Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

9.3103 ratings
9.121 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Top Notes For
Jay Kline

Opened about four hours prior to service and allowed to breath. Two bottles were opened tonight from the same cellar and one of the corks showed some small signs of seepage but both wines showed equally. No formal notes. The 1997 Opus One pours a fairly youthful looking deep ruby color with moderate signs of sediment and a near opaque core. The nose exhibited powerful aromas of dark fruits, organic earth, tobacco, leather, horse blanket (brettanomyces?!), and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and the structure remains quite firm but the texture is plush and almost chewy. The notes on the nose are confirmed and the finish is long and satisfying.

But the tasting notes only tell half the story here. This was consumed alongside a 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Had these been served together double-blind, I would have absolutely understood if someone called both as left-bank Bordeaux. Yes, the texture was plush and yes, the color was dark(er), but only just. It was just waaaay more Old World leaning to me with the earth and presence of brett. Which makes me wonder, why hasn’t brett been noted very often in other TN’s for this wine? Only (Charlie Carnes and OneFive) really address it directly and maybe this is what most are getting at when they mention “Bordeaux-like” and all the Pauillac vibes. What I can confirm is that these notes were consistent between two bottles from the same case, still in their tissue paper, so I’m reasonably confident that this is characteristic of the 1997 Opus One. I digress; I liked the wine. There, I said it. It was a bit of a one foot in Old School Napa, one foot in New School Napa, handled with an Old World touch. I liked it even better side-by-side with the ’90 Mouton, especially considering the relationship between the two. That being said, folks that can’t get down with a little brett will be turned off by this vintage of Opus. In my case, I would enjoy another opportunity to drink the 1997 some time. Great now with some air to stretch its legs and should be enjoyable through the next decade.

Opened about four hours prior to service and allowed to breath. Two bottles were opened tonight from the same cellar and one of the corks showed some small signs of seepage but both wines showed equally. No formal notes. The 1997 Opus One pours a fairly youthful looking deep ruby color with moderate signs of sediment and a near opaque core. The nose exhibited powerful aromas of dark fruits, organic earth, tobacco, leather, horse blanket (brettanomyces?!), and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry and the structure remains quite firm but the texture is plush and almost chewy. The notes on the nose are confirmed and the finish is long and satisfying.

But the tasting notes only tell half the story here. This was consumed alongside a 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Had these been served together double-blind, I would have absolutely understood if someone called both as left-bank Bordeaux. Yes, the texture was plush and yes, the color was dark(er), but only just. It was just waaaay more Old World leaning to me with the earth and presence of brett. Which makes me wonder, why hasn’t brett been noted very often in other TN’s for this wine? Only (Charlie Carnes and OneFive) really address it directly and maybe this is what most are getting at when they mention “Bordeaux-like” and all the Pauillac vibes. What I can confirm is that these notes were consistent between two bottles from the same case, still in their tissue paper, so I’m reasonably confident that this is characteristic of the 1997 Opus One. I digress; I liked the wine. There, I said it. It was a bit of a one foot in Old School Napa, one foot in New School Napa, handled with an Old World touch. I liked it even better side-by-side with the ’90 Mouton, especially considering the relationship between the two. That being said, folks that can’t get down with a little brett will be turned off by this vintage of Opus. In my case, I would enjoy another opportunity to drink the 1997 some time. Great now with some air to stretch its legs and should be enjoyable through the next decade.

Jul 14th, 2023
Wilfred Wong

Chief Storyteller, Wine.com

9.5

One of the greatest wines I have ever enjoyed! Tasted twice, most recently last fall, the 1997 Opus One showed incredible complexity and range of flavors. Still evolving, this wine will continue to age for 6 to 10 additional years. (October 2012, Kings Mountain, CA) #opusone #napavalley #wine #redwine #bestwinecatagory #californiawines #cabernetblends

One of the greatest wines I have ever enjoyed! Tasted twice, most recently last fall, the 1997 Opus One showed incredible complexity and range of flavors. Still evolving, this wine will continue to age for 6 to 10 additional years. (October 2012, Kings Mountain, CA) #opusone #napavalley #wine #redwine #bestwinecatagory #californiawines #cabernetblends

1 person found it helpfulNov 16th, 2013
Doug Kahn

One of the purest expressions of the Napa valley. Great structure and elegance

One of the purest expressions of the Napa valley. Great structure and elegance

Jan 28th, 2017
Charles Stanley

Tobacco smoked leather, blackberry compote.

Tobacco smoked leather, blackberry compote.

Nov 13th, 2016
Gordon Walker

Quite Bretty but still a beautiful wine

Quite Bretty but still a beautiful wine

Sep 9th, 2016
Ty Richchouyrod

So fresh!

So fresh!

Nov 27th, 2015
Josh Phelps

Owner/Winemaker Taken Wines

9.3

1997

1997

Jul 21st, 2015
Alexandre Lalas

Tough

Apr 11th, 2014
Rocio Alicia Gonzalez

Needs time to open up but quite delightful once it does - nice, supple tannins and slightly rustic

Needs time to open up but quite delightful once it does - nice, supple tannins and slightly rustic

Mar 25th, 2013
Steven Lee

Boys night after lockdown. Blind wine 2. Started rather soy sauce and bovril. Then evolved abit vegetal and overal is quite smootth. Need decanting as the nose good better after and floral aspect emerge

Boys night after lockdown. Blind wine 2. Started rather soy sauce and bovril. Then evolved abit vegetal and overal is quite smootth. Need decanting as the nose good better after and floral aspect emerge

May 30th, 2020