1996 Ornellaia
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Tasting notes
1996 should be considered a classic vintage, as it is in Bordeaux. This wine is not rich and is in fact quite austere, yet delicious to drink now with rich dishes such as braised beef cheek. It's full of elegance, with a restrained perfume of dried roses, cedar wood and truffle, while the leathery palate has a little less body than other vintages here, with austere, angular tannins.
Critic scores
Average Score
Aldo Fiordelli, Decanter
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Ornellaia 1996 Bolgheri Rosso Superiore 17.5 Drink 2008-15 Mid crimson. Surprising amount of development, slightly animal, on the nose. Supple and rather glorious. Pure pleasure. Tannins a little rustic. Very sweet start. Lots of personality even if not one of the most concentrated. Very chewy end – like licking stones. 13.5% CS:M:CF 75:20:5 166,000 bottles (JR)
Full ruby. Nose dominated by tar, licorice and herbs, plus suggestions of bell pepper and asparagus; the fruit element seems less pronounced and sweet than usual. Solidly structured and continuous in the middle palate, with blackcurrant and plum flavors, but slightly rough and bitter on the finish. The firm tannins could use a bit more roundness. A good effort in a difficult vintage.
About the producer
Based in the foothills of Bolgheri, Ornellaia is one of the original Super Tuscans, making some of Italy’s finest Cabernet blends. Created by Lodovico Antinori, today the estate is owned by the Frescobaldi family, which also owns sibling property Masseto.