2003 Ornellaia
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Tasting notes
2003 was a hot vintage all over Europe, and here at Ornellaia only 14mm of rain fell from May through to the beginning of September - with harvest delayed despite the heat until September 10 to ensure phenolic maturity. At 20 years old it shows a surprisingly fresh mint leaf and eucalyptus character. This is a delicious and enticing wine, sappy and full of spice, wtih the rosemary, cumin and turmeric notes of a hot year. Vibrant fruit also, with tannins that are drawn out and elongated. As it opens, the tertiary notes become clearer, with blue cheese, mushroom, soy and salty cracker - doesn't hold up in the glass as well as some of the other vintages, this is a great moment to drink. Highest amount of Cabernet Franc in the blend to date, helps no doubt to give the fresh edge to the ripe fruits. Careful grape sorting was key both before and after destemming, to ensure no shrivelled grapes got through, and the result was 30% lower yield than normal. 70% new oak, Thomas Duroux winemaker.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2003 Ornellaia (magnum) is another impressive wine. Owing to the heat of the vintage, this is an especially ripe, opulent Ornellaia. The blend contains a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc and less Merlot than is the norm, which helps preserve a measure of freshness. It is also the first vintage where Petit Verdot is part of the blend. Dark, jammy fruit is nicely balanced by a vein of minerality that gives the wine clarity and length, yet the tannins are a touch less finessed than in the finest years, which is consistent with the quality of the vintage. The final blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, aged a total of 18 months in French oak, 70% new. This is without question a very impressive 2003.
Very opulent, sweet ripe, 'hot' nose. Velvety start to the palate and then the dry tannins kicked in with a little bit of rawness. Lacks the polish of most Ornellaias but certainly dramatic heatwave stuff. (JR)
About the producer
Based in the foothills of Bolgheri, Ornellaia is one of the original Super Tuscans, making some of Italy’s finest Cabernet blends. Created by Lodovico Antinori, today the estate is owned by the Frescobaldi family, which also owns sibling property Masseto.