Ornellaia

The 2021 and 2023 vintages share Ornellaia's plush depth but speak in different accents. The 2021 centres on blackcurrant and other dark fruits, framed by Mediterranean shrub, aromatic herbs, and cypress berry. Its palate is dense and precise, with fine tannins, vibrant freshness, and a long, energetic finish. The 2023 blend—55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot—shows blueberry and blackberry with toasted almond, cocoa, and the scent of Mediterranean vegetation. It is plush yet delicate, with vitality running through silky, chiselled tannins. Together, the vintages reveal the estate's balance of coastal generosity and structure: Cabernet gives line, Merlot brings texture, and the supporting varieties add perfume, spice, and persistence. Both deserve air, though their polished tannins and freshness also make them compelling candidates for patient cellaring. The 2021 is more herbal and tightly drawn, while the 2023 offers rounder fruit whose cocoa and almond details emerge with time.

Serve around 16–18°C and decant generously, especially for the younger vintage. Roast lamb, beef tenderloin, venison, duck, or braised short ribs work naturally with Ornellaia's dark fruit and polished tannins. Porcini, rosemary, thyme, black olives, grilled aubergine, lentils, and roasted root vegetables can echo its Mediterranean and cocoa-toned complexity. Choose savoury reductions rather than sweet glazes, and avoid fierce chilli or heavy smoke. Pecorino, aged Gouda, and mature Comté make excellent cheese partners. A side-by-side tasting is especially rewarding: use equal glasses to compare the 2021's herbal, blackcurrant precision with the 2023's blueberry, almond, cocoa, and silken vitality over time.

Ornellaia lies in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, where maritime influence, varied soils, and Bordeaux varieties combine in a distinctly Mediterranean setting. Vineyard parcels are harvested and vinified separately before the final blend is assembled, allowing the estate to preserve the character of individual sites and varieties. The 2023 matured for 18 months in barriques and then rested for a further 12 months in bottle before release. The 2021 likewise expresses the estate's meticulous parcel selection through density, aromatic detail, and freshness. Across both vintages, Ornellaia's identity rests on a dialogue between coastal ripeness and disciplined structure, producing wines of power that retain lift, perfume, and precision.

Store unopened bottles on their sides in a cool, dark, temperature-stable cellar. Protect from heat, sunlight, vibration, and sudden temperature changes. Serve around 16–18°C and decant according to vintage. Contains sulphites.