2012/2018/2019 Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore

Ornellaia was founded in 1981 by Ludovico Antinori, the brother of Piero Antinori (head of the eponymous estate in Chianti). Ludovico was inspired by his cousin, the Marchese Incisa della Rocheta, the proprietor of Sassicaia, to establish vineyards & a winery in Bolgheri. It is remarkable how in a short span Ornellaia, which was built on the right bank model of Merlot dominance (to Sassicaia's, Cabernet Sauvignon), quickly gained notoriety. And together with the second wine, the fabulous value Le Serre Nouve, they add not only to the reputation of Bolgheri but indeed, all of Italy. In a tragic development, Ludovico, when he sought to off-load a part of his Tenuta, just to raise some capital, approached the Mondavi's of Napa Valley in 2001 the Mondavi's came to the signing table armed with a contract and lethal American lawyers, against Ludovico's traditional handshake, he ended up losing complete control over the winery a couple of years later