Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2004

€318.66

VAT included

Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2004

Ornellaia 2004 is one of the great names of Bolgheri DOC Superiore, a Bordeaux-inspired “Super Tuscan” that combines Mediterranean power and Atlantic elegance. The 2004 harvest is often remembered as a classic year in Bolgheri: textbook weather, with good rainfall in winter, a bright spring, and a regular summer (hot and sunny August), allowing for complete ripening without haste and a harvest without rain to interfere. The result is a red wine of enormous definition, designed to age with class.

Vinification: In the winery, the grapes are harvested by hand and undergo double selection (before and after destemming). Each variety and parcel is vinified separately, resulting in dozens of base wines. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel at 26–30 °C, followed by 18 days of maceration. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels and the wine ages for 18 months in (mostly new) barriques, with the final blend defined after 12 months; it then rests for 12 months in the bottle before being released onto the market.

Tasting notes (producer): a rare combination of maturity, complexity, and finesse: the velvety opulence of Merlot is balanced by the fine, elegant structure of the Cabernets, with an extra touch of tension from the Petit Verdot. Excellent with prime cuts of meat, game, and mature cheeses.

Grape varieties: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot.

Wine Type: Red Wine
Format: 0,75L
Vintage: 2004
Country: Italy
Region: Toscânia
Robert Parker: RP95
Wine Spectator: 97
Wine Enthusiast: 98
James Suckling: 96
Jancis Robinson: 17.5
Vinious: 98

In stock 4 Items

Silky, perfumed and polished, the 2004 Ornellaia is a fabulous example of the vintage. From magnum, the 2004 is exceptionally youthful and super-finessed, with expressive, floral aromatics and layers of finely-knit fruit. What else can I say? The 2004 is tremendous. (AG)

This is a really balanced and beautiful year with chocolate, currant and walnut character. Medium body and fine and silky tannins. Shows autumnal and light mushroom undertones. Just moving into its maturity. A warm yet fresh vintage. Ready to drink.

This is a hopelessly gorgeous wine with so much energy, intensity, density and good cheer. The superb ensemble—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot—delivers chocolate fudge, ripe cherry, rhubarb, cola, tobacco and cedar wood. It’s tight and supple, with seamless harmony and excellent succulence on the finish. But it’s that incredible intensity that truly sets this wine apart. *Cellar Selection*

Dark ruby-purple in color, with complex aromas of dark chocolate, cola, vanilla, cedar and currant. Full-bodied yet ultra refined, with dense, seamless, caressing tannins. Everything is in the right proportion. Superb. *Ranked #7 in Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2007, Collectible* (JS)

This strong series of 2004s continues with the gorgeous 2004 Ornellaia. A lively dark ruby, it is a vibrant effort bursting with expressive aromatics and layered, well-delineated fruit, showing much purity on the palate and closing with a long, finessed finish. Readers hoping to catch this wine’s full array of nuances will have to wait at least another few years as the wine remains quite primary today. This exquisite effort is not to be missed. A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2019.

Lush and sweet, almost like sugared damsons on the nose. Less savoury than the 2001 though as it opens, it has something akin to eucalpytus. Dry and dusty on the palate and much less fleshy than I expected. But becomes more savoury and leathery as it opens up and spreads across the mouth. Some chocolate in the flavour rather than the texture. (JH)

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