Wine Notes
Donna Olimpia have done a wonderful job with the 2016 Millepassi. It is big and punchy to start with, lots of fruit and tannins, but then begins to settle and evolve with more nuanced, aromatic layers emerging. It has all the claret like tobacco and leather notes but there is enough fruit and acidity behind them that several years in bottle will meld and mellow.
What we really appreciate about this wine is the quality and thought that goes into it and how well it represents the Bolgheri style whilst still remaining approachable.
Probably the best of the 2016 Bolgheris apart from the Sassicaia and considerably better priced than most.
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
2016 was a very good vintage in Tuscany
Our rating –