The Ornellaia 2015 is a red wine classified as Bolgheri DOC Superiore from the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, a Bordeaux-style blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Built on a foundation of warm, generous ripe fruit, this vintage features tannins that lend body without drying out the palate.
Although 2015 was a sweltering summer along the Tuscan coast, nighttime temperatures dropped by as much as 30 degrees compared to daytime highs, and rainfall in mid-August revitalized the vines just before they entered the final stage of ripening. The weather in the coastal regions of Bolgheri and Maremma was more unpredictable than inland. Yields across Tuscany decreased by approximately 10-30%, primarily due to smaller berries and clusters. As a result, the concentration increased.
Winemaking under Axel Heinz is carried out systematically. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at 26-30°C for two weeks, followed by a 10-15-day maceration period with the skins. Malolactic fermentation takes place primarily in oak barrels, 70% of which are new and 30% once-used barrels. After 12 months, each lot is blended and transferred back into barriques (small oak barrels) for 6 months of aging, followed by 1 year of bottle aging before release.
For the Vendemmia d'Artista project, William Kentridge interpreted the character of the 2015 vintage, corresponding to Il Carisma. Each case containing six bottles features a unique artist label. It is best enjoyed between 2022 and 2038.
Robert Parker (93)
The 2015 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is a dark, exuberant and opulent wine that is teeming with flavor, ripeness and extract. That said, there is also a note of impurity that I only really locked in on when I went back to taste the wine at different time intervals later in the day and the next. To be clear, it was there upon first examination, but then it blew off. And then it came back. That game of hide and seek proved distracting and puzzling. I wondered if it was cork or barrel, although it did not behave like any of those things, and my doubt is recorded by the question mark next to my score. Once you get past that little blemish, you are instantly aware of the beauty and depth of the vintage. The wine is savory in terms of aromas and sweet in terms of tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon flavors of dried blackberry, toasted espresso and cured tobacco play leading roles.
Winespectator (97)
A big, brooding red, packed with blackberry, plum and earth flavors, all wrapped in spicy oak. Monolithic now, finishing with saline mineral elements, a leafy tobacco edge and dense, mouthcoating tannins. Terrific potential. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
James Suckling (98)
The blackberry and blueberry aromas with fresh sage and bay-leaf character are impressive. Stone, graphite and mineral undertones. Full-bodied and silky and refined tannins. Dusty. Elegance and polish. Shows greatness in strength and refinement. A dialed-in, dialed-back Ornellaia.
Jancis Robinson (17.5)
Heavy, dense, chewy and chocolatey – but in a 99% cocoa, bitter sort of way. Still has a long way to go before it reaches its peak. Flecked with bitter flavours yet all in balance.
BOW (9-)
Falstaff (96)
Rich, deep ruby with a black core. Compact, dense nose featuring dark blackcurrant syrup, along with blueberry and mint, and tobacco notes in the background. Compact and dense on the palate too; it builds up powerfully, with abundant, tightly knit tannins and great concentration; firm pressure on the finish and a very long aftertaste.
