The 2003 Ornellaia (magnum) is another impressive wine. Owing to the heat of the vintage, this is an especially ripe, opulent Ornellaia. The blend contains a higher percentage of Cabernet Franc and less Merlot than is the norm, which helps preserve a measure of freshness. It is also the first vintage where Petit Verdot is part of the blend. Dark, jammy fruit is nicely balanced by a vein of minerality that gives the wine clarity and length, yet the tannins are a touch less finessed than in the finest years, which is consistent with the quality of the vintage. The final blend is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, aged a total of 18 months in French oak, 70% new. This is without question a very impressive 2003.

Ripe, lush, sweet, forward, supple textured and ready for its prime time drinking window. There is no touch of heat, or over jammy qualities to the wine, just, sweet, round, very ripe fruits, with a low acid, fleshy profile. Tasted May 2016

Robert Parker''s Wine Advocate 28/02/2007

The opulent 2003 Ornellaia (60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot) presents a dramatic contrast to the 2004 in its super-ripe, open nose and jammy dark fruit. Ample and warm on the palate, it is clearly the product of a very hot vintage, yet it shows notable freshness along with much persistence, great overall balance and a lingering note of sweetness on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018.

Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 256-2700

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Subtle aromas of currant, coffee and blackberry, yet rather coarse on the palate just now. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, long finish. Needs some time to mellow. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best after 2009. 11,300 cases made.

Baked blackcurrants, plums and berries along with wood spice notes dominate the nose. Flavours are similar, with more lift from dried mint notes, as well as leather and smoke. There's lots of glycerol-rich fruit, balanced by crisp acidity. The tannins are still firm, giving texture and structure. Drinking now, but could hold for a further three to five years.

Sweet, rather oaky nose. This wine is on a tightrope trying desperately not to be too hot, nor to show its 14.5 per cent alcohol too obviously. Rather burly, autumnal drying finish. Not a happy whole, and and even a bit of a hole in the middle. (JR)