Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 2005
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 2005, recently released and enjoyed here in la belle paese is another of those 2005 vintage Super Tuscans, usually such a flag bearer for Italian wine, that might have suffered from the wet and wild 2005 Tuscan weather. Bad vintages set apart great winemakers and Tenuta dell’Ornellaia have a sterling reputation and team Axel Heinz/Leonardo Raspini go to work to ensure, if grapes ripen Ornellaia reach excellence. They released 2005 and im pleased they did, for what we have here, like the Tignanello 2005, is a wine more quickly approachable and at prices that are not going to smash through the roof (not that €92 is small potatoes but it’s far less than the 2004). This producer was far more upbeat about 2005 than Antinori was about their 2005 Tignanello but, how much of this is a positive spin on a bad vintage? I’ll let you decide. Tenuta dell’Ornelellaia produce a top quality Merlot, the Masseto, together with Redigaffi probably Italy’s finest, but their most interesting wine is this one, the Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia blended effort, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. These wines, in great vintages are even spoken about in the same breath as Lafite and the Italian wine community are very proud of this vino. Exporting well to the US where Wine Spectator, Tanzer and Parker also wax lyrical about the wine, we are talking about a world famous and celebrated wine, did 2005 hold up?
Um. Kinda. Almost. Well, not really. At €92 and 92 points I wouldn’t fill my cellar with this wine, but, it’s Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia, it’s going to sell, restaurants will be snapping this up and marking it up thru the roof and, at this price, if you’ve always wanted to try this wine, if it is your life’s ambition, then this can seem like an attractive proposition. It’s a good wine, it’s just not “a smart buy”.
*** Now, as a reward for reading this far and because last week the blog received over 500 readers a day I am going to run a competition in celebration! All you have to do for free vino is leave a comment! That’s it, simple pimple. I am going to choose one comment leaver, at random, and send to them FOR FREE, FOR NOTHING, AS A GIFT, GRATIS, 6 bottle of Cellar Door vino just because I have love! Of course you must be over 18 and, sorry, must live in Europe (inc Ireland and the UK). Leave a comment on this blog entry any time before 4pm Friday 11th of July. ***
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 2005 – PASS – €92
Interesting dark ruby red in the glass, a lovely generous nose filled with mocha, chocolate cherries, spices and some light oak. Surprisingly mid bodied but drinking very well, nice length to the finish, nice rich mouth feel, well structured and a pleasant palate flavour profile of blueberries and coffee. Drinking too well today, if such a thing can be claimed! 92 Points
Like the Tignanello 2005, this wine should be maturing in a couple of years. 2004 was an outrageous vintage and 2006 sounds far more promising so if it really, really is your life’s ambition, and you have exactly €92 in your pocket. Then shoot!
Where can I buy this wine?
Europeans – Nettari Etruschi – €92
Americans – Sterling Fine Wines – $129
Leave a comment!
So here we are, competition time, let’s see how many of you are attracted to freebies!
So for a free 6 pack of wine, leave a comment and answer this question…
“If you were a bottle of wine…. (see where this is going?) what bottle of wine would you be”?
Go varietal or producer name, go Italian or Californian I care not!
I’d be an Australian Syrah, strong, long lasting and explosive in the mouth.
solomon.david28@gmail.comSorry, forgot to add.
Free wine ya say? 😀 hahahttp://www.twitter.com/rrittenhouserobert@tadstech.com
Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino, rare, delicious and better with age.
2005 Hess Cabernet Sauvignonwine@peterdorsi.com
I’ll take a look at this :oDIf a wine were to encompass my personality, would be something that changes over the tasting experience with a long sweet finish.A dessert wine.
I would be a Chilean Shiraz. Aside from being powerful I upset the once traditional way of things, unsung, under valued, and on occasion can best the well established and over priced.
Guys GuysPut your email address’ down. I need to be able to contact you to get your address to send the case to!Don’t worry, Im not adding you to any mailing lists!
Naturally 1 bottle of Grand Cru Chambertin Clos de Bèzeazanetti74@gmail.com
bradmcmahon@gmail.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
I’d be a bottle of old tawny port. Hints of nuttiness 😉
http://www.twitter.com/ikeifgod.dreams AT gmail.com
I enjoy reading your blog and following you on Twitter.If I were a wine, I’d be an aged Barolo, smooth,dry and strong, filled with character.
I would be a bottle of Madeira, dusty and sitting in a crate in the hold of a pirate ship.effendi13@gmail.com
free as in free wine!? Sign me up!tehsiblog {at} gmail {dot} com
OK, once again Proseco, or a nice Pinot Grigio, and there are two many of each to really make a choice.
