1998 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Tuscany Italy

Please note the image is of a representative bottle. For pictures of the actual bottle please contact the store.

Winemaker Notes
This 63 acre vineyard consists of various clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a small amount of Cabernet Franc. The wines are separately aged for one year in French barrels before being blended to achieve an elegant yet firm style balancing fruit, acidity, oak and tannic backbone.

Press
Rated 99 Points Decanter
1998 is most likely the best vintage ever for Ornellaia. Petit Verdot was not yet used in the blend. Evolved bramble fruits meld with forest floor, helichrysum and Mediterranean herb aromas. On the palate this wine dazzles with the vibrancy of the best Pomerol-like minerality, with a tight-knit structure of velvety yet lively tannins amongst the fruit, and delicate acidity pushing a slightly pyrazinic finish with long, dark notes of Marmite and cigar-box supported by some citrus notes.

Rated 96 Points Wine Spectator
A cool and sleek Tuscan red, with tarragon and fresh sage aromas, blackberry and cherry undertones. Full-bodied, with a wonderfully silky palate of fine tannins and a long, fruity finish. Very sophisticated and reserved

Rated 93 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Made in a relatively structured style for the normally succulent Ornellaia, the dense saturated ruby/purple-colored 1998 offers up aromas of pain grille, spice, smoke, black fruits, and graphite. Full-bodied, concentrated, exceptionally pure, and long, it will be at its finest between 2005-2018. Very impressive, but it requires patience.