The acquisition of additional vineyard plots, including 65 hectares of the mythical To Kalon vineyard, was key to this surge in concentration, structure and wondrous perfume. Today, it is quite simply one of the most iconic and revered wines made in California, and the world.įollowing the sale of Mondavi to Constellation Brands in 2004, Opus One took full control of the vineyards and winery, leading to a noticeable improvement in quality. The first vintage, 1979, was released in 1984 and soon Opus One earned a reputation for just this harmonious union of Old World and New. Their goal was to craft a wine that combined the intensity and fruit purity of Napa, with the elegance of legendary Bordeaux. Established in 1979 as a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, the two met in typically glamourous fashion whilst holidaying in Hawaii a few years earlier. Drink up to 2020.Opus One is arguably Napa's most famous winery. Slight animal notes and spicy, long, ripe, confit black fruit, pruny finish. Palate rich, ripe and tannic, with sweet, leathery structure and very good fruit concentration. Nose evolved, pungent, new leather, black cherry fruit. (13.5% abv 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot) Tannins crisp, alcohol warm, but lovely freshness on the palate. ![]() ![]() Silky-smooth mouthfeel, less obviously ripe and dense than 2005, elegant style. (14.4% abv 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec)īright, glossy. Youthful and fresh in the mouth, with well rounded tannins. Palate sweet, warm and ripe, with cassis, primary fruit. Nose meaty, complex and intense, bready, black fruited, pruney, figgy, and cassis. (14% abv 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet France, 3% Petit Verdot, 1 % Malbec)īright, glossy, purple-ruby colour. ![]() Successful, very savoury, more austere style. Alcohol seems higher, though still in balance. Less generous fruit apparent compared to 1979. Palate has vigorous fruit, with mature, earthy, leathery notes and firm but integrated tannins. Intense, smoky, leathery, mature nose (more mature than 79?). (12.5% abv 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot)ĭark, moderately dense colour. The tasting highlighted Opus One’s evolution and included a selection of Silacci’s favourite vintages. Today Opus One remains jointly and equally owned with Baroness Philippine de Rothschild. The Robert Mondavi Winery’s 50% share in the company passed to Constellation Brands on its acquisition in 2004. In 1981 a case of the first vintage of Opus One became the most expensive California wine sold to date, at $24,000. Opus One was born of the shared vision of two of the wine world’s most legendary figures: Baron Philippe de Rothschild, owner of Château Mouton Rothschild, and Robert Mondavi. ![]() He pointed out that the relative rise in alcohol levels in Opus One was moderate in the context of other Cabernet-based wines from California (12.9% in 1979 compared to 14.4% for the 2006 vintage), and that this is a trend that is not limited to California but extends to other regions, including Bordeaux. Silacci, whose first vintage at the winery was 2001, said that he aimed to ‘enhance tradition and maintain innovation’. September releases 2022: full score table.Rhône 2021 score table: top white wines.March releases on the Place de Bordeaux 2023.
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