Opus One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
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.
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
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
Tobacco smoked leather, blackberry compote.
Tobacco smoked leather, blackberry compote.
Nov 13th, 2016
Quite Bretty but still a beautiful wine
Quite Bretty but still a beautiful wine
Sep 9th, 2016
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
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