Ornellaia 2023

This legendary red wine originates from Italy, specifically from the prestigious Bolgheri Superiore DOC within the Tuscan coast. Founded in 1981 by Marquis Lodovico Antinori and currently owned by the historic Marchesi de' Frescobaldi family, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia stands as an iconic pioneer of the Super Tuscan movement. The estate's winemaking philosophy focuses on a Bordeaux-inspired approach, meticulously managing a complex mosaic of marine, alluvial, and volcanic soils to craft a Grand Vin that beautifully mirrors the power, elegance, and Mediterranean soul of its unique coastal terroir.

Wine Description

The 2023 Ornellaia displays an intense, deep, and brilliant ruby red colour with a vibrant appearance in the glass. On the nose, it unveils a highly expressive, botanical, and complex bouquet filled with ripe blueberry and blackberry aromas, beautifully accented by hints of toasted almonds, cocoa, and fragrant Mediterranean shrubs like thyme and rosemary. The palate is generous, full bodied, and deeply concentrated, yet it surprises with a remarkably plush, velvety, and delicate texture. Flavours of dark cherry, plum, mocha, and subtle savory spices are underscored by a striking energy and a vibrant streak of acidity, showing a masterfully finessed through line that avoids any excess over ripeness. The finish is exceptionally enduring and sustained by silky, finely chiseled tannins that provide great structural elegance. Composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot, this vintage represents the debut of ex-Bordeaux technical director Marco Balsimelli. Each parcel was vinified separately before undergoing a double-barrel aging regime in French oak (65% new) for a total of 15 months, creating a harmonious and seamless profile built to evolve beautifully in the cellar from 2027 through 2050.

Vintage Quality

The 2023 growing season in Bolgheri was demanding but ultimately highly successful, marked by an exceptionally rainy spring that filled vital underground water reserves. A warm summer followed, and while a lower daytime average temperature in August slowed maturation, perfect conditions arrived in September with dry days and cool nights, allowing winemakers to harvest beautifully balanced fruit at optimum phenolic maturity.

Accolades

100 Points - Jane Anson:Moreish, confident and well judged, this is smoky yet ethereal, muscular yet light, wonderfully juicy and fragrant, with a perfectly judged blend of lightness of touch set against an unmistakable punch of damson, loganberry and red cherry fruits. Liquorice, tapenade and slate ensure the texture is slow and steady, and this is just a fabulous wine. Marco Balsimelli director, 65% new oak for ageing.

98 Points - Wine Advocate:The Ornellaia 2023 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot, and it is worth noting that Merlot remains present at nearly the same percentage as previous years, despite the greater challenges faced by early-ripening varieties in this mildew-prone vintage. Careful fruit selection made the difference. The wine shows impressive richness and concentration with a bouquet that leans botanical and complex, marked by dark fruit, Mediterranean thyme and rosemary. The nose was slightly closed when I tasted the wine, but it will open. The texture is velvety and polished, delivering beautiful richness with a sense of succulence that feels expansive on the palate. According to proprietor Lamberto Frescobaldi, the goal is to establish a clear through line focused on freshness and balancing fruit and spice while avoiding excess ripeness. This is a meticulously made Ornellaia that captures the vintage with remarkable elegance. The wine was bottled in July 2025 and is scheduled for release in March 2026.