Tenuta dell'Ornellaia was established by Marchese Lodovico Antinori of the Antinori family, behind one of Italy's most historic negociant firms,[3] with the help of winemaker Tibor Gál. The property is adjacent to Tenuta San Guido, producer of Sassicaia which is considered the seminal "Super Tuscan", and Ornellaia has been suggested to be Lodovico Antinori's competitive answer to his cousin Nicolò Incisa's Sassicaia, and his older brother Piero Antinori's Solaia.[4]
The vineyards of the estate were planted in 1981, producing the first vintage in 1985.[5][6] A modern winery was built in 1987, and a second 56-hectare (140-acre) property was later added, Bellaria, situated north of Bolgheri.
Robert Mondavi Winery took a minority interest in the estate in November 1999, and were full owners by 2002, while initiating a partnership with the Frescobaldi family.[7][8] In April 2005, Frescobaldi bought the remaining 50% shares of Ornellaia from Constellation Brands after their acquisition of Mondavi holdings, coming to own the whole estate.[9][10] Axel Heinz is the current winemaker with Michel Rolland, involved with the estate since its beginning, is retained as consultant oenologist.[11]
The sequence of ownership is featured in Jonathan Nossiter's film Mondovino and documentary series of the same name, which contain statements by Lodovico Antinori, and the Frescobaldi and Mondavi families then joint owners during the time of production, which displays opposing accounts on the events.[12]
A Salmanazar (9-litre bottle) of Ornellaia 2005 was sold for USD$ 33,600 at Christie's of New York
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Italy » Toscana IGT
Wine Advocate 91 You get excellent value with the entry-level 2016 Le Volte dell'Ornellaia. This vintage radiates freshness and sheer energy, thanks to the excellent material
Robert Parker 96 "This wine will be released in May 2016. The 2013 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is an integrated and seamless blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet
James Suckling 94 Plenty of blackberry and rust with tile and stone undertones. Full body, tannic and structured. A big and flavorful red. Better in 2020
Ornellaia, Estate’s flagship wine, was first produced with vintage 1985, from an extremely careful selection of the vineyards Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot,
Robert Parker 97 The 2006 Ornellaia flows from the glass in a profound expression of ripe, dark fruit. With time in the glass layers of minerals,
Wine Advocate 90 "A blend of Merlot (50%), Sangiovese (30%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), the 2013 Le Volte is a wine of great inner freshness and
Robert Parker 90 "The 2005 Le Volte (50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon) delivers considerable pleasure in its fresh, vinous aromatics, perfumed sweet dark
Wine Advocate 89 "The 2009 Le Volte is a pretty, radiant wine laced with expressive bright fruit. It shows the generous, inviting nature of the year
Robert Parker 94 "The 2005 Masseto (Merlot) is simply gorgeous. A wine of extraordinary class and personality, it remains very primary in its dark fruit, licorice,
" 50% Merlot, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon The 2010 harvest was late, but it was characterised in particular by clean, crisp aromatics. Le Volte dell’Ornellaia
" 50% Merlot, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon The 2011 harvest was late, but it was characterised in particular by clean, crisp aromatics. Le Volte dell’Ornellaia
" Le Volte dell’Ornellaia is the expression of a carefully crafted blend. The cuvée brings together the best terroirs of Tuscany and combines the Mediterranean
Vinous Media 90 "The 2013 Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia is polished and refined to the core. Mocha, smoke, black cherries, licorice, torrefaction and dark
James Suckling 90 "A refined and delicate red with plum and sweet berry. Lemon undertones. Medium to light body, fresh finish." Tenuta dell’Ornellaia have a production philosophy
James Suckling 92 A fine-grained and focused red with berry, coffee and spice aromas and flavors. Medium body and a clean finish. Extremely pretty and delicious
James Suckling 98 The blackberry and blueberry aromas with fresh sage and bay-leaf character are impressive. Stone, graphite and mineral undertones. Full body and silky and
Wine Advocate 92 "Lots of big, dark fruit and a lack of water in the grapes define the unique personality of the 2017 Le Volte dell'Ornellaia.
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