2008 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Magnum

Type of Wine | |
---|---|
Country | |
Region | |
Appellation | |
Winery | |
Vintage | 2008 |
Grape | , , |
Content (Alc) | 1.5 ltr (14.5%) |
Drink window | 2018 - 2032 |
Low Stock
Only 1 left
Description
The history of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia and the Bolgheri region
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia was founded in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, in the Tuscan region of Bolgheri, near the Tyrrhenian coast. The ambition: to produce wines that can compete with the greatest Bordeaux wines. The vineyards are located on rolling hills overlooking the sea, which creates a unique microclimate with warm days, cool nights and a fresh sea breeze. Since 2005, the estate has been in the hands of the Frescobaldi family, who preserve and further refine the character of the wines. Ornellaia is today one of the most acclaimed wineries in Italy.
Wines from Tenuta dell'Ornellaia and their style
The estate produces several wines, including the iconic Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, Le Serre Nuove, Le Volte and the white Poggio alle Gazze. Ornellaia itself is a Bordeaux blend consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The style is powerful yet refined, with great emphasis on balance, maturation and terroir expression.
2008 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Magnum: grapes, harvest and vinification
The 2008 vintage was characterised by a cool start to the growing season, followed by a warm, stable summer with excellent maturation conditions. The blend for this magnum bottle consists of approximately 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The grapes were hand-harvested and rigorously selected. After separate fermentation of each grape variety in stainless steel tanks, malolactic fermentation followed in barriques. The wine was then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 70% of which were new, and a further 12 months in bottle before release.
Color, aroma and taste of the 2008 Ornellaia Magnum
The 2008 Ornellaia shows a deep, opaque ruby red color. The nose is complex with aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, tobacco, graphite, cedar and a hint of balsamic. On the palate the wine is rich and concentrated with silky tannins, a full body and an impressive structure. The palate offers layers of ripe black fruit, spices and subtle toasted notes. The long finish confirms the ageing potential of this special magnum edition.
Would you like to order wines from 2008 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Magnum online?
This prestigious 2008 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore in magnum format is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse. When you choose to collect, you often receive an attractive discount. This discount is immediately visible when selecting 'Collect' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16, with ample parking. Click here for our address .
The full tasting notes and reviews by international wine journalists such as Robert Parker, James Suckling and Vinous can be read via the links next to the image. This service is available free of charge to customers of Grandcruwijnen.
Need help choosing a suitable wine for your dinner? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier . Free of charge for Grandcruwijnen customers.
Wine and food pairings with 2008 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Magnum
Grilled ribeye with rosemary and sea salt: The fat of the meat is perfectly carried by the tannins and intensity of the wine.
Braised lamb shoulder with garlic and thyme: Deep flavors and soft texture complement the structure and spiciness of the wine.
Beetroot and Gorgonzola Risotto: Creamy, earthy and slightly salty – a fascinating complement to the dark fruit and freshness of the wine.
Mushroom Lasagna with Parmesan: Umami-rich flavors enhance the wine's depth without overpowering it.
Venison steak with blackcurrant sauce and parsnip puree: The wild notes and concentrated sauce combine beautifully with the wine's elegance and power.
Grilled tuna with a black sesame crust and soy-honey glaze: The fish's texture and sweet-savory profile make a striking yet harmonious pairing with this bolgheri classic.
Specifications
Type of Wine | Red |
---|---|
Country | Italy |
Region | Tuscany |
Appellation | Bolgheri |
Icons | Icon Italy |
Winery | Tenuta dell Ornellaia |
Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2008 |
Drinking as of | 2018 |
Drinking till | 2032 |
Alcohol % | 14.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 1.5 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Parker rating | 97 |
James Suckling rating | 98 |
Vinous rating | 97 |
Tasting Profiles | Complex, Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Tannines, Vol |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 97
Reviewed by:
Antonio Galloni
Release Price:
$215
Drink Date:
2018 - 2033
The 2008 Ornellaia continues to blossom in the bottle. Dark cherries, chocolate, espresso, blackberries and mocha are just some of the many notes that explode from the glass. A rich tapestry of licorice, tar and camphor notes develop in the glass, adding considerable complexity. The 2008 is a huge, structured Ornellaia endowed with massive structure. It has come together beautifully since the early days when it was a tannic beast. Readers who can be patient will be rewarded with a spectacular bottle of wine. This is a fabulous showing. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033.
