Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore 2022

Ornellaia! 99, 98, 97, 96+, 96, 95 points... We love to see it! “This vintage will appeal to die-hard Ornellaia enthusiasts,” Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate states in its 97-point review, and we’re sure $100 in savings only ups the ante.

The pristine coastal climate and diverse soils of Bolgheri have drawn direct comparisons to Bordeaux and have propped it up as one of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions. Ornellaia is considered to be one of the shining stars of the region and has shot up to the top of the pack of Super Tuscans with its artful blending techniques and careful sourcing.

Although 2022 was considered a trickier year, with exceedingly hot, dry weather, the team behind Ornellaia was able to pull off a stunning Hail Mary. As Vinous stated in its 96-point score: “More than anything else, the 2022 is a reminder of how important a tool blending is, especially in challenging years... The 2022 Ornellaia is clearly among the most successful wines of the vintage.” We must agree!

Let’s talk about that blending. Fruit from more than EIGHTY parcels go into the final bottling – including hallowed sites like Bellaria, Bellaria Nuova, Bellaria Alta, Pero, Fosso, Vigna Vecchia, and Stallina. The breakdown is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot (more Petit Verdot than prior vintages to add more structure to the overall personality). Even with so many concentrated, richly fruited elements, it still carries a vibrant elegance, a lightness that weaves a poised grace throughout its brute power.

The wine opens with a deep, brooding core of cassis, crushed blackberry, and dark plum, wrapped in a sensual veil of graphite, cedar, and warm Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, it is dense yet impeccably sculpted, as velvety tannins glide beneath layers of ripe fruit, cocoa, and espresso, while a streak of saline minerality keeps the richness taut and lifted. The finish is long and resonant, with a smoldering warmth that feels both powerful and controlled. This truly shows the estate’s ability to achieve excellence even in tough vintages and will age beautifully for decades to come. We only have a few cases available, and for $100 off, with free shipping on two, this is your chance to bring home a real treasure! 

PAIRING IDEAS: This is a wine whose brilliance needs a simple counterpart in order for it to really shine. I’m loading up a steak sandwich on ciabatta bread with horseradish mayo and arugula, and my mouth is already watering at the thought of these two powerhouse items side by side.