blood/Tuscan slightly underripe tomato things starting to grab the mic from the dark, dense and pure fruits of youth. Nice balance of both. Still sightly wound up at first sip but started singing an hour or so in and for the next two, then slight possible decline... but if you haven't drank most all of it by then, that's on you! Cheers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2022 - grape man wrote: 94 Points
Drink know, perfect place
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2022 - vpoms wrote: 94 Points
This wine is perfect now. Very deep garnet color with a powerful nose of mostly secondary and tertiary aromas: tar, dried cherry, toast, mushrooms, earth, bitter chocolate. On the palate: dry, high acidity, high tannins, high alcohol, peasant mouthfeel due to silky smooth body and strong flavors of sour cherry, vanilla, cured meat and chocolate. Very long and satisfying finish lingering on the palate for minutes.Very good wine that can withstand more years in the cellar If I were to taste it blind, in would've thought that this is a very well made, high end California Cab.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2022 - Macdog Likes this wine:
Superb and drinking very nicely now. Notes below are a fair spread and representative. I’d say get stuck into this and I suspect that most people that drink this will already be doing so. Inky, silky, dark fruited, Italian power. Great way to end our lunch and sat in the right place at the end of the trio of wines at Goodman.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2022 - Buhever Likes this wine: 95 Points
Rich with good dark fruit and herbal notes. This wine it delicious,ready to drink and won't get any better. Drink now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/6/2022 - Fred M wrote:
Drank straight out of the bottle. Superb.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/27/2022 - rinnocenzi Likes this wine: 95 Points
Huge italian bordeaux, can hold for 10- 15 years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2022 - olebaer Likes this wine: 92 Points
very approachable nose with black fruit, graphite, garden herbs, earthy, wood, masculine and dominant. acidity was well integrated and with soft tannins.
guess it coult be cellared for some more years but don’t think it’s getting better from now.
opened the bottle and poured one glass one hours before tasting against an Alion 2011 (not quite fair) good example of the two different styles (masculine Italy versus elegant Spain)
pairing with boef stroganoff worked well but the Alion performed better because of the acid I guess.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/4/2021 - Motz wrote: 93 Points
Tasted over two days, with consistent impressions.
Big and loud! Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with blackcurrant, peppers, and black earth dominate the bouquet and flavor profile. Plummy Merlot comes off somewhat watery and Petit Verdot adds blackberry and mineral elements.
The Tuscan profile, with tomato, tomato leaf, savory herbs, and red loam elements, show prominently. Worn leather and drying tobacco notes enhance the whole.
On the downside, while robust and bold, intrusive alcohol takes a burning toll. Also, given the wine's muscularity, there is an overarching thinness to the liquid.
Fruit has begun to fade, secondary notes abound, and the alcohol masks tertiary accents. Recommend drinking over the next few years. Abysmal QPR. 92-93.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
5/30/2021 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
A 65th Birthday Celebration, Slightly COVID Delayed (EL Ideas - Chicago IL): Ripe black cherry and berry with a hint of cigarbox. This seems so modern and fleshy to start, but structure and refinement come through from the middle forward. Good length, finishing with lots of elegance. Good now, with upside.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2021 - Cipivts Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fruit forward, elegant, mocha, good balance, very nice
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2020 - owr Likes this wine: 89 Points
when first opened the wine showed aromas of smoky, dark berries, oak and cedar - heavy on the wood notes. But the wine opened quite nicely, showing off some vanilla, cinnamon, the prerequisite forest floor (hey, it's an old wine) plus some mocha and coffee bean. The tannins, while light on their feet (so to speak), but by the time we hit the 3 hour mark more earthy character started to emerge and the fruit started to dissipate and tannins more astringent. Still a lovely bottle, but it's definitely on the downward slope of life.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
11/22/2020 - christoph.rentsch@bluewin.ch wrote:
excellent drank blinded @ W&D
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/20/2020 - MM29 wrote: 96 Points
Bei Ornellaia lohnt sich warten - alles passt jetzt bei diesem Wein zusammen...der 01 und 04 ist noch besser auf Weltklasse Niveau, aber dieser knapp dahinter
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2020 - ruppdavey@yahoo.com wrote: 93 Points
- Brick color and aromas of blackberry and strawberry jam and has flavours of black currant, blackberry, black pepper and dusty.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/31/2020 - Get Real Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great mouthfeel, rich with real complexity and a long finish. Incredibly smooth tannins. Took an hour or so to fully open up. In addition to the normal flavours it had a flavour note I couldn’t place but which was enjoyable
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/6/2020 - KenK Likes this wine: 93 Points
Served blind along with 2005 Dominus and 2005 Montrose. This showed a touch lighter and more acid driven, yet strong backbone of tasty black fruits and spices. Very solid showing and after 15 years begging to show some nuance vs primary fruits.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/23/2020 - rougeamore Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank this with the '05 Solaia and Sassicaia. This was ever so slightly preferred by a number of people in our group. Very aromatic with blackberry and black currant on the nose. Fruit forward flavor with dark berries and spice with a long lingering finish. A joy to drink with friends.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2020 - GQG Likes this wine: 94 Points
In a good place right now... red cherry and raspberry, tobacco, leather, and earth on the palate. Soft textures, full mouthfeel, nice depth and complexity, dusty spice, and smooth tannins lead to a long and delicious finish.
