And so Opus One is truly a Cabernet Sauvignon, even if not labeled as such. In reality, each vintage produced since its first, in 1979, has been at least 80 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and up to 97 percent in two vintages. Today, Opus One exports over 20 percent of its wines, mainly to Europe, and you can find it on the wine lists of some of the world's best restaurants.Īctually, Opus One is not labeled as a Cabernet Sauvignon, because the producers want the option to use different blends of the five Bordeaux red varieties planted in its vineyards - Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot in addition to Cabernet Sauvignon. But these wines were sort of California's little secret the rest of the world didn't know about California wines back then. It is certainly true that California did produce a few excellent Cabernet Sauvignons even before World War II - Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour Private Reserve, Inglenook, and Simi come to mind. The California wine industry really didn't get moving until 40 years ago, and so it is somewhat amazing that the state can boast of a wine that is regarded by many as world class, but Opus One has attained that status. That's no surprise, because European wine regions have been established for hundreds of years. Most of the world's well-renowned wines come from Europe - many of them being either Bordeaux or Burgundy. 18+ /20 points.Wine Review Online - Opus One: American Royalty You could drink it already, but on past performance one has to believe it has ageing potential. Tannins very well managed with a tiny chewiness on the very end. I'd love to see this blind in a line-up with other Napa Cabs. A little less bordelais than the 2018: richer but not concentrated or overripe in the stereotypical Napa Cab idiom. Sweet palate entry but a real lift and kick on the finish. Much more pronouned cassis flavours than the Overture even though the proportion of Cabernet is much lower. Really high toned this could double as a nasal decongestant, I think. Hints of tobacco leaf as well as very ripe fruit. Heady, complex nose with very many more layers than the Overture launched at the same time, September 2022 on the Bordeaux Place. "Transparent crimson - much paler than the average Napa Cab blend. Bright floral accents linger on the sublime finish." Tasted next to the 2018, the 2019 possesses a bit more textural nuance and body, yet it has all the classicism that is such an Opus One signature. "The 2019 Opus One is a dense, beautifully layered wine, but it is also quite restrained. The blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot." It's another beautiful wine from this team. I don't think it has the same precision as the 2018, but it brings another level of hedonism. Beautiful black raspberry, cassis, toasted spice, lead pencil, and subtle oak all make an appearance, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a rounded, layered mouthfeel, impressive tannins, and a great finish. "Similarly ruby/purple-hued, the 2019 Opus One is cut from the same cloth as the 2018 yet has a touch more baby fat and opulence, at least as this stage. 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec complete the blend. Grapes were harvested 10 days earlier than average, on 10th September with harvest lasting four weeks. A classic Opus with breadth, finesse and energy. No one element is too dominant, this feels harmonious and balanced with an excellent tangy acidity and long minty, herbal finish with edges of tobacco and dark chocolate. There is real drive and persistency to this, fresh, youthful and alive with a vibrant juiciness that is so appealing. Rich yet expansive on the palate, very open with dark chocolate, cherries, fragrant blackcurrant - sweet and scented, with satin-like tannins that effortlessly support the flavours. "Intensely perfumed on the nose, rose petals, violets, deeply scented and seductive. Tasted as a barrel sample, this is a truly magnificent Opus One in the making!" Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black, blue and red fruits, framed by velvety tannins and background freshness, finishing on a compelling earthy/mineral note. This year, with the 2019s, he was still tweaking the blend, but he did mention that this is "pretty close to the final blend." Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Opus One leaps from the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, Morello cherries, mulberries and fresh blackcurrants plus hints of licorice, wilted roses, Sichuan pepper and iron ore. "Winemaker Michael Silacci commented that usually the blends are finished in January or February after the vintage. Try after 2028."ĩ7-99 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate A blend of 78% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 7% petit verdot, 6% cabernet franc and 1% malbec. Fantastic length and structure to the wine, with tightness and focus. "The purity of fruit is really something else here, with currants and fresh flowers, such as violets and roses.
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