The 2009 vintage was not easy at Tenuta dell’Ornellaia because of the scorching hot summer. Readers may want to take a look at my video interview with Axel Heinz for more on the 2009 vintage.
Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 256-2700
Published:
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
98
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 299
Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2008
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2011
Color
Red
Country
Italy
Region
Tuscany
Vintage
2008
I love Ornellaia. Amazing aromas of currants, blackberries, and hints of vanilla cream. Licorice too. Full bodied, with soft and velvety tannins and an amazing depth of fruit. Balanced and super long. I can't get over the wonderful texture to this young red. It touches every inch of your palate and caresses it. Leave it for four or five years still, but it's hard not to drink. Find the wine
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
97
Drinking Window
2018 - 2033
From: Tuscany 2009 and 2010: A World of Opposites (Jun 2012)
The 2008 Ornellaia continues to blossom in the bottle. Dark cherries, chocolate, espresso, blackberries and mocha are just some of the many notes that explode from the glass. A rich tapestry of licorice, tar and camphor notes develop in the glass, adding considerable complexity. The 2008 is a huge, structured Ornellaia endowed with massive structure. It has come together beautifully since the early days when it was a tannic beast. Readers who can be patient will be rewarded with a spectacular bottle of wine. This is a fabulous showing.
- By Antonio Galloni on June 2012
The 2009 vintage was not easy at Tenuta dell'Ornellaia because of the scorching hot summer. Readers may want to take a look at my video interview with Axel Heinz for more on the vintage.
- By Antonio Galloni on December 2009
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia is the brainchild of Lodovico Antinori, who founded this gorgeous, sprawling estate in Tuscany’s Maremma in 1981. Vines were planted in 1982 and the first vintages were overseen by the legendary oenologist and winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. Today Ornellaia is owned by the Frescobaldi family, but like all of the Frescobaldi properties, it is run independently. The estate produces a wide range of wines, from the entry-level Le Volte to the super-premium Merlot Masseto. To me, though, it is the Cabernet Sauvignon-based Ornellaia which truly captures the essence of these unique vineyards and microclimates. Early vintages of Ornellaia were predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, typically 75-80%, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc playing supporting roles. Beginning in 1996 the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon was reduced and Merlot took on a more prominent role, reaching the 30% or so that is customary today. In 2003 Petit Verdot was introduced as the fourth variety in the blend. Of course, the final blend each year is a result of vintage conditions. Other significant stylistic changes include increased selection in the vineyards and cellar with the introduction of a second wine, Le Serre Nuove, in 1997, which subsequently led to a more concentrated style in Ornellaia. Over the years the estate increased its use of new French oak barrels from roughly 40% in the first vintages to the 70% or so that is the norm these days. Fermentation and maceration times have also moved up from the 15-20 days that was typical early on to roughly 25-30 days that is common in recent vintages. Great attention is given to viticulture and winemaking. Each of the varieties and parcels is harvested, vinified and aged separately, a process that can include as many as 60 or so separate component wines. Fermentation takes place partly in wood and partly in steel, while the malolactic fermentation is finished in French oak barrels. The wines are aged separately for roughly twelve months. The final blend is assembled and the wines are racked back into oak for a further six months. Generally Ornellaia is neither fined nor filtered prior to being bottled, although in some vintages the estate performs a light fining.
97
Drinking Window
2016 - 2026
From: Tuscany 2006 and 2007: A New Golden Age (Aug 2009)
The 2006 Ornellaia flows from the glass in a profound expression of ripe, dark fruit. With time in the glass layers of minerals, cassis, tar, sweet herbs and French oak emerge, adding further complexity. This harmonious Ornellaia combines the richness of the vintage with superb freshness and awesome balance. Today the wine's sheer density almost manages to hide the tannins, but they are there, and the wine will ultimately benefit from a few years in the cellar. The 2006 Ornellaia is one of the highlights of this sensational Tuscan vintage.
