Wine Notes
We’re continuing with single grape varieties but this time a more obscure one: a 100% Petit Verdot, and continuing in the Super Tuscan tradition of breaking rules, this one is breaking even the now broad rules of the Bolgheri DOC. So this could potentially be considered to be a Super Super Tuscan. 2015 was the first vintage of this immense wine, which is produced in extremely small quantities by the Donna Olimpia estate, which is surrounded by the Ornellaia, Sassicaia, and Guado al Tasso vineyards in the centre of the Bolgheri basin. Petit Verdot is a difficult grape to make varietal wine from, and other examples we have tried from around the world have not been that successful, but this is a well-balanced wine for all its intensity and we look forward to learning more about what an exceptional wine we believe it will become over the next 10-20 years.
Additional Wine Notes
2015 was the first vintage for this silky 100% Petit Verdot Super Tuscan and 2015 was a great vintage to start on. So far there have only been two vintages released: both are good but the 2016 is excellent.
We would recommend buying a case before it is noticed by the reviewers…
Producer Notes
Donna Olimpia is well placed to challenge the leaders in the Super Tuscan market, their immediate neighbours being Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia) to the North, Tenuta Ornellaia to the East, and Marchesi Antinori (Guado Al Tasso) to the South.
Whilst we have enjoyed a number of older vintages, particularly the 2009 and 2013, of Donna Olimpia’s flagship Super Tuscan, Millepassi, it has not quite lived up to its prestigious neighbours. In the last few years things have been improving though: the 2015 and 2016 Millepassis were excellent and the introduction of the 100% Petit Verdot Orizzonte in 2015 is putting Donna Olimpia on the up.
There is also always good value to be found in good vintages amongst their entry level wines, and particularly in their Bolgheri Bianco (a blend of Vermentino, Viognier, and Petit Manseng), which is excellent value even in weaker vintages.
One to watch over the next few years, we think.
Vintage Notes
2015 was a very good vintage in Tuscany
Other vintages of Donna Olimpia 1898 Orizzonte (Magnum)
Other wines from Donna Olimpia
2011 Millepassi: £56
2016 Millepassi (300cl): £260
2016 Millepassi (150cl): £120
2016 Millepassi: £55
Our rating –