The 2001 Ornellaia (magnum) offers up violets, black cherries, minerals and earthiness in a big, structured style. The wine’s sheer intensity and thrust are nothing short of remarkable. Ideally, readers will give the 2001 another few years in bottle; as it is truly majestic stuff but will require patience. The 2001 Ornellaia is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The wine spent 18 months in French oak (70% new) prior to being lightly fined and bottled.

Robert Parker''s Wine Advocate 30/05/2009

Deep garnet-purple. Complex notes of warm cassis, blackberries, mocha, forest floor and a touch of truffles.The medium to full bodied palate is solidly structured with a great backbone of high acidity and medium to firm, finely grained tannins. Layer upon layer of dark berry and earth flavours. Very long finish. Drink now to 2019. Tasted March 2009.

The 2001 Ornellaia is easily the finest in the history of the estate, warm and spicy on the nose with superbly focused plum and black currant fruit, much complexity and elegance in its concentrated and supple body, and a velvety, enveloping close. It will easily drink well for another two decades. (96)

The 2001 Ornellaia is easily the finest in the history of the estate, warm and spicy on the nose with superbly focused plum and black currant fruit, much complexity and elegance in its concentrated and supple body, and a velvety, enveloping close. It will easily drink well for another two decades. Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 256-2700

Deep garnet-purple. Complex notes of warm cassis, blackberries, mocha, forest floor and a touch of truffles.The medium to full bodied palate is solidly structured with a great backbone of high acidity and medium to firm, finely grained tannins. Layer upon layer of dark berry and earth flavours. Very long finish. Drink now to 2019. Tasted March 2009.

(14. 6% alcohol). Saturated ruby-red. Flamboyant, upfront aromas of black- and redcurrant, raspberry, strawberry, chocolate, mocha and violet pastille. Big, rich, sweet and deep, with superripe, distinctly Mediterranean flavors of blueberry, strawberry and chocolate, kept fresh by sound acidity. Conveys an impression of powerful extract. Finishes with superb, noble tannins and mounting flavors of red fruits, licorice and chocolate. This extremely young wine's solid structure is currently hidden by its sheer chewy sweetness of fruit. This was the first vintage made by Duroux, and it struck me as especially strong in extract if a bit youthfully disorganized. But note that I tasted it about nine months before it was scheduled to be released.

This has a very intense, almost broody nose of blackberry, fresh tobacco, tomato vine and a touch of chimney soot. Good definition and lots of character. The palate is medium-bodied, very balanced, a little spicy, backward, really clamming up on the tannic, almost brutish finish. This Ornellaia seems to be at a slightly awkward stage and would benefit from another 4-5 years in the cellar at it is a bit tough. Drink 2012-2025. Tasted October 2008.

Very dark crimson. More minerality than many and some freshness too (cf 2000 and 1997). Neat and intense but still very youthful. Vibrates with all the elements in there –including that fine stoniness. 14.5% CS:M:CF 65:30:5 153,000 bottles (JR)