Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2011
Tax included.
Winery: Ornellaia
Vintage: 2011
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Drinking window: 2016 - 2035
Region: Bolgheri, Tuscany
Production: 160.000 bottles
THE ITALIAN GRAPE (95)
The 2011 Ornellaia captivates with its broad appeal while maintaining a distinct identity. I am utterly charmed by this vintage. The bouquet unfolds in rich, opulent waves, showcasing soft cherry and blackberry confit that take center stage. Subtle notes of leather, spice, and tar provide depth and complexity. While Ornellaia 2011 is already impressive, it is still youthful and promises even greater elegance with time. Patience will be rewarded—drink now or cellar until 2035 to experience its full potential. A remarkable wine with a bright future!
ROBERT PARKER (94)
The 2011 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia lives up to the legacy of this important wine, thanks to its extreme intensity and its skillfully crafted bouquet. The excellent quality of fruit stands clear, despite the heat of the vintage, with pristine notes of dark cherry, exotic spice and chocolate. This expression of Ornellaia is composed of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. The results are nothing short of exuberant and this vintage will reward both those who decided to drink it early, as well as those who have the patience to wait. The only slight ruffle in this otherwise gorgeous presentation is the 2011 tannin that feels a touch aggressive. For that reason, its probably better to put the wine aside in your cellar.
WINE SPECTATOR (96)
A dark and inky red, featuring violet, black currant, cedar, sandalwood and iron aromas and flavors. Nonetheless, this comes across as elegant, even as the tannins prove formidable on the finish. A terrific young wine in the making. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
About the wine
Founded by Lodovico Antinori in 1981, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia released its flagship wine, the Ornellaia Superiore, in 1985. Comprising a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, Ornellaia has earned renown as one of Italy’s foremost Bordeaux-style red wines. Additionally, the estate produces white wines, grappa, and olive oil. Situated along the Maremma coast in Bolgheri, Ornellaia is among the pioneering Super Tuscan producers in the region. Notably, the estate operates Ristorante Ornellaia, a one Michelin star restaurant in Zurich.
Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore is the flagship wine of Ornellaia. Alongside his brother Piero Antinori (Marchesi Antinori) and cousin Nicolo (Tenuta San Guido), Lodovico Antinori was among the first to introduce Bordeaux blends to Tuscan winemaking. Their success is remarkable; once downgraded to "vino di tavola," they are now internationally acclaimed as some of the world's finest and most collectible wines. Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. It matures for 18 months in French oak barriques.
The 2011 vintage of Ornellaia reflects a sun-soaked, early-ripening season that beautifully showcases the wine's character. A warm spring accelerated the vine growth cycle, while timely rains after flowering and during veraison supported optimal cluster development. A late-August heatwave advanced ripening, leading to a harvest that began in the last week of August and extended into late September under ideal sunny, dry conditions. The resulting wine presents a vibrant ruby-red hue with an aromatic bouquet of ripe, lively fruit, accented by subtle balsamic and toasty notes. On the palate, its powerful concentration is balanced by velvety-smooth tannins, offering a full, seamless mouthfeel without heaviness. The finish is exceptionally long, with spicy and crisp nuances that enhance its remarkable balance and depth.
