WINEMAKER NOTES
1998 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
The desire to nurture the Estate’s exceptional qualities has shaped Ornellaia’s philosophy since the beginning. 1998 Ornellaia is a cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot and the faithful expression of unique terroir developed in harmony with nature.
60% CABERNET SAUVIGNON
35% MERLOT
5% CABERNET FRANC
Winter this year was more severe than in 1998, with budbreak occurring one week later. Spring was within average parameters however, with normal levels of rain and temperatures, so that flowering and vegetative growth proceeded at a rate very close to the previous year. Optimal weather conditions during flowering ensured better-than-average fruit set and a larger-than-expected crop per vine.
A hot, rainless summer brought an early ‘veraison’, one week earlier than in recent years, and the berries were of good quality and uniform size. In early July, cluster-thinning was carried out in Merlot, removing up to 50% of the clusters in some vineyards and 10% in others, while Cabernet lost about 10%.
The Merlot harvest started during the first week in September and continued through the middle of the month. At that point, picking began in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which concluded in the beginning of October. The fruit brought into the cellar was in outstanding condition and exhibited uniform ripeness. All the grapes were hand-picked into small, 15-kg boxes. It is noteworthy that this year’s Cabernet Sauvignon is of particularly fine quality.
VINIFICATION AND AGEING
On harvesting, the grapes were destemmed and crushed before being introduced partially in wooden fermentors and partially in stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. & Maceration continued for a period of 20-25 days after which the wine was transferred into new French oak barriques (60% new and 40% once-used) where it completed its malolactic fermentation.
Each single variety and each vineyard lot was aged separately. The wine remained in barriques in the temperature controlled cellars at Tenuta dell’Ornellaia for a period of 18 months. After the first 12 months the master blend was made and the wine was reintroduced into the barriques for the remaining 6 months period and then bottled. A further refinement period of 12 months in the bottle followed, & prior to release.
Shipping Information
Domestic Shipping
We currently ship wine to eligible U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS or FedEx, so please plan according to the carrier's delivery schedule.
Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday will ship the following Monday.
Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles Metro area if placed before noon. Please contact us at (626) 714-7006 to arrange expedited local service.
Packaging & Temperature-Sensitive Shipping
To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers, with gel packs when necessary.
Wine is temperature-sensitive and may be affected by excessive heat, freezing temperatures, or significant temperature fluctuations during transit. During periods of elevated temperature risk, we strongly recommend selecting Next Day Air service whenever available.
Customers requesting shipment during warm or cold weather conditions must review and agree to our Temperature Protection & Shipping Policy. By requesting shipment, customers acknowledge and accept the risks associated with temperature exposure, carrier delays, failed delivery attempts, and other transit-related conditions outside of Angry Wine Merchant's control.
For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, bottles are removed and shipped in foam for safety. The wooden case ships separately via Ground unless otherwise requested.
Weather Holds & Free Storage
In periods of extreme heat or cold, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safer conditions return. Customers may also request that we hold an order for future shipment.
We offer complimentary temperature-controlled storage for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the "Hold for Weather" option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping at a later date.
Insurance
We provide free shipping insurance for loss or visible damage during transit, subject to carrier terms and conditions.
Shipping insurance does not cover deterioration in wine condition resulting from heat exposure, freezing temperatures, temperature fluctuations, carrier delays, missed delivery attempts, carrier holds, or other temperature-related transit conditions. Please review our Temperature Protection & Shipping Policy for more information.
Adult Signature Required
All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that an eligible adult is available to receive the shipment on the first delivery attempt. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, failed delivery attempts, returned shipments, or reshipment.
Shipping Address Accuracy
Orders are shipped to the exact shipping address provided at checkout. Angry Wine Merchant is not responsible for errors or omissions in the address submitted by the customer.
If a package is delayed, returned, misdelivered, or requires rerouting due to incorrect or incomplete shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if reshipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.
International Shipping
We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.
