From the Bozzolino and Giardino vineyards, planted in 1984 in Sant’Angelo in Colle, a hilly area approx. 350 meters (1,200 feet) above sea level, enjoying a south-southwest exposure near Montalcino in the province of Siena, Tuscany. Soil here is of medium weight with some calcareous pebbles.

Review

Wine Advocate April 27, 2010 89 Points Olmaia Cabernet 2005 - 89 Points, Wine Advocate ------------------------------------------ ...is a classy, elegant red... wine offers racy aromatics wedded to a core of silky, perfumed fruit, with a long, refined finish...Col d'Orcia, one of Montalcino's historic properties, is located in Sant'Angelo in Colle in the southern part of the appellation. ------------------------------------------ Wine Enthusiast March 2010 92 Points Olmaia 2005 ------------------------------------------ Olmaia delivers power and intensity with interwoven tones of ripe fruit, spice, forest floor and leather. The wine exhibits a rich and smooth texture that helps drive it along the palate in a soft and very pleasurable manner. ------------------------------------------ Wine & Spirits December 1, 2009 90 Points Olmaia 2005 ------------------------------------------ This combines ripe currant, dried rose and cool cassis flavors over an earthy, dusty frame. ------------------------------------------ Wine Spectator October 31, 2009 Olmaia 2005 - Wine Spectator ------------------------------------------ Offers mineral and berry aromas, with hints of licorice. Full-bodied, with a dense palate and a silky tannin structure. ------------------------------------------ Restaurant Wine September 2009 4 Stars Olmaia 2005 - 4 Stars, Restaurant Wine ------------------------------------------ Powerful and complex; this is an intensely flavored Cabernet blend, with excellent depth and length. It is long on the finish, and tastes of black currant, cedar, toast, black cherry, and spicy oak. ------------------------------------------ International Wine & Spirit Competition August 2009 Silver Medal Olmaia 2004 - Silver Medal & Best in Class, International WIne & Spirits Competition ------------------------------------------ The colour is deep garnet with a brick edge. There is a perfect note of maturity on the nose which is sublime and in which oak and fruit are perfectly and harmoniously combined. The palate is refined, silky and surprisingly light, with a touch of savoury spice and cranberries. This is perfect for drinking now. ------------------------------------------ The Tasting Panel August 2009 90 Points Olmaia 2005 - 90 Points, The Tasting Panel ------------------------------------------ Silky smooth and juicy with plum, spice, minerals and a bright acidity; from vineyards near Montalcino. ------------------------------------------ Santé June 2008 Olmaia 2005 - Sante ------------------------------------------ Big dark cherry presence with hints of chocolate and dense, penetrating aromas of spice. Full bodied with a velvety texture and long, delicious finish. Finest cuts of meat. ------------------------------------------ Wine Enthusiast December 31, 2008 95 Points The Enthusiast 100 of 2008 – Editors Pick the Must-Have Wines of 2008 ------------------------------------------ Wine Enthusiast April 2008 95 Points ------------------------------------------ Olmaia is a pure expression of Cabernet Sauvignon that hits all the right marks. You can taste the variety's natural flavors but they never seem green or medicinal. Instead the wine is plush, soft, round and opulent, with ideal harmony and balance and beautiful delivery of chocolate, cherry, vanilla and herbal aromas. The wine almost exaggerates, if possible, its generosity and roundness. ------------------------------------------ Wine Spectator May 15, 2007 92 Points Top Italian Cabernet Sauvignon Producers ------------------------------------------ This Brunello di Montalcino house has made the pure Cabernet Sauvignon Olmaia in almost every vintage since the wine debuted in 1990. ------------------------------------------ Wine Spectator May 15, 2007 90 Points Top Italian Cabernet Sauvignon Producers ------------------------------------------ This Brunello di Montalcino house has made the pure Cabernet Sauvignon Olmaia in almost every vintage since the wine debuted in 1990. ------------------------------------------ Wine & Spirits April 2007 90 Points ------------------------------------------ Wine Investor Buyer’s Guide March 2006 * * The Informed