![]() ![]() These two creative men agreed to pool their resources and make a joint-venture wine in 1978. Opus One was the brainchild of two legendary wine greats, the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild, owner of the great first-growth Bordeaux, Château Mouton Rothschild, and Napa Valley's most famous vintner, Robert Mondavi. And so Opus One is truly a Cabernet Sauvignon, even if not labeled as such. In reality, each vintage produced since its first, in 1979, has been at least 80 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and up to 97 percent in two vintages. Today, Opus One exports over 20 percent of its wines, mainly to Europe, and you can find it on the wine lists of some of the world's best restaurants.Īctually, Opus One is not labeled as a Cabernet Sauvignon, because the producers want the option to use different blends of the five Bordeaux red varieties planted in its vineyards - Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot in addition to Cabernet Sauvignon. But these wines were sort of California's little secret the rest of the world didn't know about California wines back then. It is certainly true that California did produce a few excellent Cabernet Sauvignons even before World War II - Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour Private Reserve, Inglenook, and Simi come to mind. The California wine industry really didn't get moving until 40 years ago, and so it is somewhat amazing that the state can boast of a wine that is regarded by many as world class, but Opus One has attained that status. ![]() That's no surprise, because European wine regions have been established for hundreds of years. Most of the world's well-renowned wines come from Europe - many of them being either Bordeaux or Burgundy. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.Wine Review Online - Opus One: American Royalty Very refined in feel, with seamless structure extending the finish so the fruit can linger. The blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot.Įlegantly styled, despite some serious heft, this offers a mix of alluring mulberry, griotte and cassis notes bearing a gently mulled edge, while flashes of apple wood, sweet bay leaf and red tea flicker along the edges. It's another beautiful wine from this team. I don't think it has the same precision as the 2018, but it brings another level of hedonism. Beautiful black raspberry, cassis, toasted spice, lead pencil, and subtle oak all make an appearance, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a rounded, layered mouthfeel, impressive tannins, and a great finish. Similarly ruby/purple-hued, the 2019 Opus One is cut from the same cloth as the 2018 yet has a touch more baby fat and opulence, at least as this stage. A blend of 78% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 7% petit verdot, 6% cabernet franc and 1% malbec. Fantastic length and structure to the wine, with tightness and focus. The purity of fruit is really something else here, with currants and fresh flowers, such as violets and roses. Tasted as a barrel sample, this is a truly magnificent Opus One in the making! ![]() Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black, blue and red fruits, framed by velvety tannins and background freshness, finishing on a compelling earthy/mineral note. This year, with the 2019s, he was still tweaking the blend, but he did mention that this is "pretty close to the final blend." Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Opus One leaps from the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, Morello cherries, mulberries and fresh blackcurrants plus hints of licorice, wilted roses, Sichuan pepper and iron ore. Winemaker Michael Silacci commented that usually the blends are finished in January or February after the vintage. A delicate dark chocolate bitterness lingers on the finish.īlend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec The freshness and soft glow of acidity create a subtle tension with dark fruit flavors, savory herbs, espresso, and cocoa. The creamy, satiny texture is framed by fine-grained tannins. The Opus One 2019 has intense aromas of black plum, blueberry, black currant, and dried rose petals, accentuated by mineral undertones. **#30 James Suckling's Top 100 USA Wines of 2022** ![]()
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