It was a bright and sunny autumn day as I depended on Oakville and Opus One, one of the most beautiful Napa wineries to taste wine. Opus One has done a huge remodel and the tasting room has sensational panoramic views of their vineyards and the Napa floor. Extremely elegant, I tasted in the salon and had an amazing chance to visit with their longtime winemaker Michael Silacci. I have been so impressed with the wines that he has made. These are wines that exude class with good concentration, a beautiful veil of finesse and serious aging potential. I had not done a vertical of these wines in several years, so it was a treat to visit wines and check on how they were cellaring. Michael was in the middle of harvest so our visit was brief.
It was such a joy to look back at the 2014 Opus One (OB, 98) which is a massive wine and is just slightly starting to show secondary notes. This is quite frankly a joy to consume right now. Every bit as good was the new release the 2019 Opus One (OB, 98) which is even better than consumed last year. This wine is nowhere near ready but shows massive structure, tannins, weight and verve. Learn more about these world-class wines at opusonewinery.com and here are my reviews of the vertical tasting of 2014, 18 and 19 vintages of Opus One.
2014 Opus One Red Wine- The 2014 Opus One Red Wine is aromatically incredible on the nose. Red rose petals alongside loamy soils, dark currents and cocoa powder dusted loganberry notes all combine on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with silky tannins that frame an ebullient core of cassis, anise and blackberry flavors, with espresso ground and salty soil accents. Showing great weight, texture and length, this is beautiful, refined stuff that is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2038- 98
2018 Opus One Red Wine- the 2018 Opus One is a totally captivating bottling even in its heady youth. Once on the nose this shows beautiful creme de violette alongside blackberry preserves and shades of black licorice. This comes off super seamless on the palate, with refined tannins. The palate is nuanced and smooth with graphite, and a fantastic core of black and blue fruits. Finishing long this is beautiful wine that has both the freshness and flavor density to cellar well for another twenty plus years. Drink 2023-2043- 98
2019 Opus One Red Wine- The 2019 Opus One Red Wine is drinking even better than first tasted. It is a rich and seamless wine that is going to be at least a 20 year old wine. Refined tannins greet you on the palate, displaying great tension and stony undertones. Creme de cassis, Asian spices and sandalwood notes combine with pencil lead on the palate. Drink 2025-2045- 98