PnP, did not decant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2019 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 95 Points
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot aged for 18 months in French oak barriques (70% new), the 2005 Ornellaia retains a youthful deep ruby robe. Packed with wild berry fruit, fig, cocoa, truffle, licorice and spicy oak, it is a full-bodied, ripe, fruit-forward wine with medium acidity, nicely integrated alcohol (14.5%), well-woven alcohol and plentiful fine-grained tannins. Dense on the mid-palate, it goes on to close with a lengthy smooth finish. Tasted in double-blind fashion, I guessed this to be a youthful Napa Cabernet or Napa Bordeaux-style blend. Well-cellared bottles of this hedonistic elixir will last longer than originally predicted by the pundits. Drink now-2035.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/16/2019 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted and served. This bottle showed young and powerful with a fabulous balance of acid, earth, and macerated fruit. It seems to be in a peak window right now and it's hard to imagine being disappointed. Too bad it's my last bottle!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2019 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted and served. Showing beautifully with balanced, deep, easy-drinking palate. Notes of dark fruit, wet leather and earth, baker's chocolate, mushroom.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2019 - La Grappe wrote: 94 Points
A dark colour, not showing much age; full, concentrated, smoky fruit, with a slightly gravelly character. A thick-textured and complex wine, with good length. Drinking well now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2019 - maxima wrote: 92 Points
Pour notre traditionnel souper du Super Bowl LIII.
Le nez est envoutant, même de la carafe c'est hyper fruité.
Des cerises et des bleuets avec un peu de vanille.
En bouche, un peu d'amertume, c'est ample et corsé.
Belles saveurs de cerises et de poivre avec un peu d'anis.
Tannins serrés et finale hyper longue.
Super bon mais aurais bénificié de plus de carafe ou être
bu dans quelques années!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2018 - Champagneinhand Likes this wine: 94 Points
A truly fantastic Ornellaia, but most are quite good. Still quite youthful. As others have commented, the hint of Can Franc really makes this a top notch wine that I consider to rival any super second from the Left Bank and is amazingly consistent. This could probably go another 15 years an only have subtle changes. Gorgeous red and dark fruit with that CF showing the darker fruits seem to win that battle. So smooth, silky tannins in the mouth, and on the finish. All the oak has nicely integrated and this has a very long finish with no sense of flabbiness and filled with elegant structure. Everything I expect from a big boy Ornellaia.
Costly but well worth the wait. Considering that a solid second growth of similar quality, in a stellar year costs between $125-$300 I think this is a solid investment if you grab them around $150.
I do think, and have invested in, Orma and Oreno as much more economical choices, and even have a good quantity of the 2nd wine Le Serre Nuove on my shelves, but I’m happy I still have some Ornellaia from 2006,2007,2009 and 2010, which I will age as long as I can.
