![]() There is usually far less substance to this wine, and the complete lack of sincerity and friendliness of its staff makes the whole experience not worth bothering. ![]() Basically, the reputation of Opus One lies solely on the marketing machine. It costs far more than what the wine quality actually usually merits, despite its "reputation". Daniel Cuvee Pahlmeyer (one of our favorite blends in the world) Blankiet Estate Robert Craig: Affinity Gemstone Sloan Pride: Reserve Claret Cardinale (another of the Kendall Jackson special wineries) Beaulieu Vineyards: Tapestry Vineyard 29 Regusci: Proprietary Red These don't even include the wines that are far more legendary in Napa that regularly take top honors and are far better regarded (but usually cost more): Abreu Araujo Bond Bryant Colgin Dalla Valle (Maya) Harlan Hundred Acre My point is this: I NEVER recommend friends to visit Opus One. In fact, I wouldn't say it is one of the most heralded wines in Napa Valley! For cabernet and cabernet blends, any of the following wineries consistently outperform Opus One and at similar or more reasonable prices: Verite: La Joie (owned by Kendall Jackson family, in Sonoma) Kapcsandy Family Dominus Peter Michael: Les Pavots (straddling Napa and Sonoma) Joseph Phelps: Insignia (one of the best wines annually in Napa) Lail Vineyards: J. It is NOT one of the most heralded wines in the world. (This, for me, stands in direct contract to the otherwise Vegas-like winery at Darioush, where we always send friends to visit while in Napa.) Opus One is the product of incredible marketing. As has been stated so many times herein, the staff obviously still tend to be incredibly pretentious and the surroundings, though impressive, leave one feeling cold. Many years ago, we visited Opus One during our first visit to Napa. My partner and I are serious wine fanatics-we belong to some of the most acclaimed and sought-after wine allocation lists in Napa and Sonoma (including Harlan Estate, Byrant Estate, Colgin, Abreu, Araujo, Kistler, Peter Michael, to name just a few). The label shows the silhouettes of Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi.In researching Napa for friends, I happened to notice some wineries reviewed herein which I thought needed an another perspective. Although the cabernet sauvignon is the most commonly used grape, you will also encounter the other typical Bordeaux grapes in their blend: merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot and malbec.īefore the wine hits the market - usually on October 1 - it is aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels and then another 15 months in the bottle. The wine was already one of the most expensive in California at the time, but became even more popular in the 1990s thanks to high demand from both Europe and Asia and has now reached cult status. In 1989 Opus One built a new, state-of-the-art winery in Oakville. Until 1982, the wine was called “Napamédoc”, reflecting the philosophy of the project. The idea was to make a red wine mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Napa, but in the style of a Bordeaux. Opus One is a joint venture established in 1980 between Baron Philippe de Rothschild from Mouton-Rothschild (1er Grand Cru Classé from Bordeaux) and Robert Mondavi. The finish is never ending with chocolate hints. Flavours are a recall which join with extra flavours of black olives, chocolate and herbs. ![]() Great round mouthfeel with a great structure, medium acidity and ripe fine grained tannins. On the palate dry, medium(++) bodied with great balance, complexity and elegance. On the medium(+) nose inviting aromas of black cherries, black currants and cassis with hints of smoke, balsamico, spices, cedar, flowers and minty tones. This Cabernet Sauvignon dominiated Cuvée has a deep dark purple color. Still young but very nice already with a great potential for the comping 30 years.Ī blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 77%, Petit Verdot 8%, Merlot 8%, Cabernet Franc 5%, and Malbec 2%.ġ7 days skin contact and 18 months in new French oak. I really loved this wine and it was also my winner of the blind tasting. Two weeks ago we tasted this icon wine from the Napa wineregion.
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