States We Ship To
We ship to the following U.S. states:
Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)
Shipping laws and carrier availability may change. If your state does not appear as an available shipping destination during checkout, we are unable to ship there at this time. Please contact us if you would like to confirm current eligibility.
1998 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
The desire to nurture the Estate’s exceptional qualities has shaped Ornellaia’s philosophy since the beginning. 1998 Ornellaia is a cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot and the faithful expression of unique terroir developed in harmony with nature.
60% CABERNET SAUVIGNON
35% MERLOT
5% CABERNET FRANC
Winter this year was more severe than in 1998, with budbreak occurring one week later. Spring was within average parameters however, with normal levels of rain and temperatures, so that flowering and vegetative growth proceeded at a rate very close to the previous year. Optimal weather conditions during flowering ensured better-than-average fruit set and a larger-than-expected crop per vine.
A hot, rainless summer brought an early ‘veraison’, one week earlier than in recent years, and the berries were of good quality and uniform size. In early July, cluster-thinning was carried out in Merlot, removing up to 50% of the clusters in some vineyards and 10% in others, while Cabernet lost about 10%.
The Merlot harvest started during the first week in September and continued through the middle of the month. At that point, picking began in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which concluded in the beginning of October. The fruit brought into the cellar was in outstanding condition and exhibited uniform ripeness. All the grapes were hand-picked into small, 15-kg boxes. It is noteworthy that this year’s Cabernet Sauvignon is of particularly fine quality.
VINIFICATION AND AGEING
On harvesting, the grapes were destemmed and crushed before being introduced partially in wooden fermentors and partially in stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. & Maceration continued for a period of 20-25 days after which the wine was transferred into new French oak barriques (60% new and 40% once-used) where it completed its malolactic fermentation.
Each single variety and each vineyard lot was aged separately. The wine remained in barriques in the temperature controlled cellars at Tenuta dell’Ornellaia for a period of 18 months. After the first 12 months the master blend was made and the wine was reintroduced into the barriques for the remaining 6 months period and then bottled. A further refinement period of 12 months in the bottle followed, & prior to release.
1998 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy
The desire to nurture the Estate’s exceptional qualities has shaped Ornellaia’s philosophy since the beginning. 1998 Ornellaia is a cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Petit Verdot and the faithful expression of unique terroir developed in harmony with nature.
60% CABERNET SAUVIGNON
35% MERLOT
5% CABERNET FRANC
Winter this year was more severe than in 1998, with budbreak occurring one week later. Spring was within average parameters however, with normal levels of rain and temperatures, so that flowering and vegetative growth proceeded at a rate very close to the previous year. Optimal weather conditions during flowering ensured better-than-average fruit set and a larger-than-expected crop per vine.
A hot, rainless summer brought an early ‘veraison’, one week earlier than in recent years, and the berries were of good quality and uniform size. In early July, cluster-thinning was carried out in Merlot, removing up to 50% of the clusters in some vineyards and 10% in others, while Cabernet lost about 10%.
The Merlot harvest started during the first week in September and continued through the middle of the month. At that point, picking began in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which concluded in the beginning of October. The fruit brought into the cellar was in outstanding condition and exhibited uniform ripeness. All the grapes were hand-picked into small, 15-kg boxes. It is noteworthy that this year’s Cabernet Sauvignon is of particularly fine quality.
VINIFICATION AND AGEING
On harvesting, the grapes were destemmed and crushed before being introduced partially in wooden fermentors and partially in stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place at a temperature not exceeding 30°C. & Maceration continued for a period of 20-25 days after which the wine was transferred into new French oak barriques (60% new and 40% once-used) where it completed its malolactic fermentation.
Each single variety and each vineyard lot was aged separately. The wine remained in barriques in the temperature controlled cellars at Tenuta dell’Ornellaia for a period of 18 months. After the first 12 months the master blend was made and the wine was reintroduced into the barriques for the remaining 6 months period and then bottled. A further refinement period of 12 months in the bottle followed, & prior to release.
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