Ornellaia 2017

Lobenberg: Ornellaia könnte es blind mit einem großem Bordelaiser aufnehmen, keine Frage. Im Temperament bleibt er aber doch Italiener. Intensives Rot. Duftet nach vollreifen und frischen roten Früchten, leicht balsamisch, auch dezent neues Holz. Am Gaumen wohlstrukturiert, immens konzentriert. Bleibt sehr lange am Gaumen und besitzt diese feine Trüffelnote und Würze. Sehr geschliffen feines Tannin. 96-97+/100

James Suckling: A big, rich wine for the vintage, yet poised and lively with firm, chewy tannins that give form and intensity to the wine. It shows loads of blackberry, blackcurrant and walnut flavors. Ripe yet polished tannins. Give this three or four years to come together. 97/100 (2020)

Falstaff: Sattes, tiefdunkles Rubin mit Violettschimmer. Intensive und klar angelegte Nase, duftet nach Heidelbeeren, dunklen Ribiseln, dazu etwas Kardamom und Lakritze. Schmalzig und satt in Ansatz und Verlauf, viel reife dunkle Beerenfrucht, feines griffiges Tannin, im Finale fester Druck, endet auf Beerenfrucht und Lakritze. 97/100

Robert Parker: This vintage of Ornellaia is called Solare and represents the 12th edition in the estate's Vendemmia d'Artista series featuring artwork by Tomás Saraceno. His beautiful art depicts a radiant sun halo and is intended as a symbol of sustainability. That theme of sunshine and warmth is particularly well suited to a vintage such as this. The Ornellaia 2017 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is generous and fruit-forward with dense richness and concentration all driven by the smaller and more compact berry size that characterizes this dry, hot growing season. Black and purple fruits segue to spice, tobacco, leather and some of those beautiful Mediterranean notes of black olive and wild sage. These various moving pieces work together in perfect harmony. The tannins are beautifully managed here. If you consider the more astringent and rougher approach of the mid-tier Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia, this wine shows a whole other level of magnificent tannic management that could not have been easy given the diminutive berry size. This vintage sees a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard soils are characterized by reddish sand with calcareous rock. The wine is fermented in both stainless steel and cement and is transferred over to barrique to finish malolactic fermentation. It ages in barrique for 18 months followed by another 12 months in bottle. Some 150,000 bottles were released in April 2020. 96/100

Decanter: When to drink: 2026 to 2035 96/100

Vinum Wine Magazine: Überaus verführerische Aromatik nach roten Waldfrüchten, Wacholder, Blüten; der Auftakt mit Struktur und doch auch sehr viel elegantem Schliff, die Gerbstoffe präzise und sehr gut mit der Frucht ausbalanziert, wartet zum Abschluss mit einem ellenlangen Frucht-Trüffel-Erlebnis auf. Grosser Wein. 18,5/20

Jancis Robinson: Very deep blackish garnet. Hint of spearmint. Looks very glowing and glam. Rich and sweet on the nose. And then very refreshing and minerally on the finish. A little wood-shavings note but overall this is hugely pleasurable. Is this the Ornellaia? Really well balanced. Just a little bit of alcohol on the end. Rich and powerful. 18/20