The 2011 Ornellaia is shaping up beautifully and starting to hit its stride nearly a decade after harvest. It begins with stunning aromatics of blackberries and cherries which are woven together with tobacco, pencil lead, dried spices and hints of floral nuances all take shape in the glass. On the palate this is medium to full-bodied and beautifully structured with velvety tannins and lovely underlying acidity framing the core of beautifully dark fruits. Everything comes together on the long graceful finish. While this is drinking remarkably well today, there is plenty of life left in this sensational wine and it should offer at least two more decades of enjoyment. The final blend was composed of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 11 Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. (JD)

A dark and fruity wine with aromas of brambleberries, plums, prunes, licorice, smoke, wood and a hint of flowers. Full-bodied with flavors of coffee grounds and chocolate, plus firm dusty tannins, sustained acidity and a polished finish. It’s slightly rustic yet savory. Drink now.

A dark and inky red, featuring violet, black currant, cedar, sandalwood and iron aromas and flavors. Nonetheless, this comes across as elegant, even as the tannins prove formidable on the finish. A terrific young wine in the making. *Collectibles, Top 100 Wines of 2014* (BS)