Rare Italians

wines

Clearly stronger and richer in colour than the 2002, with a wonderful nose, you feel the older Cabernet coming through on this now, merging together with warming spice. A slow teasing buildup of tannic power over the palate, where the flavours begin softly, then tighten. Some animal leathery notes, certainly, but fresh clean leather not Brett, this is a powerful wine, full of hedonism and optimism. The fruit is rich wild strawberries and raspberry coulis, exotic, cinnamon spicing, but not overblown because a grip of salinity comes in on the finish. A great wine, still young. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc.Decanter | 99 DECBeautiful aromas of summer fruits and hints of cream. Then turns to dried Provençal herbs, such as rosemary. Well-defined Sass. Full-bodied, with sleek, refined tannins and a silky finish. All in finesse. Classy wine. Almost chewy. Reminds me of the excellent 1997, but this is slightly better. Give it time. Best after 2008. 15,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 94 WS

The 2007 Ornellaia is a masterpiece blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a tiny element of Petit Verdot. The intensity and purity are outstanding and the wine delivers beautiful notes of chocolate, black cherry, leather, cedar and spice. It’s a big, modern expression that closes long with luscious softness and opulent fruit. Hold 10 years or more.Wine Enthusiast | 99 WEThis has fascinating aromas of seaweed, oak, iodine, rosemary, and currants. A subtle wine at first, but then it takes off. A phenomenal wine that is full bodied, tight, then hits you with mint, berries, currants, and minerals. Pure class.James Suckling | 98 JS2007 was an old-school vintage whose steady growing season - sun and rain at the right times, no unwelcome surprises - culminated in a sunny but cool harvest period. This cool finale partly explains Ornellaia 2007’s really remarkable Peter Pan-like freshness and its benign but still purposeful tannins. The fruit has a tactile feel, the customary ’Made in Bolgheri’ silkiness given an unusually tight weave in this case, which holds your attention, not least because this is oak- as well as fruit-driven. And the fruit is generous, crunchy-smooth and stimulating. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot. Drinking Window 2021 - 2037.Decanter | 98 DECThe 2007 Ornellaia is a wine of texture above all else. What the 2007 lacks in aromatic intensity it more than makes up for with its sumptuous, generous personality. Silky and inviting, with soft contours and seemingly endless layers of dark red-fleshed fruit, the 2007 is absolutely delicious today.Antonio Galloni | 97 AGA wine that does everything right and puts it all in beautiful balance. Full-bodied, yet reserved, silky and elegant, with wonderful fruit and friendly tannins. Best after 2012. 10,000 cases made, 2,500 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 97 WSThe 2007 Ornellaia is remarkably open and accessible, very much in keeping with the personality of the vintage. Clean, minerally notes frame a core of silky, perfumed dark fruit, mocha, spices, licorice, grilled herbs and leather that impresses for its exceptional length. Tasted next to the 2007 Le Serre Nuove, the 2007 Ornellaia shows more muscle (from the higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon), but in terms of pure quality the wines are very close. The 2007 is not a big, massive Ornellaia, but rather a wine built on elegance and finesse, both of which are on full display. The 2007 should drink well with a minimum of cellaring, but whether it will make old bones remains a question mark at this point. The 2007 Ornellaia is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RP

Elegant and complex, this gorgeous wine is all about finesse, offering enticing aromas of rose petal, iris, perfumed berry, baking spice, anise and chopped aromatic herb. The structured but silky palate seamlessly melds together juicy Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, clove, licorice and tobacco while bright acidity and ultra-fine tannins provide the framework. It’s already tempting and impeccably balanced but will be even better in a few years. Drink 2018¬–2030. Kerin O’Keefe | 99 KOElegant and complex, this gorgeous wine is all about finesse, offering enticing aromas of rose petal, iris, perfumed berry, baking spices, anise and chopped aromatic herbs. The structured but silky palate seamlessly melds together juicy Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, clove, licorice and tobacco while bright acidity and ultrafine tannins provide the framework. It’s already tempting and impeccably balanced but will be even better in a few years. Drink 2018–2030.Wine Enthusiast | 99 WEMauro Mascarello does not disappoint with his stunning 2010 Barolo Monprivato. This is an impeccable expression from Castiglione Falletto that imparts an immense sense of purity and elegance. The bouquet opens slowly to reveal pressed flower, cola, dried ginger, forest fruit and balsam herb. This is a magnificent expression of Nebbiolo that changes and shifts each time you come back to contemplate its aromas. That magical fluidity is also present in the mouth. The wine presents silky tannins and crisp fruit flavors. Given the sheer quality on display now, you can count on Barolo Monprivato to continue a slow and successful evolution in your cellar. This is a true beauty.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 97 RPStarts out elegant and perfumed, sporting cherry and berry flavors, picking up earth, licorice, leather and spice notes. This is all about the silky texture and civilized tannins that should come together in the next few years. Spice and earth accents line the finish. Best from 2017 through 2033. 1,870 cases made. Wine Spectator | 96 WS