Highly recommended at least once or twice. The 2091 vintage remains in my top 5 Bordeaux blends from both France, Italy or the new world. I would put this up with the likes of Montrose, Dulcu-Beacalliou, Leoville Poyferre and while quite different than the Pessac’s style of greatness it would hold its own against most of the wines given that they are known for their silky mouthfeel. Not as much scorched earth.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2018 - SlimShaney Likes this wine: 94 Points
Need to be consciously intellectual to drink. Not old, but ageing well. Dark fruit, seductive leather to clench between your teeth in blissful satisfaction or to learn back and swirl. Gorgeous Cab Franc.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2018 - CamWheeler wrote: 94 Points
SLDS August 2018: Heavily perfumed - floral, dark cherry, blackcurrant, blueberry and redcurrant with tobacco as well. Lovely savoury texture to play along with the red and black fruit profile. Great length and superbly detailed layers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2018 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 94 Points
This remains one of my favorite vintages for Ornellaia to drink right now, displaying a dark and dusty profile on the nose with a mix of red fruits spanning from black cherry to cranberry, as notes of dried roses, and hints of undergrowth filled the senses. On the palate, I found silky, feminine textures showing notes of tart cherry, a sweet dusting of spice and inner floral tones. It firmed up through the finish, providing a very classic feel, balanced by lively acidity and retaining a cherry, floral profile throughout.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2017 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted and served. Old-world-style Supertuscan with nose of tart red and black fruit, grippy tannins, medium body and long finish of slightly sour tobacco and herbs. These are good but not my favorite at the price point. Ready to drink in secondary window.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2017 - Daniel M. Likes this wine: 96 Points
Unglaublich! Unbeschreiblich.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/20/2017 - Rezy13 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lee's 40th $80+ Double Blind (Roswell, GA): Garnet core with bright maroon rim; chocolate, oak, juicy currants, some boxwood, great fruit, a touch of nutty almost volatility, some dock, overall I like the balance and complexity exhibited in the nose; structured, fresher acid with pleasant grip from the Bordeaux varietals, fine grain tannin; called '04 Ornellaia, feel like this '05 is accessible now based on the pop and pour, clear and defined flavors and this had nice drinkability.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2017 - ruppdavey@yahoo.com wrote: 94 Points
- Ruby color and aromas of black currant, blackberry and raspberry. It's balanced and has flavours of black currant, blackberry and oak with a full body. Smooth texture with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2017 - Tim Heaton wrote:
Opera Wine 2017 - 100 Great Producers (Verona, Italy): { OperaWine2017, Verona } Fans of this wine/style will absolutely love where it's at today: full, and rich, with maturing notes of cassis and ripe plum. Some sweet tobacco and leather notes add some interest. If I were sitting on some, I think now would be the ideal time to begin drinking them down/enjoying them. recommended (R-)
https://www.ItalianWine.blog
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/26/2017 - Veg Likes this wine:
Decanted 2 hours. Jammy and full bodied. Lovely stuff and drinking really well. Not sure it will improve any more with further keeping.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2017 - shellylowen Likes this wine: 94 Points
Prune nose, full body with cherry and plum, tobacco & mineral, chunky tannins and long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2017 - Bam_Man wrote: flawed
Brought with us to Seared 1200 Chophouse, St. Pete Beach to celebrate Kerry's birthday. Sad to say that I could tell from the initial sniff that this was an "off" bottle. The dreaded scents and flavors of wet cardboard and Worcestershire. Being the great wine this is, it improved gradually with air over the next hour, and by then was almost fine. What a wonderful, plush texture and mouth-feel this has. Completely saturates the palate with tangy, delicious raspberry, plum and blackberry fruit. The finish lasts for more than a minute. Paired beautifully with the rib-eyes we both had, but still a shame that it did not show anywhere near its best.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (2)
1/1/2017 - carstenf wrote: 94 Points
New years eve 2016. Dark color and the nose was mature with leather
and tobacco. It was not decanted and the wine got better during the evening. Nice Bolgheri from the best house in the area. The vintage is not the best in Tuscany , that you taste in the wine , but still very fine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/1/2016 - darren81 Likes this wine:
