2011 Ornellaia

Still young at 12 years old, this was a hot, dry vintage with a growth cycle around 10 days in advance of normal, and yet is filled with elegance and juice. Still very young, with the vibrant plum colour alone making you confident for its ageing potential. In the cellar, this was a time when the Ornellaia team was in full extraction phase, but alongside smoked cumin, Mediterranean herbs, truffles, liqourice, cocoa bean and firm tannins, there is still a purity to the fruit (one of the felllow tasters said, 'if you were making mistakes at this point, they were the right ones'). The balance was helped by a cooler June and July, and all harvest finished by the end of September. 70% new oak barrels for ageing. Blending after 12 months in barrel, then a further six months, before being kept in bottle at the estate for 12 months before release. Axel Heinz winemaker.

A bit of a monster with dark chocolate and cherry fruits. An assertive, bold wine with oak served up in thick slices, topped with slightly jammy cassis and blackberry. Forthright, bold and dense; very showy and boldly engineered. (NS)

The 2011 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia lives up to the legacy of this important wine, thanks to its extreme intensity and its skillfully crafted bouquet. The excellent quality of fruit stands clear, despite the heat of the vintage, with pristine notes of dark cherry, exotic spice and chocolate. This expression of Ornellaia is composed of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. The results are nothing short of exuberant and this vintage will reward both those who decided to drink it early, as well as those who have the patience to wait. The only slight ruffle in this otherwise gorgeous presentation is the 2011 tannin that feels a touch aggressive. For that reason, its probably better to put the wine aside in your cellar.