Tenuta dell'Ornellaia : Ornellaia 2023

Tasting Characteristics and Recommendations for Ornellaia 2023 from Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Tasting

Color

An intense, deep, brilliant ruby-red hue defines this wine.

Nose

The bouquet reveals aromas of ripe fruit—especially blueberries and blackberries—alongside other dark-fruit notes. Hints of toasted almonds, cocoa, and Mediterranean scrub complete this generous aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is generous, broad, and concentrated, with a delicate velvety texture. The overall impression stands out for its energy and vibrancy. The powerful body expresses itself with finesse and balance, while the long finish is marked by silky, finely sculpted tannins.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with red meats and game.

Serving and cellaring

Ornellaia 2023 is best served at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. One hour of decanting will allow the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity.

An exceptional Super Tuscan from Bolgheri

The estate

Founded in 1981 by Marquis Lodovico Antinori, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia spans 115 hectares of vineyards in Bolgheri, Tuscany. Now owned by the Marchesi de' Frescobaldi family, the estate has been managed by Axel Heinz since 2005. A pioneer of the Super Tuscans, Ornellaia revolutionized Tuscan viticulture by adopting a Bordeaux-inspired approach with blends of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot. Parcel-by-parcel vinification and aging in French oak barrels give the wines remarkable complexity and elegance, acclaimed worldwide.

The vineyard

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia oversees a vineyard whose varied exposures benefit both from a refreshing sea breeze and from natural protection against cold winter winds. Situated not far from the hills of Bolgheri, this terroir draws its singularity from its mosaic of clay-sandy soils of marine, alluvial, and volcanic origin. In these unspoiled landscapes, the grape varieties that make up the blend of these great Bolgheri Superiore wines develop a pure and refined expression.

The wine

Ornellaia 2023, the 18th edition of Vendemmia d’Artista, has the theme “La Vitalità” (“Vitality”), a reflection on how long one can remain energetic and productive, and on the effect of this state on lifespan.

The artist chosen to interpret it is Marina Abramović. This Serbian artist, born in Belgrade, is a major figure who, from the 1970s onward, helped establish performance as a recognized visual art by pushing physical and emotional limits. She says she was inspired by the sight of black grape leaves and berries “vibrating,” like a life force bursting forth from the mind. For the bottle-format labels, her portrait is drawn like a contemporary jellyfish, with hair that becomes vine shoots laden with clusters—symbols of abundance and vital energy.

The vintage

The winter of 2023 was marked by mild temperatures and average rainfall. Spring saw abundant rain that built significant water reserves, requiring careful vineyard management. Summer proved warm without being excessive, with occasional showers offsetting water stress. Late-August rains and cool September nights promoted the development of the grapes’ aromatic complexity and acidity.

Vinification and aging

Ornellaia 2023 was harvested by hand in 15 kg crates. The grapes underwent double manual sorting before and after destemming, complemented by optical sorting. Alcoholic fermentation took place in stainless-steel and concrete vats at temperatures between 26°C and 30°C for one week. Each variety and each plot were vinified separately. Maceration lasted around 15 days, for a total time in vat of approximately 3 weeks. Malolactic fermentation was carried out mainly in oak barrels, 70% new and 30% one-wine barrels. Aging continued for about 18 months in barrels. After the first 12 months, the blend was made and the wine was returned to barrels for an additional 6 months. A 12-month maturation in bottle preceded release.

Grape varieties

Cabernet sauvignon (55%), merlot (26%), cabernet franc (12%), petit verdot (7%).