Ornellaia, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia's flagship wine, was first produced with vintage 1985. Produced in limited quantities, Ornellaia has constantly received top ratings from the most influential opinion leaders around the world.

Selecting only the best quality fruit in the vineyards, the clusters were carefully hand-picked. The grapes were then given a gentle pressing, and each separate grape variety and each vineyard block was fermented separately, for a total of 66 different base wines. The wines remained in barriques for 18 months in Tenuta dell'Ornellaia's temperature controlled cellars. After 12 months, the final blend was assembled from the base wines, and underwent six months of further ageing in barriques. The wine was then aged for 12 months in the bottle before release.

Additional tasting notes

Color : dark red

Nose : complex nose of black berries, spices and cedar

Mouth : rich and dense, balanced by a refined and firm tannic structure, lifted by a juicy and bright acidity

Alcohol level : 15.0%

Winemaking : 18 months in barriques

Food pairing : Fiorentina steak, Rossini tournedos, game, wild boar with porcini mushrooms and polenta, medium bodied cheese

Aging potential : 16 Years and >

Robert Parker : 94 : outsanding

Gambero rosso : 2 bicchieri rossi : Excellent wine

Robert Parker :

"The 2011 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia lives up to the legacy of this important wine, thanks to its extreme intensity and its skillfully crafted bouquet. The excellent quality of fruit stands clear, despite the heat of the vintage, with pristine notes of dark cherry, exotic spice and chocolate. This expression of Ornellaia is composed of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. The results are nothing short of exuberant and this vintage will reward both those who decided to drink it early, as well as those who have the patience to wait. The only slight ruffle in this otherwise gorgeous presentation is the 2011 tannin that feels a touch aggressive. For that reason, its probably better to put the wine aside in your cellar."