Tenuta Dell Ornellaia 2021

99 points James Suckling
Outer quote mark Aromas of blackcurrants, iodine, crushed stone, hints of mint and sage. Blue fruits. Full-bodied with chewy tannins that open with air. It’s racy and very long. Very tannin driven and energetic with power and focus. Muscular and very toned. This is the best Ornellaia for the cellar in years. Inner quote mark (7/2023)

99 points Vinous
Outer quote mark The 2021 Ornellaia captures all the magic of this sensational vintage on the Tuscan Coast. Rich, ample and expansive, with tremendous polish, the 2021 is pure class. Dark-toned fruit, mocha, espresso, licorice, plum and dried herbs abound. The tannins are present but also beautifully integrated, as is the French oak. There was a time not too long ago when young wines here needed years in bottle to drink well. That’s not at all the case with the 2021. (AG) Inner quote mark (2/2024)

98 points Wine Spectator
Outer quote mark An intense red, defined by lively acidity and framed by dense, ripe tannins that showcase its black currant, blackberry, violet and toasty oak aromas and flavors. Iron and wild herb accents emerge as this plays out on the finish. Though expressive at this stage, this youthful version will benefit from time in bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2046. Inner quote mark (6/2024)

97 points Decanter
Outer quote mark While the summer was hot and dry, with three months of drought, the vines’ roots were able to tap water reserves which had been topped up by rainfall the previous winter and spring. Despite the warm growing season, Ornellaia 2021 feels less dense and muscular than vintages of old, offering pretty floral and wild herb perfumes alongside ripe red and black fruit scents. It’s intense, fresh and vertical in character, with fine, ripe, round tannins that seem to be a trademark of the vintage – it’s a gorgeous, breezy iteration of the Bolgheri benchmark that is already drinking well. (JB) Inner quote mark (2/2024)

97 points Jane Anson
Outer quote mark Ornellaia stands as proof, if it were needed, that Bordeaux varieties can really deliver magic in the Tuscan landscape. Blackberry, underbrush, dried roses, bay leaf, liqourice, fennel, raspberries, layers of baking spice, balsamic, turmeric and saffran. Will benefit from a few years more in bottle, and will go for decades. Director Axel Heinz in one of his last vintages, winemaker Olga Fusari. 119ha estate. 70% new oak, with the blend taking place after 12 months ageing, then left for a further six months in barrel, and 12 months in bottle before release. Inner quote mark (2/2024)

96 points Wine Advocate
Outer quote mark The Ornellaia 2021 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia offers an extra layer of richness, generosity and plushness that shapes a very open-knit and exuberant Tuscan red. The blend is 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. You feel the fruit and oak weight of the wine, the extract and the 15% alcohol content. All of these elements come together to big effect. From that power, you get black cherry, dark fruit, sweet spice and barbecue smoke. The fruit tannins are young, and this edition of Ornellaia proves worthy for medium or long-term drinking, especially as it softens up with more bottle age. (ML) Inner quote mark (2/2024)