One of the storied California wineries, Opus One is a monumental partnership between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild founded in 1979. At the time Opus One was the first ultra-premium California wine to be sold in France and Internationally. Opus One produces only one wine and a second wine (Overture) – both of which are typically a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Opus One sources from four estate vineyards. This includes two sites comprising roughly 100 acres within the famed ‘To Kalon Vineyard’ and their ‘Ballestra’ and ‘River’ parcels comprising 70 acres which envelop the winery. Head winemaker Michael Silacci is one of California’s great winemakers. I was fortunate enough to sit down with him earlier this summer and talk about his illustrious career, as well as taste two vintages of Opus One.
Blends in his Opus One can vary year to year but his new vintage combines Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Petit Verdot (9%), Cabernet Franc (5%), Merlot (5%) and Malbec (1%). His new 2017 Opus One Red Wine (WWB, 96) is simply magical with its beautiful texture that improves after a few hours of air. Highly poised and marvelous at this stage, this beautiful wine has decades to go. Learn more about Opus One at http://www.opusonewinery.com/ Here are my notes of the gorgeous new release by Opus One.
2017 Opus One Red Wine- The 2017 Opus One is a seamless, impeccable effort from this somewhat challenging vintage in the Napa Valley. A gorgeous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Petit Verdot (9%), Cabernet Franc (5%), Merlot (5%) and Malbec (1%), the wine shows rich creme de cassis and mocha tones, woven together with violets and sweet pipe tobacco tones on this compelling bouquet. Once on the attack fine grained tannins frame this densely packed wine that seamlessly glides across the mid-palate. Gorgeous layers of creme de cassis and Turkish coffee combine with minerals, menthol and lighter garrigue undertones. Simply magical after a one hour decant, the highly elegant and gratifying 2017 Opus One will have decades of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2040- 96