Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Ornellaia 2005

ws95wa93

BN#239060

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Born in a cooler than usual year, the aromatic complexity and freshness of the 2005 Ornellaia reflect the conditions of the harvest. The delayed harvest allowed us to obtain perfectly ripe tannins that are soft and silky. Deep ruby red in colour, it has an elegant, complex bouquet with red and black berry fruit supported by underlying hints of tobacco and spice. On the palate the wine is full and enveloping, displaying a powerful, extremely elegant densely woven tannic structure that flows into a long fruity finish with balsamic overtones.

Wine Spectator

Displays beautiful aromas of ripe fruit, with currant, plum and blackberry. Complex and full-bodied, with soft, polished tannins and a long, long finish. This shows a deft hand in the winemaking. Best after 2012.

Score: 95. —James Suckling, October 31, 2008.

Wine Advocate

The medium-bodied 2005 Ornellaia shows plenty of delineation in its dark cherries, blueberries, spices, minerals and crushed rocks. The 2005 doesn’t have the detail of the 2004 or the richness of the 2006, but it does offer notable finesse and clarity in an understated style for this wine. My impression is that this will be a relatively early-maturing vintage of Ornellaia, which is not a bad thing, considering the age-worthiness of the two vintages which surround it. In 2005 Ornellaia is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. It is a big success in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020.

Score: 93. —Antonio Galloni, June 2008.