- By Antonio Galloni on August 2009
This set of new 2006s from Tenuta dell'Ornellaia leaves me looking for words that can adequately capture the pure magic and sheer profoundness the property has achieved in this important, hallmark vintage. I will try with one word: Monumental. The Ornellaia team led by Oenologist Axel Heinz and Agronomist/General Manager Leonardo Raspini has done a fabulous job with these wines, which have never failed to literally send shivers down my spine on the multiple occasions I have tasted them. At this stage the 2007 Serre Nuove, Ornellaia and Masseto are shaping up to be ripe, relatively early-drinking wines without the stuffing or sheer vibrancy of the 2006s. I recently had the privilege of revisiting 17 vintages of Ornellaia (all from magnum) spanning vintages 1985-2006 at an incredible tasting that will be covered in an in-depth article on www.erobertparker.com in the coming months.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Wijnhuis
Lodovico Antinori already had a head start at birth. The Antinoris have been among the Florentine merchant nobility for centuries and already joined the wine buyers' guild in 1385. Since then, there has always been one member of the family in the wine trade. The family estates in Tuscany were greatly expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries and the family gained a lot of experience in the winery. At the beginning of this century, she founded an influential trading company. Marquis Lodovico worked for a while in the family business, but decided to go his own way in the early 1980s. He created an extensive vineyard on Tenuta dell'Ornelllaia, a family estate in Bolgheri on the Mediterranean, 96 km from Florence.
This part of the Maremma not only has a beautiful wild nature, but is also a fertile agricultural area, a region with great potential for wine production. Lodovico's uncle, Marquis Incisa della Rochetta, had already drawn Bolgheri's attention to the wine world with his pioneering work on Tenuta San Guido and with his Sassiciaia, now regarded as one of the world's greatest red wines.
Lodovico Antinori followed in his uncle's footsteps in nearby Ornellaia, although he makes a completely different type of wine. He learned from a number of international wine authorities that the character of the Bolgheri soil resembled that of St.-Émilion and Pomerol in Bordeaux was ideal for the production of quality wine. The special feature of the Ornellaia vineyard - for Italian standards - is the high percentage of merlot. The assembly for Antinori's top wine, the red Ornellaia, contains 40% merlot. However, this grape comes into its own best at the vigna veccia (old vines) of the winery. Since 1987, this plot has supplied the raw material for a 100% Merlot cuvée called the Masseto. The grapes for this wine have been picked under a sunny September sky. After the long fermentation of 18-20 days, the wine is naturally transferred to tanks. After which a maturing process in new Barriques. The result is a wine with structure, very pure fruit and a beautiful balance.
The history of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia and the Bolgheri region
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia was founded in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, in the Tuscan region of Bolgheri, near the Tyrrhenian coast. The ambition: to produce wines that can compete with the greatest Bordeaux wines. The vineyards are located on rolling hills overlooking the sea, which creates a unique microclimate with warm days, cool nights and a fresh sea breeze. Since 2005, the estate has been in the hands of the Frescobaldi family, who preserve and further refine the character of the wines. Ornellaia is today one of the most acclaimed wineries in Italy.
Wines from Tenuta dell'Ornellaia and their style
The estate produces several wines, including the iconic Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, Le Serre Nuove, Le Volte and the white Poggio alle Gazze. Ornellaia itself is a Bordeaux blend consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The style is powerful yet refined, with great emphasis on balance, maturation and terroir expression.
2008 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Magnum: grapes, harvest and vinification
The 2008 vintage was characterised by a cool start to the growing season, followed by a warm, stable summer with excellent maturation conditions. The blend for this magnum bottle consists of approximately 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. The grapes were hand-harvested and rigorously selected. After separate fermentation of each grape variety in stainless steel tanks, malolactic fermentation followed in barriques. The wine was then aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, 70% of which were new, and a further 12 months in bottle before release.
Color, aroma and taste of the 2008 Ornellaia Magnum
The 2008 Ornellaia shows a deep, opaque ruby red color. The nose is complex with aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, tobacco, graphite, cedar and a hint of balsamic. On the palate the wine is rich and concentrated with silky tannins, a full body and an impressive structure. The palate offers layers of ripe black fruit, spices and subtle toasted notes. The long finish confirms the ageing potential of this special magnum edition.
Would you like to order wines from 2008 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Magnum online?
This prestigious 2008 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore in magnum format is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse. When you choose to collect, you often receive an attractive discount. This discount is immediately visible when selecting 'Collect' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16, with ample parking. Click here for our address .
The full tasting notes and reviews by international wine journalists such as Robert Parker, James Suckling and Vinous can be read via the links next to the image. This service is available free of charge to customers of Grandcruwijnen.
Need help choosing a suitable wine for your dinner? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier . Free of charge for Grandcruwijnen customers.