YesFree as in Free Vino! :oD*looks at watch*Nothing like a freebie guys huh? :oDWine90 comment record on its way mefinks! xx
I’d be an en primeur Bordeaux or young Barolo- an unknown quantity, a bit all over the place with a good deal of potential as long as you have the patience!email: sup@sourgrapes.ie
If I were a wine?I want to say a sleak Burgundy but the truth is more like an Asti Spumante.maggieroberts5@gmail.com
Brilliant! I wish I’d thought of it. My email is at my site, http://2daysperbottle.blogspot.com. (posting it at a place like this is a poor idea- an invitation for spammers)
If I were a wine, I’d be the dusty bottle in the corner of the store, in the $10 bargain bin. Unpretentious, unassuming, but when opened and revealed, comes to life with an unexpected surprise that reveals true character and liveliness, and makes one remember why the enjoyment of wine is so closely tied to the enjoyment of life.Or a 97 Brunello. heh.gsherman@gmail.com
Anyone who doesnt want to post their emails here by doing a trick like thiswine90 AT gmail.comCan always email me, at, well… wine90 at gmail.com
Well, I’d certainly love 6 bottles of wine, especially at the price you’re talking! 🙂
You’re a super star, Irish Blog site SourGrapes.ie says so!
If I was a bottle of wine I would be something deep and sensual, red obviously, with a spicey edge, warming, rounded, a friendly outlook and with a cheeky edge. But let it breath and discover hidden depths. Hopefully of a vintage that is in for the long haul
damn forgot the email wine.scribbler@gmail.com
That’s a tough question…seeing as how I like so many wines! I’d say, right now, I’m fruity yet racy < HREF="http://www.winelog.net/wines/wine/41512" REL="nofollow">2007 Georis Carmel Valley Les Abeilles Rosé<>. It’s summer and a friggin’ heat wave here in the Bay!(Ward at WineLog.net)
I’m in. I think I would be a pleasant spanish Rioja. Firm but fun.
If i was a bottle of wine i’d definitely be half fullrnicgabhann at g mail dot comGood luck with the comp and congrats on the cewebrity 🙂
Forza free buttery & spicy wines.
I’d be a luscious 1999 Dievole Toscana Broccato – bold, spicy, complex, sweet on the finish and oh, so hard to get.
I’d also be a little forgetful. Reach me at vpaxton [at] allegromedical [dot] com.
I’d be a bottle of 1990 Fuligni Brunello.Unfortunately I can’t win since I live in Canada. Oh well.Also, I have to say that I’ve never really been blown away by Tignanello (I realize this should have gone in the Tig post). The 1988 was really nice, the 1997 was also good but still a tad young for my liking. The 1990 was alright – actually a little disappointing. The other vintages I’ve had including 1991 and 1998-2003 just don’t hit the mark when considering the price tag next to it. It’s not something that I add to my cellar. In case anyone was wondering, the price here wad $90CAD for the 2004 and $100CAD for the 2005.
it’s taken me awhile to decide…i grew up in california, and my hair is strawberry kissed, so perhaps i’d make a nice californian rose, sun ripened, berry sweet, pinkness…but then again, i have been living in germany for over 10 years. maybe i’ve become more like a riesling over time…no, no…i am champagne. maybe laurent perrier rose champagne. because i’m still as bubbly and pink as i ever was.
A tricky question.I would be one of those wines in the cardboard boxes. Cheap and easy flowing
If I were a bottle a wine I’d be a bottle of Dutch Wine. Most people will simply laugh, but if you look around you can find a few excellent examples out there.jphartley@gmail.com
Sorry, forgot to leave my email above. It’s anthonylavista@comcast.net
Great Competition Wine 90 !I think that I would be a Western Australian Cabernet. Classic, bright, sunny and gets better with time !info@robertfranciswine.ie
I’d be an Arbios Cabernet. A blend of single vineyard berries painstakingly cultivated from around Sonoma county and artfully combined into a memorably smooth yet complex wine.
worldwinetours@hotmail.com
I would be a Penn’s woods Ameritage. Big, bold, vibrant, sexy and is grown locally. KInda like the girl next door, but with an edge. Christineolmsted@live.com
futronic I know! It’s a small crime to say anything any Tig around there parts. For drinking today I’d take the 05 over the 04. Tig is a nice wine, just not 4th best wine of the year nice.
woo hoo free wine.. I am crossing my fingers.
Too bad you are discriminating against us Americanos, but I envy the person who wins!I’m happy to say that we get a lot of great Italian wines here courtesy of Nardone Wines http://www.nardonewines.com and Salvatore Lembo of Firenze Ristorante http://www.firenzerestaurant.com .
I’d be a Gartner Cab-Sav from the Coonawarra region in South Australia.Awesome little find, takes some effort to find me, much better than the so-called big Brand names, and no longer available 😉michaelq at gmail.com
well, i’m obligated, due to my last name, to go with a Lindeman’s, probably a cab. it’s kinda nice having the same name as a cheap wine label, i can pull off the “yeah, it’s my family’s label in australia” all the time. i think it is partially true 😉lindenator@gmail.com
Sarah:I would say out of the wines offered from Antinori, my favourite (and most consistent) wine would be the Chianti Classico Riserva Tenuta Marchese. Considering it goes for somewhere between $36-40CAD, I’d rather take 2.5 bottles of the Tenuta Marchese over a single bottle of Tig. Especially with the quality of the 1997, 1999 and 2001. The 2001 in particular was stunning. I’m really looking forward to the 2004!Their other Chianti Classico Riserva, Badia a Passignano is not my style as I find it too international, extracted, and full of oak.
Free wine–yay! -Tina
Ohh well if I were a wine during the summer, I’d be a french rosé. During the winter…. I have to think about that one awhile 😉