Opus One had picked 91% of their fruit before the fires started in 2017, and only two lots were eliminated from consideration. The 2017 Opus One, bottled in July 2019, is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Merlot and 1% Malbec. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly grows on the nose, revealing compelling notes of baked black cherries, mulberries, black raspberries, warm cassis and blackberry pie with nuances of spice cake, yeast extract, tapenade, licorice and dusty soil with a waft of wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lively skip in its step, featuring bags of juicy raspberry and cassis-laced fruit and a refreshing line, supported by ripe, plush tannins, finishing long and graceful.
This features currant and plum fruit, with tobacco, loam and singed savory notes, maintaining range and driving through the finish. The structure is fine-grained, delivering a lingering hint of acidity. A more subtle expression of Cabernet. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Best from 2022 through 2036.
PRODUCER
Opus One
ORIGIN
United States, Napa Valley
TASTING NOTES
The Opus One 2017 offers a harmonious aromatic balance of rich dark fruit, stems of roses, and earthy forest floor. The juicy entry offers a round, silky mouthfeel with just enough acidity to complement the satin texture. This seductive wine shows flavors of black cassis, black cherry and a hint of cocoa powder. The fine-grained, plush tannins evolve into a long, supple finish.
Opus One is a surreal wine in a bottle, a vinous standard to aspire to and above all the mutual grand vision of two of the wine world?s absolute legends. Baron Philippe de Rothschild who founded the iconic Bordeaux estate, Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Napa Valley pioneer Robert Mondavi came together. The pan Atlantic friends came together to found Opus One in 1978 in Napa Valley?s Oakville demarcation with the purpose of creating a "First Growth" wine with an American heart and a French soul. And this Cabernet Sauvignon lead Bordeaux blend, has over decades of vintages, exceeded expectations with balance, rich structure and stellar fruit character. Aged for 18 months in new French oak, the Opus One exudes tones of red fruit, orange peel, olives and hint of smoke, finishing long on the back of firm tannins.
Opus One is a surreal wine in a bottle, a vinous standard to aspire to and above all the mutual grand vision of two of the wine world?s absolute legends. Baron Philippe de Rothschild who founded the iconic Bordeaux estate, Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Napa Valley pioneer Robert Mondavi came together. The pan Atlantic friends came together to found Opus One in 1978 in Napa Valley?s Oakville demarcation with the purpose of creating a "First Growth" wine with an American heart and a French soul. And this Cabernet Sauvignon lead Bordeaux blend, has over decades of vintages, exceeded expectations with balance, rich structure and stellar fruit character. Aged for 18 months in new French oak, the Opus One exudes tones of red fruit, orange peel, olives and hint of smoke, finishing long on the back of firm tannins.
There are no reviews yet.