Description
Opus One is a partnership founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, France, and renowned Napa Valley vintner, Robert Mondavi. Producing luxury wines from its Napa Valley vineyards, the partnership made its first vintage in 1979 and has made wine at Opus One since 1991. The facial profile of the two founders is visible on their iconic label.
Beginning in 1993 and following in the tradition of great Bordeaux estates, Opus One created a fine second wine called Overture. Every acre of the estate vineyard is meticulously farmed with the attention to detail and singular focus required to produce Opus One. This scrutiny carries through the blending process and certain lots will not be included in the final Opus One blend. Yet, when these lots are afforded additional time in barrel along with the added flexibility of blending across multiple vintages, the final wine achieves a remarkable elegance and complexity.
Tasting Notes
2014, 2015 and 2016 blend of fruit rejected for Opus One in the spring blending session. Fruit from their four vineyards. QR code on the back label gives more information. Bottled 14 August 2018. Quantity 10–15% of the volume of Opus One.
Deep crimson. Very pale narrow rim. Sweet, almost dark-chocolate nose. Not quite fresh enough for many a European palate, I would have thought, but certainly well made and certainly an opulent expression of Napa Cab. Little top note of balsam adds interest. A smoothness of texture and a skein of light minerality. Respectably long and ready to drink. Hardly any tannin in evidence. [ 16.5 Points, Jancis Robinson – August 2020, jancisrobinson.com]
