A famed partnership between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Opus One crafted their first vintage 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.
Last year I had the chance to taste with famed Opus One winemaker Michael Silacci (https://www.instagram.com/tv/CDm9m4uAU8i/). He crafts some elegant, rich Napa Cabernet blends that will stand the test of time. While at the winery recently I checked in with the absolutely stunning 2008 Opus One, a wine that is slowly moving into secondary tones of leather and tilled soils. That wine will surely be at least a 20 year old wine. The new 2018 Opus One (OB, 98) was taken from a really great warm vintage in Napa and this edition captures the warmth of the vintage but shows the classic restraint and tension that Opus One is known for. Silacci has blended in a larger portion of Petit Verdot this vintage which gives the wine a lovely herbal undertone and light green bell pepper tones that evoke a Bordelaise edge. Seamless with its beautiful texture 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.
MV Overture Red Wine- The MV Overture red wine blends all five Bordeaux varietals and is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (86%) sourced from the 2014-16 vintages. The wine is already beautifully evolved and shows tar and sandalwood tones alongside cassis and ripe boysenberry flavors. With a seamless texture this beautiful wine has another fifteen years in front of it. Drink 2021-2036- 94
2018 Opus One Red Wine- The 2018 Opus One Red Wine is an utterly captivating wine that blends 84% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a dollop of Malbec. The nose is utterly captivating with green bell pepper alongside shades of fresh sage, cassis and mocha tones that all take shape in the glass. Seamless and pillowy mid-palate, the wine effortlessly glides across the drinking experience. Dense dark fruits collide with shades of creosote and dried herbs on the palate. The long finish lingers as this extraordinary wine has a really long life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2040- 98