No formal note. Drank at a kids party out of plastic cups.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (2)
5/3/2016 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Ai Fiori's Ornellaia/Masseto dinner (Ai Fiori (Langham Hotel on 5th Ave)): Surprise wine and a great example of what happens with these wines with some age. It's a bit more integrated, almost sweet, saddle leather, cherry, hints of alcohol, but tamping down some. This still didn't feel really ready to me, but at least it was further on it's way than the '10 through '12s. My favorite of the Ornellaias although that comes more from the extra aging than believing the '05 vintage was better than the others.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/1/2016 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 94 Points
The 2005 Ornellaia is in a wonderful place right now, displaying a dark yet vibrant nose of muddled red fruits (cherry, raspberry and strawberry), giving way to tobacco, and floral undergrowth. On the palate, silky, soft textures ushered in a mix of black cherry and dusty spice, along with pretty inner floral tones. Hints of tannin were still present on the long finish, yet the emergence of dried strawberry and earthy minerals provided a perfect counter-balance. The 2005 is on the verge of peaking.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2016 - bonedocnine Likes this wine: 91 Points
consistently good wine. What else is there to say. A bench mark. Great with our risotto.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/8/2015 - scott w Likes this wine: 95 Points
Super elegant on the palate, blackberry, black cherry cassis mocha very silky with refined tannins. Good depth balance and a long finish.95+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/23/2015 - Merengue wrote: 93 Points
So refined and smooth showing its pedigree, notes of espresso and chocolate with rich blackberry and black currant notes. The merlot and cab sauvignon blend shows at its best and puts this on par with many 05 bordeauxs. Long smooth finish. Drinking beautifully. Tasted blind i would have pegged this as a Pomerol 05.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/20/2015 - Bam_Man Likes this wine: 96 Points
A beautiful, semi-opaque magenta in color, lightening noticeably at the edge. Displays very pretty - though subtle notes of cherries, vanilla, earth and spice on the nose. Full-bodied and rich, yet so elegant in style and weight. Very silky in texture. An explosion of ripe, delicious raspberry and pomegranate fruit immediately saturates the palate. The depth and intensity of the mid-palate is nothing short of breathtaking. The velvety, fruit-filled finish features hints of vanilla and spice and goes on for almost a full minute. So polished, delicious and impeccably balanced. An incredibly impressive bottle of wine that hits all the right notes, with near perfection. Due to its eye-watering price tag, this will never win any QPR awards - but it's still worth every penny.
50+5+13+19+9=96
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2015 - La Grappe wrote: 92 Points
Deeply coloured; a full and rich wine, with smoky blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, some oak and still a little tannin; very concentrated. Very approachable, but will keep.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2015 - Barbara B Likes this wine: 95 Points
Deep, dark ruby colour, opaque, with narrow paler ruby rim, no bricking. Clean earth, dark fruits, nicely integrated subtle oak, savoury notes. Moderate level of smooth tannins, nice acidity, alcohol high (14.5% label) but not dominant. Rich, full bodied, long, complex, well-deserving of its fame. Did not decant; changed little over the 2 hours of our contemplation.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/16/2014 - farinas Likes this wine: 94 Points
Almost identical to a high end Napa valley Cab (Insignia comes to mind) with lots of ripe red fruits almost jam-like but very pure in expression. Sweet raspberry bouquet intermixed with Italian herbs and wood spices. Finishes medium long with a long plummy delicious note without tiring the palate. Not a perfect vintage for Ornellaia but it still pretty darn good. 94+
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/27/2014 - Ralph_ wrote: 95 Points
From a magnum at a Ornellaia tasting. 1985-2011 all from Magnum
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2014 - La Grappe wrote: 92 Points
A deep colour. A rich, concentrated, smoky wine, with intense blackcurrant and damson fruit, and strong oak influence. Some tannin on the finish, and good length. Drinking well now, but should improve with time as the various elements integrate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2014 - pdemaio wrote: 95 Points
Lovely and full of life. An easy wine to drink despite amazing complexity.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2014 - psmith wrote: 91 Points