Enophile: Focus On Italy ------------------------------------------ Medium deep ruby purple. Closed nose hints of plum. Soft entry and very tannic. Toast and plum flavors are not typical for Cab; medium finish. ------------------------------------------ Luxury Web February 2006 Levels of Greatness ------------------------------------------ I think the best wines in the tasting were at the Col d'Orcia table. The 2000 Col d'Orcia Olmaia, is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, a rich, mouth-filling beauty. ------------------------------------------ Luxury Web January 2006 Best Wines Tasted in 2005 ------------------------------------------ 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Color: brilliant ruby with violet hues. Aromas: black forest fruit, cedar, with a hint of chocolate, cloves and saddle leather. Palate: full body with well-structured tannins, buttery mouthfeel. Long finish. Worth cellaring. ------------------------------------------ Gambero Rosso Guide to Italian Wines October 2005 Gambero Rosso Winners 2006 ------------------------------------------ Wine Advocate April 29, 2005 87 Points ------------------------------------------ Col d'Orcia continues to turn out the best wines of any of the larger houses of Montalcino. The 2000 Olmaia is quite typical of Tuscan Cabernet in a hot year, dark in color but not entirely saturated, warm and alcoholic on the nose and palate, a good expression of cassis and herbs. Drink 2005-2010. ------------------------------------------ Wine Advocate April 29, 2005 89 Points ------------------------------------------ Col d'Orcia continues to turn out the best wines of any of the larger houses of Montalcino. Deeper and more sustained in its ruby color, the black fruit, minerals, and herbs are notably fresher in aroma and the palate is rounder, firmer, and more balanced. Drink 2005-2014. ------------------------------------------ Wine Enthusiast April 2005 91 Points Buying Guide ------------------------------------------ ...fine aromas and flavors of smoke, cassis, chocolate and lead pencil are reminiscent of a fine Pauillac, while the creamy mouthfeel and mouthwatering finish are uniquely Tuscan. Echoes nicely on the finish, conjuring up licorice and spice notes. ------------------------------------------ Luxury Web March 2005 Levels of Greatness ------------------------------------------ The Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino showed off the wines of over 40 Brunello producers. There were too many wines plus a few grappas to taste within a few hours, but I made a valiant effort. But I think the best tasting were at the Col d'Orcia table. The Olmaia is 100% cabernet sauvignon, a rich, mouth-filling beauty. ------------------------------------------ Gambero Rosso Guide to Italian Wines October 23, 2004 2005 Tre Bicchieri ("Three Glasses") Selections Include Ten Top Wines from Palm Bay Imports ------------------------------------------ Wine Spectator October 15, 2004 92 Points New Releases ------------------------------------------ Lots of ripe fruit, meat and cedar character on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, with loads of berry and plum character and a wild, exotic fruit finish. Stylish. Best after 2005. ------------------------------------------ Wine Spectator October 15, 2004 90 Points New Releases ------------------------------------------ A very pleasing red with blackberry, cherry and coffee aromas and flavors. Bright and exciting. Full-bodied, with firm tannins and a long finish. Very tight. Best after 2006. ------------------------------------------ Wine & Spirits April 2004 90 Points ------------------------------------------ An international style of cabernet (in contrast to the traditional Brunello Riserva recommended from Col d'Orcia above), this is a smooth, sweet and plummy red. The fruit is compacted within its oak, melding with scents of coconut and chocolate, finishing tight, juicy and firm. A crowd pleaser for a steakhouse. ------------------------------------------

Wine maker notes

Grapes are fermented on the skins for 20 days in 150 hl stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of less than 30ºC. The wine is then aged in new French oak barriques (Allier, Tronçais and Blois) for 18 months, followed by refinement in the bottle for an additional 12 months.

Technical notes

13.7% abv

Food pairing

Well matched with roasts, grilled meats and game; decant before serving.