TENUTA DELL'ORNELLAIA
TUSCANY, ITALY 2021
Why Buy: As you know well, Ornellaias are not easy to track down, but we've got 'em: and not one, not two, not three, but four — a cult-collectible quartet (including two from the superlative 2021 vintage) that serves as a dazzling and delicious testament to the craft, charm, and character that has turned this Super Tuscan into a supernova.
What They're Saying: Vinous hailed the Ornellaia 2021, in a 99-point tone poem, as a wine of "tremendous polish" that "captures all the magic of this sensational vintage on the Tuscan Coast." James Suckling was equally enamored of the Bianco from that same vintage, asking, in a 99-point rave, whether it just might be the "best white ever from here?" "Dense and focused," he called it, "but agile and lightly chewy," with "tension and framing that gives [it] real precision and intensity."
The Story: Founded in 1981, in Bolgheri, by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, Ornellaia quickly established itself as one of the premier estates in the world. The vineyards, planted in consultation with the famed oenologist André Tchelistcheff — known far and wide as the father of California Cabernet — are both kissed by the Tuscan sun and tempered by coastal breezes: the perfect one-two for transforming grapes into wines of power, elegance, and finesse. This exceptional terroir is backed by world-class winemaking facilities, an expert team, and ownership that remains committed, as ever, to honoring tradition and the methods of the ancients while never shying away from enlightened innovation.
Our Tasting Notes: More than being just quintessential expressions of the Ornellaia line, the two eponymous wines from 2021 have the look of lasting achievements — each ought to mature gracefully in the cellar for two, three decades, though, if you're at all like us, you'll be hard put to not pop the cork. Structure, length, depth, finesse: they're all here, along with a sublimity that can only come from that magical combination of terroir, time, patience, precision, and unerring expertise. Virtuoso wine-making, and of the most thrilling kind. The as-yet-unrated Le Serre Nuove is more Merlot-driven (with anywhere from 40%-60% of the varietal making up the final blend), and, despite its relative youth, does not lack concentration and depth. Or length and charm. The entry-level wine, the Poggio alle Gazze 2022, is stunning for the price, a reminder that a great estate is generally great at the low-end, too.
Fun Fact: Founder Antinori was also the force behind Masseto, an exceptional, Merlot-dominant expression that became an immediate and massive hit among collectors when it was first released, in 1984.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source directly from the estate, so you can be confident that your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Don't hesitate to secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2024. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Monday, April 1st, 2024.