Black fruits and dark cabernet fruit flavors. Medium bodied. Good balance. Still youthful with a medium-grain tannic backbone. Has never been a great Ornellaia but drinking well and will clearly improve.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/3/2014 - mwanasheria Likes this wine: 95 Points
Hedonism Wines' Enomatic Sampling (Hedonism Wines, Mayfair): Wonderful nose, chocolate, tobacco. On the palate dense with plums, underwood and again chocolate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/2/2014 - vino777 wrote:
- Brick color with medium forming legs. It's in total harmony and has flavours of rose, prune, tobacco and black pepper with a medium/full body. Fleshy texture with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2013 - La Grappe Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fresh, vibrant, medium to full weight. Plenty of black fruit flavours, and good length. We drank this a couple of days after the 1999, of which there was a little left, and we thought the 1999 was a step up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2013 - pdemaio wrote: 95 Points
Big, round, and smooth, and with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2013 - La Grappe Likes this wine: 92 Points
Full, rich, complex, with deeply flavoured fruit and a slight smokiness. Drinking very well, but still lively, and long on the finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2013 - thirstyman Likes this wine:
Nice fruit, lush, vanillia on the nose and needs a small amount of time to fully integrate the tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/6/2013 - King JR wrote: 95 Points
Awesome! Decanted for almost 4 hours - finally got that right! Still gorgeous fruit, silky smooth tannins. Lots of life yet. Sean loved it today.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/28/2013 - La Grappe Likes this wine: 90 Points
A rich, smoky, brambly wine, concentrated and long. This is drinking very well now, but has plenty of life and vigour and should last well.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/14/2013 - pdemaio wrote: 94 Points
Lovely wine with great balance and good fruit. Nice oak notes. Still a bit too young.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2013 - pdemaio Likes this wine: 93 Points
good balance. Big modern style. Nice, integrated tannins...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2013 - La Grappe wrote: 91 Points
Plenty of soft, ripe fruit, good intensity and length. There is a sweetness to the fruit which masks any underlying complexity. It may yet improve.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/21/2013 - La Grappe Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rich, ripe, smoky, brambly fruit, with some tannin still. Quite youthful, and with the potential to develop, but approachable now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2013 - Benj wrote: 92 Points
In Vino Veritas Session 3 (MIT): Boom! Gorgeous nose - pure brambles, cedar and a touch of pine. Very rich on the palate - some green bitterness and iodine just about temper the bold, intense fruit. Handles its alcohol like a champ. *Very* long. Needs time. 14.5%, $180.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/13/2013 - La Grappe Likes this wine: 90 Points
Rich, ripe, blackcurrant fruit, with a touch of spice and smoke. Quite concentrated, but not quite the intensity of the best, perhaps because the vintage was not quite as good as in France.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2012 - Mgetlin wrote: 91 Points
Quite nice. Opened quickly.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/2/2012 - jeff nowak wrote: 90 Points
14.5% alcohol. decanted, and followed in glass for over four hours. nice, practical example of the wine, yet lacking verve and complexity when compared to better vintages (and i don't believe these observations are related to it's youth). it's armed with decent fruit, but a bit over extracted and oaked up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/6/2012 - La Grappe wrote: 93 Points
Very deep colour. Deep, rich, blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, with a touch of spice. Quite intense and with good length. Fairly evident tannin, so should keep well, although it is enjoyable now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/27/2012 - bugdoced wrote: 94 Points
there remains tannins and depth to hold this vintage longer, but the earth and fruit balance with the long finish and evolving complexity over the evening makes this a special bottle from a special producer;I was told 2005 did not have the staying power of other years but this was sure good tonight
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/2/2012 - beezer6 wrote: 94 Points
Saturday Tasting Group (Knightsbridge Wine Shop (Northbrook, IL)): Blackberry, raspberry syrup. Lots of fruit. A little juicy. A touch of cinnamon and creamy ripe berries. A touch of black road tar as well.
