Jancis Robinson writes an interesting reflection on a topic that keeps many Bordeaux producers up at night. There seems to be a widening gap between the top end Bordeaux producers, with their time-tested reputations and abundant resources, and the less known and less profitable producers are feeling the burn of falling prices for their wines.
Jancis reports that in several publications that rank the “most powerful brands in fine wine”, Bordeaux has fallen in popularity, being eclipsed by it’s countryman Burgundy.
In two November 2022 tastings in London, Jancis had the chance to blind taste Bordeaux beside some American and Italian counterparts. In the first, 17 wines were tasted, 3 being esteemed Bordeaux and the rest being Napa, Tuscany and Chile. She noted that a Napa wine and the Ornellaia 2006 were her top picks, though the Bordeaux were enjoyable. In the second tasting, the Chateau Montelena Napa Cabernet 2017 stood out as one of the top two wines in another similar tasting.
Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 and Ornellaia 2017 and 2006 are mentioned as “strong recommendations” in her review.
To read more, read the full report HERE.
Italian-new-releases-part-6-the-south-and-islandsRelated Wines
Ornellaia
Ornellaia 2019
Bolgheri DOC Superiore
Ornellaia is the estate's "Grand Vin," with exceptional balance, power, elegance, and great aging potential. It faithfully reflects, in every vintage, its nature, site, and distinctive Mediterranean personality. This years cuvee is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc.
Chateau Montelena
Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is Chateau Montelena’s flagship wine and a quality icon of Napa Valley. The winemaking team works obsessively and passionately with each vintage to capture the best expression of their historic terroir. This is a show-stopper that reveals the perfect blend of flavors, aromas and textures to reach the pinnacle of balance.
Related Producers
Chateau Montelena
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
In 1976 Chateau Montelena put California at the forefront of the wine world. That year a who's-who of the French wine establishment gathered in Paris for a blind tasting of French and American wines. When the scores were tallied, the top-ranking white wine was Chateau Montelena's 1973 Chardonnay. Montelena today continues to be a quality benchmark in Napa Valley, producing some of the finest Cabernet and Chardonnay in California.
Ornellaia
Bolgheri, Italy
Ornellaia has established itself as one of the most iconic producers in Italy (and beyond). The estate is dedicated to producing charming and opulent wines, full of Mediterranean character and finesse, reflecting the estate's unique terroir in Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast.
