2019 Le Volte dell'Ornellaia 750 ml

When world-renowned wine critic Antonio Galloni sat down with us for the Wine Access Unfiltered podcast, he revealed one of the secrets he’s learned to finding amazing wines at great values: “Buy the least expensive wines from the best producers,” he said. Because “you know that every wine they make is going to be somewhere between outstanding to just tremendous.” 

That’s Ornellaia’s 2019 Le Volte. Great value? Check. We’ve got it for just $23—32% off the SRP. Best producer? Check. Ornellaia is a collector-coveted superstar, often referred to as an Italian “First Growth,” and Galloni said their wines “have never failed to literally send shivers down my spine.”

So it’s not surprising that he loved this 2019, praising it as “wonderfully expressive,” and “an especially fine vintage.” This is a sumptuous and complex bottle, with aromas of black cherry, raspberry, plum, wild sage, violet, and cedar. On the palate, rich black fruit accompanies fresh acidity, subtle tannins, and notes of licorice, earth, and tobacco—giving this wine what Decanter calls “opulence in the final glass.” 

Critics and collectors equate Ornellaia to the First Growths because their grand vin delivers the same kind of quality. And just like their Bordeaux counterparts, Ornellaia’s more modestly priced bottles are some of the best values you’ll find, thanks to the estate’s resources, winemaking pedigree, and incredibly high standards. Every single wine they put out, whether it’s $250 or less than $25, contains their considerable viticultural expertise, attention to detail, and terroir. 

Just look at Ornellaia’s vineyards. Their original Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted by the legendary Russian-born enologist André Tchelistcheff, who called the property a viticultural “El Dorado.” Today, the vines are tended by Axel Heinz, whom Galloni called “one of the world’s most in-demand winemakers,” and his protégée, Olga Fusari.

Heinz and Fusari blend their Merlot and Cabernet with Sangiovese from carefully selected sites, fermenting each variety separately to draw out its unique characteristics. They then age the wine for ten months in barriques and cement tanks, maintaining a delicate balance between tannic structure and bold fruit flavors. 

The result is a wine that is delicious right now, yet has the stuffing to age for another six or seven years with ease. It’s a chance to experience what makes Ornellaia a worldwide icon, without paying the triple-digit price.