Lovely light spice. Blue fruit, cassis, mocha, and a little gamey. Some earth on back end. Palate is gorgeous. Nice medium to full body. Not over ripe.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/2/2012 - psmith wrote: 91 Points
This has put on some weight and uncoiled a bit. Dark cassis and mineral notes. Medium-full bodied. Firmly structured. Young. Nice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/31/2012 - BillyT wrote: 91 Points
Bottle variation? While previous notes apply the one difference is the fruit is there the nuances are. It as prominent.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2012 - BillyT wrote: 92 Points
Previous notes apply. Again OUTSTANDING
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/24/2012 - BillyT wrote: 93 Points
OUTSTANDING. At dinner with friends. No specific notes other than stupendous.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/12/2012 - BillyT wrote: 91 Points
Huge wine. Deep black purple to the the rim with bold legs and tears. Nose of beef boullion, bacon, prune, fig, plum, vanilla, oak. Palate tastes like it smells. Well structured. Integrated tannins. A good bit of spice. Still young but approachable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/21/2012 - La Grappe wrote: 92 Points
A deep, dense colour. This is a thick-textured wine with concentrated fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry), good length and some tannin on the finish. Still quite youthful, but attractive now.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/19/2012 - Rich S wrote:
Wow. Where to begin? Really dark, inky color. This wine was exceptionally deep in terms of aromatics and flavors and was perfectly balanced for me and continued to get better over the course of a couple of hours. Nose of balsamic reduction, bloody meat, gamey notes, cigar box, black plums and more. Similar flavors on the palate with ripe black plums, cassis, leather, tobacco, hints of soy sauce and asian spice and some bitter dark chocolate on the back end. Loads of savory tuscan character in this wine. Medium+ acid and tannin. So balanced all around. The finish had incredible length and was silky smooth. Spectacular wine. 97-98 pts
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/8/2012 - King JR wrote: 88 Points
Rather disappointing. Took out of 52 degree cellar and let sit for about an hour. Decanted for about 30 minutes. Never really came to life. Subdued bottle. O is uaually my favorite Super Tuscan. Hopefully this was an "off" bottle. Will try again soon.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2012 - DAN BAILEY wrote:
Very rich, almost OTT compared with the 04 Cos it was paired with. Still quite a dry finish. Perfectly drinkable but with none of the extra dimension of some other recent vintages.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2012 - phlegls wrote: 94 Points
Wow
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2012 - Fishboy wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with previous bottle
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2011 - Tarrant wrote: 96 Points
(No Formal Tasting Notes) New Year's Eve wine number 9 - The red of the evening, aerated for a couple of hours and it was simply stunning, great fruit, complexity, intensity and vibrancy, probably another case of infanticide but drinking well now with the staying power for many, many years to come (96 Points).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/15/2011 - bvilleguy wrote: 91 Points
Dark berry, cassis, currant, complex bouquet. Very bold but smooth on the palette with a complex lamb tagine dish. Probably will improve over next several years
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2011 - La Grappe wrote: 93 Points
Powerful, intense, smoky, with good structure and length; a very fine Italian, combining the complexity of top claret with a distinctive Tuscan character. Vigorous and very long.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/10/2011 - LPskeleton wrote: 95 Points
Wow, this wine grabs your attention with high intensity deep savory tones of ink, tobacco, maduro cigar wrapper, dark chocolate and espresso...all that savory tuscan love is here. Silky in the mouth with young but ripe plump tannin. Similar flavors to the nose....dark roasted and complete. Great 45 sec finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/5/2010 - Fishboy wrote: 93 Points
Young but a great wine with dark fruit, old world notes, spice and a nice finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/24/2010 - AMM3RD wrote: 94 Points
This was wonderful wine, delicious from the first sip. Ripe dark fruit, spice and balance. Wish I had, more, more, more...AMM
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/8/2010 - chatters wrote:
Voyager Estate Masterclass 2010 (North Sydney Cellars): Nose: chocolate and black currant
Mouth: bitter and tannic, very tannic, medium acidity and, under this, some fruit. Needs more time. Far too young. As it is, it's not very pleasant. Come back in ten years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/13/2010 - Arcturus wrote: 94 Points
