Grappa Ornellaia NV x 6 50cl, Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia

Ornellaia

Considering the global phenomenon that the wines of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia have become, it is easy to forget that this is a young estate founded as recently as 1981. Lodovico Antinori chose an idyllic site in the hills near Bolgheri, beautifully positioned on the gentle slopes above the coastal plain, to create a new estate, with the objective of producing a wine to rival the best in the world. As one would expect from this visionary mind, the site was not chosen for its looks but more to do with the fact that the land lies right next door to the great Bolgheri estate of Tenuta San Guido which makes Sassicaia.

Lodovico passed the baton to the very successful joint ownership of Marchesi de' Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi, which has today metamorphosed into ownership by Tenuta di Toscana,a company controlled by Marchesi de' Frescobaldi. This history matters since the different owners have given exceptional impetus to the fledging estate and ensured that their baby lacked for nothing (and most especially money) in the early stages of life. Ornellaia's development to date is a text book example of how to create a true icon in the incredibly competitive world of wine. That it is supported by a complete commitment to quality, producing wines that stand up to critical scrutiny is all the more impressive. Ornellaia and Masseto comfortably rank amongst the world?s greatest wines, while Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia and Le Volte are rapidly building formidable reputations. If this is what the estate can achieve in a shade under 30 years, the future is bright indeed.

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia is on the Via Bolgherese, set in a triangle formed by the sea, the medieval hamlet of Bolgheri and the town of Castagneto Carducci. Covering 97 hectares (about 240 acres), the vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. If Sassicaia put this area on the map, Bolgheri today is synonymous with winemaking of the highest order and the Ornellaia estate's wines reflect the exceptional terroir of the region, complemented by the wonderful Mediterranean climate of coastal Tuscany. From the village itself the view extends far out to sea and on a clear day the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago and Corsica can be seen. The low hilly landscape is dotted with ancient olive groves and vineyards, surrounded by acres of dense woodlands and typical Mediterranean maritime vegetation which create a haven for wildlife.

Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia Website