1994 Ornellaia
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Tasting notes
The 1994 Ornellaia (magnum) is a decidedly small-scaled, mid-weight effort with attractive, fragrant aromatics and delicate notes of tobacco and spices that add a measure of nuance to the fruit. While the 1994 lacks the complexity of the finest vintages, it nevertheless possesses lovely overall balance and harmony. The 1994 Ornellaia is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc that spent 15 months in French oak, a third of which was new.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Dark crimson with a pale rim. Slightly soapy overlay. More restrained than previous vintage. Very fine tannins. Quite delicate. Lively and dancing. Bravo! 13% CS:M:CF 81:14:5 189,000 bottles (JR)
Medium red. Reticent nose hints at smoke, truffle and earth. Has a sweetness of fruit but also a dusty dryness, with somewhat elevated acids. Finishes dusty and a bit short. The weakest wine to this point in the tasting.
Barrel samples of the 1994 Ornellaia, tasted in Europe with the proprietor, exhibited a soft, supple, easy-going style. The Marchese Lodovico Antinori makes these luxuriously fruity, rich wines from his vineyards in Bolgheri, an area not far from the famed Sassicaia. With the help of Bordeaux's brilliant oenologist, Michel Rolland, these wines seem to be going from strength to strength. Aug 1997, www.robertparker.com
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.