($150) Medium-deep red. Very intense flavors of dark plum, asphalt and gunflint, with a touch of herbal smokiness. The wine's fine-grained texture and harmonious acids bring its fruit and mineral flavors into focus, but this is a delicate, restrained version of Ornellaia. Finishes smooth and adequately long. Offers excellent potential in the context of the vintage.

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Very dark. Good lift on the nose. Very sweet overall ? those black cherries again ? and without quite the structure of the 2001. There?s just a very slight hole on the mid palate ? presumably a vintage deficiency despite the strict selection. Stoniness on the finish. But a noble attempt to include some of the terroir effect. 14.5% CS:M:CF 65:30:5 110,000 bottles

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The estate's 2002s show why Tenuta dell'Ornellaia is one of Italy's premier properties. Those obsessed with points will chase the higher rated 2003s and 2004s, but consumers who buy wines to drink them would do well to consider these 2002s especially given that pricing should be favorable. The 2002s are by no means the equal of the estate's top wines but they will offer useful drinking while the more important vintages reach maturity. The 2002 Ornellaia (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot) is an astoundingly good wine considering the vintage. A vibrant dark ruby/violet, it offers suggestions of herbs, tobacco, earthiness and dark red fruit with excellent length and notable structure. Although it doesn't have the concentration or length of the best vintages, it displays terrific overall balance and is undoubtedly a huge overachiever for which General Manager/Agronomist Leonardo Raspini and his entire team deserve much credit.

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Aromas of currants, plums and hints of fresh herbs, rosemary in particular. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a subtle, refined finish. Very nice indeed for the vintage. 9,640 cases made.

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Absolutely fantastic wine. Really great vibrancy and length.Great spice and balance. Wish I had more.