The 2021 Ornellaia is powerful and focused, with rich blackcurrant, blueberry, mint, and sage aromas. It’s full-bodied and tannin-driven, built for aging—best after 2030. The blend includes mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, plus Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Critics praise its generosity and elegance, though it’s still tight and needs time to soften. This vintage marks a new chapter for Ornellaia with some big team changes and a strong push toward sustainability. Overall, a classic Super Tuscan with muscle and finesse.

Jamessuckling.com | JS 99
Published: Nov 28, 2023

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. Try after 2030.

The Wine Advocate | RP 96
Published: Feb 15, 2024
Drink: 2026-2050

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.

Here's a bit of news I am especially happy to report: between the sister estates Ornellaia and Masseto, bottle weight has been reduced by 82 tons in two years. The goal is to reduce an additional 12 tons before next year. For example, the bottle for the 2021 Masseto reviewed here was reduced by 150 grams to its current weight of 600 grams. This is a theme I have been following carefully (https://www.robertparker.com/wines/u8L84HES4Nid48LDw), because if a brand as important as Masseto takes a leadership stand on environmentally unfriendly glass bottles, other estates will surely follow.

This is a time of enormous change for Ornellaia and Masseto. Estate Director Axel Heinz left his position in March 2023 after nearly two decades in Bolgheri. The German-born, Bordeaux-trained winemaker is currently employed at Château Lascombes in Margaux. Axel joined the Tuscan estate in 2005 and oversaw the development of Ornellaia and Masseto as distinct brands, each with their own dedicated winery today. Lamberto Frescobaldi is president of the group today. Former Ornellaia CEO Giovanni Geddes, the visionary who brought Masseto to La Place de Bordeaux, announced his retirement in 2023.

Starting January 1, 2024, a new team was put into place. Marco Balsimelli is charged with production (returning home to Italy from Bordeaux, where he spent 17 years with Laboratoire Oenologique Boissenot) and Giuliano Tarchi is vineyard manager (for both Ornellaia and Masseto). Gaia Cinnirella is winemaker for Masseto, and the Ornellaia winemaker is Denise Cosentino (she replaces outgoing Olga Fusari).

The Ornellaia Bianco became a Bolgheri Bianco DOC wine starting in the 2021 vintage. I have previously reviewed that vintage, and you will find my note published in our database.

Decanter | D 96
Published: Feb 16, 2024
Drink: 2028-2045

Nice abundant aromatics on the nose, smells generous. Tight and lean, the slightly austere, very mineral-edged tannins give the first impression, completely coating the mouth in almost dry tannins with cool blue fruit underneath. It has freshness but also feels a little pinched and not so easy. Dark fruit comes in after a while with the oak clearly on display. This needs time to come together and harmonise, it's not there yet, disjointed with sweet fruit, cool fruit, acidity in the background, tannins to the fore. I do like the sensibility and the sense of purity you get overall and there are lots of nice individual elements but it's not at the point of charming so give it time. I'd love to try this again in a few years. 7% Petit Verdot completes the blend.
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 15.00%
Body: Medium
Oak: Oaked
Grapes: 15% Cabernet Franc 53% Cabernet Sauvignon 25% Merlot

Jancisrobinson.com | JR 18.5
Published: May 17, 2024
Drink: 2024-2036

Full bottle 1,325 g. A vintage known as La Generosità by the Ornellaia team, including winemaker Axel Heinz (for the last time).
Lustrous, shaded blackish crimson. Sweet, opulent but fresh nose with great appeal and the merest hint of top-quality oak and just little bit of Cabernet leafiness. Refreshing topnotes. On the savoury finish there is just a suggestion of that high alcohol level but overall it leaves an appetising, persistent impression. Very well made.

Ornellaia.com

At the helm of Ornellaia, the Frescobaldi family brings together a creative mindset, pursuit of excellence and deep respect for traditions that has established Ornellaia as one of the Italy’s most iconic wines. Forty years since its founding, this Super Tuscan has become synonymous with Italian excellence and represents timeless elegance. Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the estate comprises of 99 hectares of the finest vines in Tuscany. Located by the sea but sheltered by neighbouring hills, the southwest facing vineyards embrace the last ray of sunshine that sets over the sea and enjoy a very unique microclimate; coupled with its distinct marine, alluvial and volcanic soil, this terroir is excellent for both perfect ripening as well as stunning views.

Vendemmia d’Artista celebrates the unique character of every Ornellaia vintage with a limited-edition label designed by a different famous contemporary artist every year, since the release of Ornellaia 2006. For the 16th edition, renowned Italian artist Marinella Senatore was invited to interpret the character of the 2021 vintage, choosing to portray the theme through the medium of collage.