TUSCAN TITAN! The many faces of Ornellaia...

The phrase “Super Tuscan” was coined when some wineries from the famed Italian region ignored the tight restrictions of the DOC laws to produce outstanding wines with outlawed grape varieties, making even the best Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino producers shudder. This was a time when tradition collided fiercely with innovation in the 1970’s in Italy. Today, Super Tuscan wines include some of the most formidable names recognized worldwide. They are expensive but often worth every penny. However, there are affordable “Super Tuscans” too.

Ornellaia was founded in 1981 undergoing several changes of ownership until it was taken over by the Frescobaldi family in 2005. Located near Bolgheri with around 192 hectares in total encompassing the vineyards, winery and the adjacent Bellaria property just North of Bolgheri. One of the driving forces of the Super Tuscan movement is the estate’s Ornellaia, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, a seductive and evocative wine that has won much praise from wine critics and drinkers alike with its impressive colour, concentration and intensity of aroma and flavour. Other wines from the estate provide great quality also, including the superb Le Serre Nuove and La Volte blends. Many of the established wine critics of the world believe it is the Cabernet Sauvignon-based Ornellaia which truly captures the essence of these unique vineyards and microclimates.