Tenuta dell'Ornellaia – Ornellaia 1998 – Tuscany Italy

Ornellaia 1998 is a Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bolgheri red with a substantial Merlot component and a small contribution from Cabernet Franc. The estate vinified and aged the vineyard lots separately before blending this Tuscan coastal wine.

🍷 At a Glance

• Grapes: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc
• Region / Appellation: Bolgheri DOC Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
• Vintage: 1998
• Aging: 18 months in French oak barriques (50% new), followed by 12 months in bottle before release
• Style: Dry, still red; Cabernet-led blend

👃 Tasting Notes & Experience

The blend brings together Cabernet structure and Merlot’s rounder texture in a traditional oak-aged Bolgheri style. This is a mature vintage for an unhurried meal; careful pouring and a first assessment in the glass are more useful than an automatic long decant.

❤️ Why We Love It

• A three-variety blend from an established Bolgheri estate
• Separate vinification and aging of the vineyard lots before blending
• A mature alternative to the estate’s more recent releases

🍽️ 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 comparing older Ornellaia vintages
✓ Drinkers who enjoy developed Cabernet-based blends with food
✕ Not ideal if you want a light red or a young, primary-fruit style