Wine and food pairings with 2008 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Magnum
Grilled ribeye with rosemary and sea salt: The fat of the meat is perfectly carried by the tannins and intensity of the wine.
Braised lamb shoulder with garlic and thyme: Deep flavors and soft texture complement the structure and spiciness of the wine.
Beetroot and Gorgonzola Risotto: Creamy, earthy and slightly salty – a fascinating complement to the dark fruit and freshness of the wine.
Mushroom Lasagna with Parmesan: Umami-rich flavors enhance the wine's depth without overpowering it.
Venison steak with blackcurrant sauce and parsnip puree: The wild notes and concentrated sauce combine beautifully with the wine's elegance and power.
Grilled tuna with a black sesame crust and soy-honey glaze: The fish's texture and sweet-savory profile make a striking yet harmonious pairing with this bolgheri classic.
Type of Wine | Red |
---|---|
Country | Italy |
Region | Tuscany |
Appellation | Bolgheri |
Icons | Icon Italy |
Winery | Tenuta dell Ornellaia |
Grape | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese |
Biological certified | No |
Natural wine | No |
Vegan | No |
Vintage | 2008 |
Drinking as of | 2018 |
Drinking till | 2032 |
Alcohol % | 14.5 |
Alcohol free/low | No |
Content | 1.5 ltr |
Oak aging | Yes |
Sparkling | No |
Dessert wine | No |
Closure | Cork |
Parker rating | 97 |
James Suckling rating | 98 |
Vinous rating | 97 |
Tasting Profiles | Complex, Donker fruit, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Tannines, Vol |
Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 97
Reviewed by:
Antonio Galloni
Release Price:
$215
Drink Date:
2018 - 2033
The 2008 Ornellaia continues to blossom in the bottle. Dark cherries, chocolate, espresso, blackberries and mocha are just some of the many notes that explode from the glass. A rich tapestry of licorice, tar and camphor notes develop in the glass, adding considerable complexity. The 2008 is a huge, structured Ornellaia endowed with massive structure. It has come together beautifully since the early days when it was a tannic beast. Readers who can be patient will be rewarded with a spectacular bottle of wine. This is a fabulous showing. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033.
The 2009 vintage was not easy at Tenuta dell’Ornellaia because of the scorching hot summer. Readers may want to take a look at my video interview with Axel Heinz for more on the 2009 vintage.
Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 256-2700
Published:
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
98
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 299
Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2008
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2011
Color
Red
Country
Italy
Region
Tuscany
Vintage
2008
I love Ornellaia. Amazing aromas of currants, blackberries, and hints of vanilla cream. Licorice too. Full bodied, with soft and velvety tannins and an amazing depth of fruit. Balanced and super long. I can't get over the wonderful texture to this young red. It touches every inch of your palate and caresses it. Leave it for four or five years still, but it's hard not to drink. Find the wine
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
97
Drinking Window
2018 - 2033
From: Tuscany 2009 and 2010: A World of Opposites (Jun 2012)
The 2008 Ornellaia continues to blossom in the bottle. Dark cherries, chocolate, espresso, blackberries and mocha are just some of the many notes that explode from the glass. A rich tapestry of licorice, tar and camphor notes develop in the glass, adding considerable complexity. The 2008 is a huge, structured Ornellaia endowed with massive structure. It has come together beautifully since the early days when it was a tannic beast. Readers who can be patient will be rewarded with a spectacular bottle of wine. This is a fabulous showing.
- By Antonio Galloni on June 2012
The 2009 vintage was not easy at Tenuta dell'Ornellaia because of the scorching hot summer. Readers may want to take a look at my video interview with Axel Heinz for more on the vintage.
