2010 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia "Ornellaia" Bolgheri Superiore

“How many dinners anywhere start with a wine on a level with the 2010 Ornellaia? I imagine not many. But that’s exactly the way we get going. Super-expressive aromatics soar out of the glass as the 2010 shows off its personality. Sweet herbs, tobacco, licorice, mocha and tar wrap around a core of intense dark fruit. Racy, powerful and majestic, the 2010 is a total stunner. (AG)” (12/2016)

“If they had not increased the Merlot to 40% of the blend in this moderate to cool vintage, they wouldn't have found the balance between firm bones from the Cabernet Sauvignon, and fleshy meat. The Merlot was harvested extremely late in October, lending an elegance of crystallised violets, fresh and precise cassis fruit and a white chocolate finish over leathery notes. The wine is full of earthiness and is dense and well-extracted over the mid-palate, with a creamy, classy cigar-box finish. (AF)” (02/2019)

“The 2010 Ornellaia celebrates the wine’s 25th anniversary, and it could not have been a more spectacular vintage. It opens with aromas of crushed blue flowers, black berries, pipe tobacco and thyme that give way to an elegant, structured and polished palate. It delivers intense blackberry flavors layered with white pepper, Mediterranean herbs, mineral and mocha brightened by fresh acidity alongside smooth, velvety tannins. This will age and develop for decades.” (01/2014)

“Poured from the special anniversary bottle, the 2010 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is a truly outstanding wine that leaves a lasting memory for those who are lucky enough to enjoy it. What stands out is the absolutely seamless-seamless-seamless (yes, it's worth repeating three times) integration of its many moving parts. The wine magically transitions from cherry, spice, chocolate and espresso in one melodic and continuous loop. It exudes balance and elegance over long, delicious minutes. It is profoundly impressive. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030. Of all the grapevines planted on the Ornellaia estate, the 2010 vintage showed best results with Merlot, says Leonardo Raspini. Because the harvest was later than usual, the early-ripening grape enjoyed a slow and steady evolution. (ML) 97+” (08/2013)

“A wine with a wonderful depth of berry, chocolate and hazelnut character. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a round and delicious finish. Fruit-forward and exuberant. More in your face fruit to this wine than in many past vintages. Enticing all the same. This comes in a special bottle commemorating the anniversary of the wine being on the market.” (11/2013)

“A muscular, impenetrable red, with tightly wound tannins guiding the black cherry, plum, herb, soy and oak spice flavors. Monolithic today, this needs time to find equilibrium. *Collectible* (BS)” (09/2013)

“53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Harvest mid Sept to 12 Oct. Malo mostly in barrel (70% new), 18 months in oak, blended after 12 months.Smells dark and a little cedary but it is inevitably pretty closed at this stage. Opens up to a fine subtle Bordeaux-like perfume. Plus lovely black olive notes and mocha. Smoky with quite a bit of oak but not particularly sweet from the oak, though there's oak spice and a light toastiness. Thick with tannins and oak influence, compact but very rounded. It is all texture at the moment and not a lot of flavour but it is beautifully textured and fresh and lithe. 19/20 points (JH)” (05/2013)