Ornellaia
Bolgheri Superiore 2018
Italy & Spain
About the SessionThe Italian offering is led by the great Super Tuscans of Bolgheri and Chianti Classico, along with Brunello di Montalcino making a strong line-up. We are equally delighted to present some of Spain’s finest and most traditional houses from the renowned regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero, creating a compelling collection of distinguished Italian and Spanish wines.
LOT 43
Ornellaia
Bolgheri Superiore 2018
About this Item
Ornellaia is one of the great estates of Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, founded in 1981 by Lodovico Antinori and now owned by the Frescobaldi family. Its Bolgheri Superiore, a Merlot-and-Cabernet blend, is among Italy's most sought-after wines. 2018 was a classic Bolgheri vintage, and the first in which Merlot led the blend. Antonio Galloni from Vinous gave it a rating of 97, Bruce Sanderson from Wine Spectator and Monica Larner from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate each gave it 95, and Jancis Robinson gave it 17++ out of 20.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
"The 2018 Ornellaia is an introvert at this stage. Medium in body, with terrific persistence and impeccable balance, the 2018 is not in any mood to show all its cards today. Hints of red berry fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and dried flowers emerge with a bit of coaxing. Readers should expect a silky, aromatic Ornellaia in line with vintages such as 2004 that are more about finesse than raw power. This is the first time in which Merlot drives the blend in Ornellaia." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 97/100 (Dec 2020)
"Complex, sophisticated and harmonious, this pure red is marked by black currant, black cherry, cedar, iron and light spice flavors. Bright and focused, with refined tannins emerging on the spice-tinged finish. Discreet and stylish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot." - Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Aug 2021)
"The 2018 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is complete and seamlessly stitched together with extreme care and precision. This is an almost technical blend of Merlot (at 50% of the blend for the first time), 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot that offers a true sense of wholeness and consistency. Blackberry and dried cherry segue to spice, tar, campfire ash and more sweet fruit. This vintage of Ornellaia is surely destined to flesh out and grow more complex with age." - Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95/100 (May 2021)
"Deep glowing crimson. Restrained nose – more so than the Serre Nuove. This is all potential rather than actuality. Lots of dense fruit tucked in and quite a bit of tannin. Dry finish. Still a baby!" - Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, 17++/20 (Oct 2021)
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