Opus One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
Whole room fell silent for this one
Whole room fell silent for this one
Aug 1st, 2024
The 2012 Opus One is a terrific choice for drinking now. Silky and beautifully perfumed, the 2012 is wonderfully open-knit in this tasting. The purity of the fruit is alluring, There's still a good bit of freshness, too. Naturally, the 2012 reflects the medium-bodied style that is typical of the year, but all the elements are very nicely balanced. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, rose petal, spice and blood orange linger. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
The 2012 Opus One is a terrific choice for drinking now. Silky and beautifully perfumed, the 2012 is wonderfully open-knit in this tasting. The purity of the fruit is alluring, There's still a good bit of freshness, too. Naturally, the 2012 reflects the medium-bodied style that is typical of the year, but all the elements are very nicely balanced. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, rose petal, spice and blood orange linger. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
In Magnum. Excellent balance of fruit and acid. Many years to go.
In Magnum. Excellent balance of fruit and acid. Many years to go.
Apr 23rd, 2024The 2019 Opus One shows off the more opulent side of the vintage to great effect. Sumptuous dark fruit, spice and floral accents wrap around the palate, with a fair amount of new oak adding volume and exotic flair. This is an especially showy Opus One that will drink well with minimal cellaring. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2023)
The 2019 Opus One shows off the more opulent side of the vintage to great effect. Sumptuous dark fruit, spice and floral accents wrap around the palate, with a fair amount of new oak adding volume and exotic flair. This is an especially showy Opus One that will drink well with minimal cellaring. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2023)
Dusty soil, coffee, bay leaf, red and blue fruit, meat/blood, green underbrush.
Dusty soil, coffee, bay leaf, red and blue fruit, meat/blood, green underbrush.
Oct 24th, 2023
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.
The 2019 Opus One is a remarkably elegant wine. Silky tannins and bright, floral aromatics add to an impression of total finesse. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, mint, lavender and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's a touch of new oak today, but new wood has never been a signature of Opus One, so I imagine that is a stage in the wine's development. Interestingly, the 2019 is the first vintage fermented mostly with ambient yeasts. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2023)
The 2019 Opus One is a remarkably elegant wine. Silky tannins and bright, floral aromatics add to an impression of total finesse. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, mint, lavender and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's a touch of new oak today, but new wood has never been a signature of Opus One, so I imagine that is a stage in the wine's development. Interestingly, the 2019 is the first vintage fermented mostly with ambient yeasts. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2023)
Feb 17th, 2023
Primary and supple, still prominent oak but meshed nicely with black earth and black cherry notes. I’d give this 2-3 more years at least but the components are there for something profound.
Primary and supple, still prominent oak but meshed nicely with black earth and black cherry notes. I’d give this 2-3 more years at least but the components are there for something profound.
Dec 18th, 2022
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Deep purple in color with a short purple rim.
Pretty nose of blueberries, cooked black cherries, blackberries, figs, cedar, vanilla, spices, chocolates, earth, herbs, coffee, tobacco, licorice and black pepper.
Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, currants, black cherries, raisins, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, cola, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, earth, bitter herbs and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Feels like a Napa Cabernet with a Bordeaux touch. Fruity and rich, yet elegant.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours in the decanter, but it definitely needs longer than that.
What a great mouthfeel. I just love these Napa Bordeaux blends.
Still young and would be better in 5 to 10 years. Could be a 97+ point wine in 10 years. Will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years.
Thank you John for sharing this with me.
A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$500.
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Deep purple in color with a short purple rim.
Pretty nose of blueberries, cooked black cherries, blackberries, figs, cedar, vanilla, spices, chocolates, earth, herbs, coffee, tobacco, licorice and black pepper.
Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, currants, black cherries, raisins, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, cola, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, earth, bitter herbs and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Feels like a Napa Cabernet with a Bordeaux touch. Fruity and rich, yet elegant.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours in the decanter, but it definitely needs longer than that.
What a great mouthfeel. I just love these Napa Bordeaux blends.
Still young and would be better in 5 to 10 years. Could be a 97+ point wine in 10 years. Will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years.
Thank you John for sharing this with me.
A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$500.