“Ornellaia” Bolgheri Superiore DOC 2023 · artist label “Vendemmia d’Artista – La Vitalità“

Ornellaia | Tuscany
Ornellaia S.r.l. | Loc. Ornellaia 191 | IT 57022 Castagneto Carducci

09283823 · 0,75 l · 398,67 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shipping7 units available
Limitation of 1 articles per customer

It is by no means a given that we will once again be able to offer you a few bottles of the rare 18th edition of Ornellaia's "Vendemmia d'Artista" 2023 in 0.75-litre bottles this year. As usual, this special edition is rare and highly sought-after, as each wooden case of six contains just one bottle of this limited-edition collector's item.

The theme for 2023 is "La Vitalità". And in this vintage, it describes not only the wine, but also the start of a new chapter. Marco Balsimelli, who has been director since January 2024 and trained at Boissenot and at Gruaud-Larose in Bordeaux, took the reins at Ornellaia in the very winter when the 2023 vintage was still ageing in the barrels. It was his first complete vintage – from the selection of the plots through to the blending and bottling. A debut under the watchful eye of the wine world. And the result proves him right.

For the 18th edition, the winery invited Marina Abramović, one of the most significant and influential contemporary performance artists. Born in Belgrade, the Serbian artist, who has shaped performance as a visual art form since the early 1970s, has always used her body as her central means of expression. For Ornellaia, she chose a theme that runs through her entire body of work: the self as an act of self-awareness. At the heart of the project is a self-portrait as Medusa – the mythological figure whom Abramović reinterprets in a contemporary key, re-examining her as a symbol of transformation and vitality. Printed on the sole Salmanazar in the edition are her instructions to the viewer: "Drink the wine slowly with your eyes closed whilst listening to music." All proceeds from the Bonhams auction will go to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, which will use the funds to support the exhibition "Guggenheim Pop: 1960 to Now" in New York.

The blend is classic: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon forms the foundation, 26% Merlot provides body and roundness, 12% Cabernet Franc lends finesse and a fresh, herbaceous structure, whilst 7% Petit Verdot adds distinctive notes. Over 70 plots from the two main vineyards, Ornellaia and Bellaria, with complex soil types – marine-sedimentary, alluvial-loamy and volcanic – are vinified separately. Around 80 base wines are produced before the blending takes place in the second year. The wine is aged for 18 months in French barriques, 70% of which are new, with deliberately varied coopers, toasting levels and wood from different forests. It is then aged for a further twelve months in bottle.

A deep ruby red with brilliant violet highlights. On the nose, ripe fruit, blackberry and redcurrant, with spicy notes of cedar, sweet tobacco and a subtle hint of toast. On the palate, it is juicy, fresh and dynamic – underpinned by a hint of acacia honey that reveals the vintage’s character. The tannins are silky and meticulously refined, whilst the finish is long and characterised by a rich, Mediterranean persistence. "The density is counterbalanced by elegance and balance," says Balsimelli. A wine that is already captivating now and will continue to surprise for years to come. Introducing "La Vitalità". SUPERIORE.DE

"Very pronounced, sweet aromas that almost leap out of the glass, blackberry jelly, dried blueberries, followed immediately by sweet spices and light, pale chocolate; later, Tahitian vanilla emerges, and as the wine breathes, increasingly floral notes develop, along with hints of black cherries and a touch of ripe citrus. Very approachable on the palate, silky, almost unassuming at first, but becoming juicy and powerful in the mid-palate, with perfectly integrated oak." Weinwisser

"The 2023 Ornellaia is elegant from the very first sip and displays the utmost finesse. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, dried herbs, liquorice and lavender blend together in the glass to form a harmonious whole. There are no harsh edges or rough edges. harvestwill find an Ornellaia that exudes restraint and finesse rather than power. It is impressive." Vinous

"This red wine is rich in aromas and flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, iron and toasted oak – it is pure, opulent and dark. As it develops on the palate, dense yet refined tannins emerge, along with notes of wild herbs. It shows excellent potential, but seems to be holding back a little at present." Wine Spectator

"A surprisingly light and refined Ornellaia – the first full vintage produced under the supervision of former Bordeaux winemaker Marco Balsimelli. Aromas of roses and violets give way to crisp notes of wild berries, complemented by hints of menthol, cardamom, black pepper and petrichor. Airy and fresh, with good intensity, it is slender and vertical on the palate, with fine, slightly firm but ripe tannins and a delicious spiciness." Decanter

"The careful selection of the grapes made all the difference. The wine captivates with its impressive richness and concentration, as well as a complex, botanical bouquet characterised by dark fruits, Mediterranean thyme and rosemary. At the tasting, the nose was still somewhat closed, but this will unfold in time. The texture is velvety and refined, conveying a wonderful fullness with a juiciness that spreads widely across the palate." Wine Advocate

"Restrained and complex, with aromas of cloves, graphite, bark, Mediterranean scrub and dark yet fresh blackberries. On the full-bodied palate, it captivates with its body and smoothness, featuring dense, velvety tannins and a long, refreshing acidity. Breathtaking spice and intensity with finely structured depth." James Suckling