Le Volte dell'Ornellaia 2018

93 points, “There’s purity of fruit here with crushed plums, flowers, fresh sage and rosemary on both the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied, yet soft and pretty at the finish. Very drinkable now.” – James Suckling

As American critic Jeb Dunnuck notes “the 2018 Le Volte Dell'Ornellaia can be thought of as the entry-level wine of this great estate” and it’s “medium-bodied, elegant, and undeniably delicious, with both richness and freshness, it's ideal for drinking any time over the coming 4-6 years.” Lively, silky and brimming with soft red fruit and summer blackberries from the Merlot, crème de cassis and peppery herbs from the Cabernet Sauvignon, roasted red pepper, cherry, leather and crumbled brick from the Sangiovese, and festive spices from the oak barrels. A joyous and very affordable glimpse into the legendary estate that creates Ornellaia, and even more exciting when it comes in a magnum.

Ornellaia is one of Tuscany’s most iconic wines and, in the words of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, it’s “one of Italy’s blue-chip properties”.  Founded in 1981 by Lodovico Antinori, brother of Piero who created Tignanello, control passed to Robert Mondavi and then on to Frescobaldi, but despite this tumultuous history, its popularity has never wavered. Located in Bolgheri in Maremma, Ornellaia is a Bordeaux-inspired blend and one of the ultimate Super Tuscans. What makes it so exciting is that the blend can vary quite theatrically, making it a many-faceted wine to collect.