Tenuta dell'Ornellaia : Ornellaia 2023

Characteristics and tasting advice for Ornellaia 2023 from Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Tasting

Appearance

An intense, deep, and brilliant ruby red color characterizes this wine.

Nose

The bouquet reveals aromas of ripe fruit, notably blueberries and blackberries, alongside black fruit notes. Hints of toasted almonds, cocoa, and Mediterranean shrubs complete this generous aromatic profile.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is generous, full-bodied, and concentrated, with a delicate velvety texture. The whole stands out for its energy and vibrancy. The powerful structure expresses itself with finesse and balance, while the long finish is marked by silky, finely chiseled tannins.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with red meats and game.

Serving and cellaring

Ornellaia 2023 is best served between 60 and 64°F. Decanting for one hour will allow the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity.

An exceptional Super Tuscan from Bolgheri

The estate

Founded in 1981 by Marquis Lodovico Antinori, the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia extends over 115 hectares of vineyards in Bolgheri, in Tuscany. Now owned by the Marchesi de' Frescobaldi family, the estate has been managed by Axel Heinz since 2005. A pioneer of Super Tuscans, Ornellaia revolutionized Tuscan viticulture by adopting a Bordeaux-inspired approach with blends of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot. Parcel-by-parcel vinification and aging in French oak barrels lend the wines remarkable complexity and elegance, recognized worldwide.

The vineyard

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia oversees a vineyard that, thanks to its diverse exposures, benefits from both a refreshing sea breeze and natural protection from cold winter winds. Located near the hills of Bolgheri, this terroir owes its uniqueness to a mosaic of clay-sandy soils of marine, alluvial, and volcanic origin. It is within these preserved landscapes that the grape varieties used in the blend of these great wines from Bolgheri Superiore develop a pure and refined expression.

The wine

The Ornellaia 2023 vintage, the 18th edition of Vendemmia d’Artista, is themed “La Vitalità” (“Vitality”), a reflection on how long one can remain energetic and productive, and the effect of this state on the duration of life.

The artist chosen to interpret it is Marina Abramović. This Serbian artist, born in Belgrade, is a major figure who, since the 1970s, has helped establish performance as a recognized visual art form by pushing physical and emotional limits. She explains that she was inspired by the vision of leaves and black grape berries “vibrating,” like a vital force emerging from the spirit. For the bottle labels, her portrait is depicted as a contemporary medusa, whose hair becomes vine shoots laden with clusters, symbolizing abundance and vital energy.

The vintage

The winter of 2023 was marked by mild temperatures and average rainfall. Spring brought abundant rains that created significant water reserves, requiring careful vineyard management. The summer proved warm without being excessive, with occasional showers offsetting water stress. Rain at the end of August and cool nights in September promoted the development of aromatic complexity and acidity in the grapes.

Winemaking and aging

The Ornellaia 2023 harvest was carried out manually in 15 kg crates. The grapes underwent double manual sorting before and after destemming, complemented by optical sorting. Alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless steel and concrete vats at temperatures between 79°F and 86°F for one week. Each variety and each plot were vinified separately. Maceration lasted around 15 days, for a total vat time of approximately 3 weeks. Malolactic fermentation was mainly carried out in oak barrels, 70% new and 30% once-used. Aging then continued for approximately 18 months in barrels. After the first 12 months, the blend was made, and the wine returned to barrels for an additional 6 months. A further 12 months of bottle aging preceded its release.

Grape varieties

Cabernet sauvignon (55%), merlot (26%), cabernet franc (12%), petit verdot (7%).