“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 €/l7 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 the Ornellaia "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 beginning 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 helm 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 context and re-examines 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 them 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 herbal character, 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 spends 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 in bottle for a further twelve months.

A deep ruby red with brilliant violet highlights. The bouquet offers ripe fruit, blackberry and redcurrant, with spicy notes of cedar and 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 exceptionally precise, 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 and will continue to surprise in years to come. Here comes "La Vitalità". SUPERIORE.DE

"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 contours. harvestwill find an Ornellaia that exudes restraint and finesse rather than power. It is impressive." Vinous

"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 introduce crisp notes of blackcurrant, 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 richness 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 concentration and smoothness, featuring dense, velvety tannins and a long, refreshing acidity. Breathtaking spice and intensity with finely structured depth." James Suckling