Place, often defined as terroir, represents the geography, the climate and the essential human element which is captured in the wine’s balance between power and finesse, structure and texture. The essence of time is expressed in Opus One wine by the character of each vintage. The facial profile of the two founders is visible on their iconic label. Producing luxury wines from its Napa Valley vineyards, the partnership made its first vintage in 1979 and has made wine at Opus One since 1991. Opus One is a partnership founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, France, and renowned Napa Valley vintner, Robert Mondavi. Neat, minerally and fine-boned.Learn about Opus One, it’s history, the winery and the wine. Quite bordelais but so much more accessible. Tangy freshness on the finish – one can only guess at the number of sessions in the tasting room that went into this blend! (Interesting to see more Petit Verdot than Merlot or Cabernet Franc.) Some delicacy, which I'm sure was the aim. As though from a ripe Bordeaux vintage but then the tannins are so much riper than on most red bordeaux. 18-day maceration with 80% ambient yeast, followed by 17 months in 100% new French oak.ĭeep, lustrous crimson – with a pale rim! Nose of warmth and ripeness but not heaviness. 'Idyllic growing conditions.' 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec. It offers pleasure today but should benefit from 4-5 years in the cellar, and my money is on it evolving for 30 years or more. - Jeb Dunnuck It plays in the finesse-driven end of the spectrum yet is concentrated and seamless, with serious length. The 2018 Opus One is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This deep purple-hued effort leans to lively, fresher side of the vintage but has a brilliant, utterly classic style in its crème de cassis and blue-tinged fruit as well as notes of lead pencil, candied violets, damp earth, and chocolate-like nuances. With a Pomerol-like elegance and purity, it's medium to full-bodied and has wonderful tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. Tasted twice - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux 18 days skin contact in the cellar, another sign that this is a gentle vintage where everything came naturally so no need to macerate too long (over the years maceration has varied between 9 days and 43 days). They have eliminated green harvest as of 2020, and instead anticipate how to balance the crop earlier in the season during shoot thinning. Rosebud, black cherry, cassis purée, espresso, juicy and elegant finish, extremely moreish. Similar vintage style to the 2005, a wine that I loved during a vertical of Opus I did in 2019, and the result of a mild and moderate growing season. Silky at first, but as the wine expands you feel a grainier, slate texture that holds your interest. Drinking Window 2024 - 2040 - Georgina Hindle, DecanterĪs is so often the case with Opus, the wine expands slowly but surely, seducing you with the quality of tannins and the depth of the fruits that are wrapped around them. 80% wild yeast fermentation for the first time as of the 2018 vintage. Layered and nuanced, the texture is striking, elegant and precise with juice that his the side of the mouth supported by oak spice that gently frames the overall feeling giving balance. Abundant in a sense but also reigned in making you want another glass straight away. Dark chocolate, coffee, blueberries and pomegranate combine to give a seductive nose and follow through on the palate with an immediate burst of juicy acidity and plush tannins. Power and concentration from the start but with a lovely vein of cool blue fruits and an invigoratingly fresh core. Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Opus One soars out of the glass with bright, bold boysenberries, warm cassis and ripe, juicy black plums notes, plus emerging nuances of lilacs, oolong tea, cinnamon stick, tilled soil and black truffles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly wound layers of crunchy black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with lifted fruitiness and on a lingering mineral note. So wonderful to taste now, but better after 2026. The quality of tannin is exquisite with wonderful polish and refinement. Fresh herbs, such as bay leaf and lemon grass highlight the dark fruit. It’s full-bodied, yet ever so balanced and refined, with super fine tannins that last for minutes. #55 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of 2021Įxtremely perfumed and floral with lavender, lilacs and violets to the sweet, ripe berries, such as blackberries and blackcurrants.
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