On the nose, mineral, coffee grounds, black currant and musk (that I get in barbera d' alba sometimes). ..Palate-solid foundation,bitter dark chocolate- layered structure, nice balance of tannin, acidity and dark fruit. Bold, brooding wine. Best to hold but fun to drink now...94+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2010 - willthethrill wrote: 94 Points
Dark dark purple. Currant and small berry nose. As Barbara B so accurately describes: "On palate, wow! Savoury, subtle ripe dark fruit, sweet spices, slight hint of oaky vanilla; moderately high acidity, high alcohol, silky textured tannins. Full bodied, long, rich, hugely complex; could taste it for hours." I could not agree more. This wine is extraordinary. The tannins are so balanced with the fruit...magic.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2009 - brigcampbell wrote: 96 Points
New Years 2010 (Graney's house in Dana Point, CA): An '05 from Italy drinking this well already? Amazing. Extremely dark wine, almost black in the decanter. Looked like motor oil. Huge nose of blueberry/strawberry jam. very long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/7/2009 - peeks13 wrote: 93 Points
A Night of Classic Cabernet (9/23/2009) (Wine Discount Center Barrington): The Italian terroir smell that I love wasn't there (minus 1) but the taste was.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2009 - MatthewF wrote:
A Weekend of Excess; 7/24/2009-7/25/2009 (Chicago/Northbrook, IL): Spicy dark currant and berry nose with wet stone and some new leather. Lush palate, great acidity and very tannic. Long finish. Excellent wine and I look forward to seeing it in the future.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2009 - psmith wrote:
Birthday Weekend; 7/23/2009-7/25/2009 (Chicagoland): Big wine misplaced in a rather elegant lineup, which didn't give this the respect it probably deserves. Dark red fruits. Tart, big structure. Cassis notes. Fine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/20/2009 - psmith wrote:
Nowhere close to the ripeness of an '06 enjoyed last week; still, dark cabernet-inspired fruits and more new-world styling than many prior vintages. Medium body. Medium grain tannins. Enjoyable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2009 - robertek wrote: 95 Points
2005 Bordeaux blends (Stockholm): The WOTN for me but for the team it ended up in second place. Full of black currant, truffels, champignons, cedar, dark cholocate and coffee och the nose. On the palate it has an extremly long after taste and masses of sweet licorice along with a strong backbone of tannins avoiding a one dimensional structure. Great wine that will not have the longevity of the Bordeaux's but is cleraly better at this point and probably for the next five years or so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/9/2009 - ews3 wrote: 90 Points
Wine Spectator Grand Tour 2009 (Borgata -- Atlantic City, NJ): very fruity, red character. some sweet leather. finish lasts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/19/2009 - LPskeleton wrote: 96 Points
Very floral with chocolate mineral plum and cigar wrapper. Velvet texture, toast, blk cherry, Mineral, bitter choc, plums. Graphite.
Structured and long w a firm sense of minerality.
96
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2009 - Phin wrote: 94 Points
Red fruits with a little black. Medium body with smoky depth. Slippery feel.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2008 - Double-A Likes this wine: 93 Points
Aromatic, currant, new leather, toast, and mocha nose. Rich, assertive and spicy palate; complex and very well-balanced; long, finishing.
4.5/5
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/14/2008 - Wrighty wrote: 92 Points
Maxxium Grand Tasting (Marriot Hotel, Hong Kong): This is built to last. Hints of vanilla and redcurrant. Fine tannins and again hints of vanilla and redcurrant on palate. Good finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2008 - peblin wrote:
Månadsprovning Munskänkarna: Dark, almost black color. Wonderful somewhat sweet smell with vanilla, fudge, coffe, blackcurrant. Complex. Full++ body with tannins that could dehydrate a cow. Very long taste and very elegant. A great wine that needs to lie down for another ten years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2008 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
This wine could come from anywhere.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/13/2008 - Barbara B wrote: 95 Points
20th Anniversary for Ornellaia (Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rome): From Magnum. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Ornellaia 20th Anniversary bottling. Purple core, ruby rim. Great nose of small red fruits, a little toasted/roasted character, clean earth, rich minerality. On palate, wow! Savoury, subtle ripe dark fruit, sweet spices, slight hint of oaky vanilla; moderately high acidity, high alcohol, silky textured tannins. Full bodied, long, rich, hugely complex; could taste it for hours. Best of the flight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2008 - WineForRob wrote: 95 Points
Wine Spectator Grand Tour (Las Vegas): Super fresh aromas of raspberry and currant. Some cocoa and oak with a very soft approachable mouth feel. Acidity is present but buried under silk while the tannins coat your mouth and stay there for minutes. Nice
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment