55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot
75cl * 14.5% ABV * Bolgheri DOC, Tuscany, Italy
Founded in 1981, Ornellaia is regarded as one of the world’s most iconic estates. Their wines consistently demonstrate the very best of the Bolgheri appellation. 'La Determinazione' is the name given to the 2022 vintage; the finesse required in the winemaking approach, assisted by a good spell of weather right before harvest, helped to produce this particularly nuanced wine.
The grapes were hand-picked and carefully selected both before and after destemming. Each grape variety and single vineyard block were vinified separately prior to fermentation in stainless steel and concrete tanks. This was followed by maceration then malolactic fermentation in oak barrels (70% new and 30% once-used). After 18 months of oak-maturation, the wine was bottled and aged a further 12 months prior to its release.
The 2022 is still young but has plenty of potential to evolve over the coming years. It is already showing an expressive bouquet of ripe, black fruits with hints of vanilla and tobacco. The higher proportion of Petit Verdot added to the 2022 vintage blend adds a distinct spice and dimension to its aromas. The palate is generous and expansive whilst maintaining elegance and vibrancy. The tannins are powerful, providing a body and structure indicative of its aging potential. This carries through into a long, savoury finish.Serving temperature 16°-18°C.
Drinking window: 2028 - 2050
"One of the few 2022 Tuscan wines where you can really see that this will benefit from a few years in bottle, right now it is, hovering on the edge of something delicious, vibrating over the tannic architecture, feathered, campfire smoke, fennel, blackberry, liquorice and crushed peonies, and the bitter fennel and slate scrape, dense, contrast of textures and flavours like only truly great wines can do, a reflection of skilful construction." 99pts, Jane Anson
“A Mediterranean-style wine. Stunning elegance on the nose, with vibrant dried eucalyptus leaves, flowers, restrained brambleberries and hints of black cherries, dried bananas, milk chocolate, cloves and graphite. The palate is full-bodied with elegant tannins and a touch of dust. It’s savory and well packed, with integrated, brilliant freshness and a ripe, fruity finish with a toasty aftertaste of blond tobacco. Try from 2026.“ 97 points James Suckling