1990 Ornellaia
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Tasting notes
82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. The grapes were hand-harvested from 1 to 20 September. Destemmed and crushed before fermentation in wood and stainless-steel tanks at a temperature not exceeding 30 °C. The period of fermentation and maceration lasted 15 – 20 days. The wine was then racked and transferred to French oak barriques where it completed its malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged in French oak barriques, 40% new and 60% second-use, for 15 months. Further 16 months in the bottle before release. Made by the late Tibor Gál. Mid ruby. Mainly young Cabernet Sauvignon vines – creditable with that in mind. Smells a lot more than eight years older than the 1998! Fully mature with a strong balsam note and slight dustiness. Getting a little old with the acidity coming to the fore but there is strong personality here. It’s just a little skinny now. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. Hot end to the growing season. Part fermented in wood, part in steel. Finished malo in barrel (40% new- they were more cautious then). 15 months in barrel, 16 months in bottle prior to release. Some browning at the rim but rich red in the middle. Step change in aroma – the first wine with the marked undergrowth notes of older Bordeaux. Some liquorice too but also still has plum fruit and quite a bit of sediment. Now starting to dry out and the freshness reinforcing that dryness. But would probably still be good with food. But I would drink up. The acidity is kicking in. (JH)
The 1990 Ornellaia (magnum) foreshadows an opulent style that would become the norm in future years. A rich, dense Ornellaia, the 1990 offers exceptional balance in its expressive bouquet, ripe fruit and beautifully balanced acidity. Earthiness, licorice, smoke and menthol linger on the elegant finish. In 1990 temperatures were unusually warm toward the end of the growing season, which comes through in the wine’s generous, open personality. The 1990 Ornellaia is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. The wine spent 15 months in French oak, 40% of which was new.
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.