Five half bottles Ornellaia
Produced by Tenuta dell’Ornellaia
2003 vintage
Bolgheri, Toscana/Italy
Original filling quantity: 0.375 l
Fill level: into neck
Antonio Galloni (2010): 93/100
James Suckling (2006): 92/100

This lot comprises five half bottles of 2003 vintage Ornellaia produced by Tenuta dell’Ornellaia in Bolgheri.

Bolgheri is a small town in the Maremma, the southern part of Tuscany, which gained recognition for its role in the revival of Italian premium red wine. Historically, the wine-growing country is hardly steeped in heritage, especially when compared to Chianti, however pioneer vintners triggered a new era of Italian premium winegrowing here at the end of the 1960s. Wines including Tignanello, Sassicaia and Orenellaia were produced by members of Tuscan wine dynasty Antinoir in Bolgheri. These wines were not like traditional Sangiovese regarding taste and structure, but rather characteristic of French types, such as Merlot, Cabernet and, later, Syrah. They were therefore initially only allowed to be marketed as Vini da Tavola. However, these wines were more than just fashionable, they established a new notion of taste and style for Tuscan red wine. Their immense success led to them being recognized as DOC wines during the 1990s. Their style of winegrowing was also innovative – they used barriques, small wooden oak barrels, which was not usual for Tuscany. The best of these Super Tuscans have proved to be of stable value and long-lasting.

The 2003 vintage Ornellaia was rated 93 points by Antonio Galloni for Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate in 2010. The wine was rated 92 points by James Suckling.for Wine Spectator in 2006.

The fill level are excellent (into neck). The labels and capsules are in perfect condition.

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia was founded in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast in 1981 by Ludovico Antinori, a member of the famous wine dynasty hailing from the city of Florence. From the onset, the aim was to produce fine wines in the Sassicaia style of neighboring Tenuta San Guido. Wines, which on the one hand consist of French grape types Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, simultaneously express the special terroir of the region, therefore making them typical Italian wines rather than simply Bordeaux copies.

The first wine to be produced in this manner was Ornellaia in 1985. By the mid-90s it had reached cult status in Italy and the whole world. A year later, ‘the‘ Italian Merlot arrived on the scene. Despite competition from the Messorio or the wines of Miani, the Masseto counts for many as the very best in Italy when it comes to this particular grape. However, everyone must determine for themselves whether they find this to be true. In any case, this is in a league with the most prominent Pomerol wines, including Petrus.

Serre Nuove is produced alongside these wine monuments as an almost equal ‘second wine’ of the Ornellaia, along with the Le Volte as an introductory wine. In 2002, Ornellaia was divided between Robert Mondavi and Frescobaldi, the other famous wine estate from Florence. The Frescobaldie are the exclusive owners. The wine has not suffered a subsequent drop in quality as a result.

Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.