Tenuta dell 'Ornellaia Website
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Tenuta dell'Ornellaia
Order Tenuta dell'Ornellaia »
Top Vintages Produced: |
Ornellaia: 1990, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006
Masseto: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007
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Classification: |
Ornellaia – Bolgheri DOC Superiore
Masseto – IGT Toscana
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Varieties: |
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese.
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Wines Produced: |
Ornellaia – First Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (27%), Cabernet Franc (14%), Petit Verdot (4%)
Masseto – Merlot (100%)
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History
Founded in 1981 by Lodovico Antinori, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia is located in Bolgheri, a region which
sits on the northwest coast of Italy. The winery produces wines known as ‘Super Tuscan’s’ because they utilise
international varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon instead of, or in concert with, traditional
varieties such as Sangiovese.
Lodovico slowly built up the estate, developing the facilities and nurturing the vineyards. In 1985, the
first vintage of the estate's flagship wine, Ornellaia, was produced. It became an instant global success almost
overnight. Banking on the prediction that the region’s unique microclimate and soil composition would particularly
favour the growth of Merlot, several years later, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia started producing Masseto as well.
Masseto is unusual in that it is an Italian wine made entirely from Merlot, and it too has become an international collectable.
(read more)
In 1999 Mondavi of California became minority shareholders in the winery and by 2002 the company had acquired the
entire property. Mondavi subsequently sold half of the shares to the Italian Frescobaldi family, and the
Frescobaldi’s eventually took full control of Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia in 2005.
Viticulture and Vinification
The estate covers nearly 200 hectares and the topographical diversity of this large area benefits the production
of complex and layered red wines. The soil is comprised of marine, alluvial and volcanic deposits and the Ornellaia
vines are grown on a mixture of sand and clay. The vines used to produce Masseto thrive in the areas that are
particularly clay-rich and which are covered with jagged pebbles.
Axel Heinz, who heads the winemaking team at Ornellaia, ensures that yields are strictly limited during harvest.
Each parcel is carefully hand-picked and vinified separately. These individual lots are aged in barriques for 12
months before the final Ornellaia blend is assembled. The blend is then returned to the barriques for another 6
months of ageing. Masseto is produced in a similar manner however it is aged for a full year after the blend is
assembled instead of 6 months. Both wines are aged in bottle for an additional 12 months prior to release.
First introduced in 1997, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia is considered the ‘Second Wine’ of Ornellaia and is mainly
produced from the estate’s younger vineyards. Le Volte is an additional estate label - a generous wine with structure
and complexity. Le Volte combines the lushness of Merlot, the firm body of Cabernet Sauvignon and the brightness of
Sangiovese. Up until 2002 the estate also made a Sauvignon Blanc but presently only red wines are produced.
Classification
- Ornellaia – Bolgheri DOC Superiore
- Masseto – IGT Toscana
- Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia – Bolgheri DOC Rosso
- Le Volte – IGT Toscana
Varieties
Varieties cultivated include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese.
Wines produced:
- Ornellaia – First Wine: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot
- Masseto – 100% Merlot
- Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia – Second Wine: 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot
- Le Volte – 50% Sangiovese, 40% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Order top vintages of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia
- Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Ornellaia 2006: (97 AG)
"The 2006 Ornellaia flows from the glass in a profound expression of ripe, dark fruit..." – Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate
- Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Masseto 2006: (99 AG)
"A wine of breathtaking depth, it also reveals superb clarity, freshness and vibrancy in a sumptuous, beautifully-balanced style..." – Antonio Galloni,
The Wine Advocate
- Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Masseto 2001: (97 AG)
"The 2001 is an extraordinary Masseto, bursting with layers of vibrant fruit..." – Antonio Galloni,
The Wine Advocate
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us via email or call us on +44 (0) 20 3219 5588.
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