Tenuta dell'Ornellaia – Ornellaia 1996 – Tuscany Italy

Ornellaia 1996 is a Cabernet Sauvignon-led red from Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast. Merlot and Cabernet Franc complete a three-grape blend shaped by extended French oak aging and a growing season that finished with a warmer September.

🍷 At a Glance

• Grapes: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
• Region / Appellation: Bolgheri DOC Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 1996
• Aging: 18 months in French oak barriques (60% new), followed by 12 months in bottle before release
• Style: Dry, still red; Cabernet-led blend

👃 Tasting Notes & Experience

A Cabernet-led Bolgheri red for drinkers who enjoy structure, savory complexity and the character of a mature vintage. Allow the wine to settle upright before opening, pour carefully around any sediment, and assess its evolution in the glass before deciding whether to decant.

❤️ Why We Love It

• A historical vintage of the estate’s flagship Bolgheri red
• Cabernet Sauvignon supported by Merlot and Cabernet Franc
• An opportunity to explore the developed character of an older Tuscan blend

🍽️ Food Pairing Ideas

• Braised beef or short ribs
• Roast lamb with herbs
• Porcini mushroom pasta or aged Pecorino Toscano

👤 Who This Wine Is For

✓ Collectors exploring mature Bolgheri reds
✓ Cabernet drinkers interested in older Tuscan vintages
✕ Not ideal if you prefer youthful, immediately fruit-forward reds