- By Antonio Galloni on December 2009
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia is the brainchild of Lodovico Antinori, who founded this gorgeous, sprawling estate in Tuscany’s Maremma in 1981. Vines were planted in 1982 and the first vintages were overseen by the legendary oenologist and winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. Today Ornellaia is owned by the Frescobaldi family, but like all of the Frescobaldi properties, it is run independently. The estate produces a wide range of wines, from the entry-level Le Volte to the super-premium Merlot Masseto. To me, though, it is the Cabernet Sauvignon-based Ornellaia which truly captures the essence of these unique vineyards and microclimates. Early vintages of Ornellaia were predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, typically 75-80%, with Merlot and Cabernet Franc playing supporting roles. Beginning in 1996 the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon was reduced and Merlot took on a more prominent role, reaching the 30% or so that is customary today. In 2003 Petit Verdot was introduced as the fourth variety in the blend. Of course, the final blend each year is a result of vintage conditions. Other significant stylistic changes include increased selection in the vineyards and cellar with the introduction of a second wine, Le Serre Nuove, in 1997, which subsequently led to a more concentrated style in Ornellaia. Over the years the estate increased its use of new French oak barrels from roughly 40% in the first vintages to the 70% or so that is the norm these days. Fermentation and maceration times have also moved up from the 15-20 days that was typical early on to roughly 25-30 days that is common in recent vintages. Great attention is given to viticulture and winemaking. Each of the varieties and parcels is harvested, vinified and aged separately, a process that can include as many as 60 or so separate component wines. Fermentation takes place partly in wood and partly in steel, while the malolactic fermentation is finished in French oak barrels. The wines are aged separately for roughly twelve months. The final blend is assembled and the wines are racked back into oak for a further six months. Generally Ornellaia is neither fined nor filtered prior to being bottled, although in some vintages the estate performs a light fining.
97
Drinking Window
2016 - 2026
From: Tuscany 2006 and 2007: A New Golden Age (Aug 2009)
The 2006 Ornellaia flows from the glass in a profound expression of ripe, dark fruit. With time in the glass layers of minerals, cassis, tar, sweet herbs and French oak emerge, adding further complexity. This harmonious Ornellaia combines the richness of the vintage with superb freshness and awesome balance. Today the wine's sheer density almost manages to hide the tannins, but they are there, and the wine will ultimately benefit from a few years in the cellar. The 2006 Ornellaia is one of the highlights of this sensational Tuscan vintage.
- By Antonio Galloni on August 2009
This set of new 2006s from Tenuta dell'Ornellaia leaves me looking for words that can adequately capture the pure magic and sheer profoundness the property has achieved in this important, hallmark vintage. I will try with one word: Monumental. The Ornellaia team led by Oenologist Axel Heinz and Agronomist/General Manager Leonardo Raspini has done a fabulous job with these wines, which have never failed to literally send shivers down my spine on the multiple occasions I have tasted them. At this stage the 2007 Serre Nuove, Ornellaia and Masseto are shaping up to be ripe, relatively early-drinking wines without the stuffing or sheer vibrancy of the 2006s. I recently had the privilege of revisiting 17 vintages of Ornellaia (all from magnum) spanning vintages 1985-2006 at an incredible tasting that will be covered in an in-depth article on www.erobertparker.com in the coming months.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Lodovico Antinori already had a head start at birth. The Antinoris have been among the Florentine merchant nobility for centuries and already joined the wine buyers' guild in 1385. Since then, there has always been one member of the family in the wine trade. The family estates in Tuscany were greatly expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries and the family gained a lot of experience in the winery. At the beginning of this century, she founded an influential trading company. Marquis Lodovico worked for a while in the family business, but decided to go his own way in the early 1980s. He created an extensive vineyard on Tenuta dell'Ornelllaia, a family estate in Bolgheri on the Mediterranean, 96 km from Florence.
This part of the Maremma not only has a beautiful wild nature, but is also a fertile agricultural area, a region with great potential for wine production. Lodovico's uncle, Marquis Incisa della Rochetta, had already drawn Bolgheri's attention to the wine world with his pioneering work on Tenuta San Guido and with his Sassiciaia, now regarded as one of the world's greatest red wines.
Lodovico Antinori followed in his uncle's footsteps in nearby Ornellaia, although he makes a completely different type of wine. He learned from a number of international wine authorities that the character of the Bolgheri soil resembled that of St.-Émilion and Pomerol in Bordeaux was ideal for the production of quality wine. The special feature of the Ornellaia vineyard - for Italian standards - is the high percentage of merlot. The assembly for Antinori's top wine, the red Ornellaia, contains 40% merlot. However, this grape comes into its own best at the vigna veccia (old vines) of the winery. Since 1987, this plot has supplied the raw material for a 100% Merlot cuvée called the Masseto. The grapes for this wine have been picked under a sunny September sky. After the long fermentation of 18-20 days, the wine is naturally transferred to tanks. After which a maturing process in new Barriques. The result is a wine with structure, very pure fruit and a beautiful balance.