Opus One Napa Valley California Wine Cabernet Sauvignon

Everything about Opus One Napa Valley California Cabernet Sauvignon wine producer profile, wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, history of the property, information on their wine making techniques, terroir and soil. You can also read about the Grapes used for California wine and learn about the extensive History of Napa Valley, California Wines

Opus One History, Overview

Opus One was founded in 1979 when two of the world’s most famous wine families began producing wine from their joint venture in Napa. Robert Mondavi and the Baron Philippe Rothschild of Mouton Rothschild became friends back in 1970. Less than a decade later, using parcels from Mondavi’s To Kaylon vineyards they created a wine that became an instant hit with wine lovers in American and in Europe. The first parcels of land for Opus One came from 35 acres of vines already owned by Robert Mondavi, located in the famous Q block of the To Kaylon vineyards. That purchase became solidified in 1981.

At first, the partners referred to their venture as Opus. A few days later, thanks to a suggestion from Baron Rothschild, they lengthened the name to Opus One. The partners chose Opus One as the name of their wine due to its Latin origin. More importantly to the two extremely, savvy wine marketers, Opus One was easy to pronounce in multiple languages.

The Founders of Opus One

The new partnership expanded their holdings with 100 acres of vineyard land located on the east side of Highway 29. In 2008, the partnership between Philippe Rothschild and now Constellation Brands continued expanding their holdings with 48 additional acres when they acquired a long term leasing contract to the old Mondavi K Block of vines, which is situated in the To Kalon vineyard. Those vines were previously known as being part of the Ballestra Vineyard.

1984 saw the initial release of the first two vintages from Opus One, 1979 and 1980. Sadly, both years were poor for California wine. Opus One was forced to wait until 1984, until a good vintage for California wine arrived. Later that same year, Opus One added 49 more acres to their venture. That same year they began designing their still modern looking architectural winery. They broke ground on the construction in 1989. By the middle of the 2010 decade, Opus One began experimenting with harvesting their grapes at night, to preserve more freshness and avoid oxidation.

Opus One Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking

To produce the wine of Opus One, with 50 fermentation vats, the estate vinifies each parcel in its own tank, which allows for much more precision in their wines. The fermentation vats are elevated, allowing the juice to move by gravity. The wine of Opus One is then aged in new French oak barrels for close to 20 months. With close to 170 acres under vine, the average annual production is quite large at more than 25,000 cases per vintage. Opus One is one of the top selling, high end branded California Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Opus One not only sells well to American consumers, Opus is one of the top exports from Napa Valley. Close to 50% of their wine is sold to other countries. Japan is one of the leading importers of the wine.

Serving and Decanting Opus One with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Opus One wines are best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Young vintages of their red wine can be decanted for 1-3 hours, depending on the character of the vintage. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Opus One is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, ribs, hamburgers, barbecue, roasted, braised, grilled dishes and stews. Opus One is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.

Opus One went through a bad patch for close to a decade. During that time, the property produced wines that were not equal to their terroir or ability. Starting with the 2007 vintage, Opus One started making improvements and thus, much better wine. My favorite vintage of Opus One, prior to 2007 remains the 1996. Things continued to improve with the wines of Opus One in subsequent vintages as grapes from the To Kalon vineyard were now part of the wine. As of today, 2013 is the best wine in the history of the estate. It is positively stunning!

The goal of Opus One is to make California wine in a less exuberant, fruit forward style. In many ways, the wine would have more in common with Bordeaux wine. In September, 2012, Opus One opened a sales and distribution office in Bordeaux. Due to the fact that Opus One is jointly owned with Chateau Mouton Rothschild, which operates a major Bordeaux Negociant company, it’s surprising this development did not take place years, if not decades earlier.

www.opusonewinery.com

Opus One Wine Tasting Notes

18 Vintages 188,077 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2015
96
Silky, lush, polished and rich, the concentrated, full-bodied wine delivers all of its chocolate covered dark cherries, blackberry, licorice, spice box and floral character with ease. With all the fruit, freshness, plush personality and balance, this is a gorgeous style of wine that will age quite nicely. The blend could easily come from the Left Bank of Bordeaux using 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec.

Silky, lush, polished and rich, the concentrated, full-bodied wine delivers all of its chocolate covered dark cherries, blackberry, licorice, spice box and floral character with ease. With all the fruit, freshness, plush personality and balance, this is a gorgeous style of wine that will age quite nicely. The blend could easily come from the Left Bank of Bordeaux using 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec.

7,673 Views   Tasted
2014
97
I love this style of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine combines concentration, purity of fruit, lush, silky tannins, freshness and length. You can drink it young, if you prefer, youthful, exuberant, fruit, or age it and enjoy the complexities of age. The wine was made from blending 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec, which is something you could easily find in the Left Bank of Bordeaux.

I love this style of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine combines concentration, purity of fruit, lush, silky tannins, freshness and length. You can drink it young, if you prefer, youthful, exuberant, fruit, or age it and enjoy the complexities of age. The wine was made from blending 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec, which is something you could easily find in the Left Bank of Bordeaux.

7,799 Views   Tasted
2013
97
Opulent, ripe, fresh, silky, balanced and concentrated with a melange of black and red fruits, the wine feels great, as it loads you up on its layers of black cherry, smoke, blackberry, licorice and vanilla. Everything is in balance with this beauty, which promises to age gracefully for at least another 20-25 years with ease.

Opulent, ripe, fresh, silky, balanced and concentrated with a melange of black and red fruits, the wine feels great, as it loads you up on its layers of black cherry, smoke, blackberry, licorice and vanilla. Everything is in balance with this beauty, which promises to age gracefully for at least another 20-25 years with ease.

7,451 Views   Tasted
This sexy, voluptuous, charmer is probably the best wine the estate has ever produced. Layers of perfectly ripe, sweet, fresh, black and blue fruits, opulent, silky textures and a fruit filled finish that does not want to quit. I really like this style of wine, as it pairs ripeness, with freshness and never even considers going over the top, yet there is no denying this is a California Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was made from a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec.

This sexy, voluptuous, charmer is probably the best wine the estate has ever produced. Layers of perfectly ripe, sweet, fresh, black and blue fruits, opulent, silky textures and a fruit filled finish that does not want to quit. I really like this style of wine, as it pairs ripeness, with freshness and never even considers going over the top, yet there is no denying this is a California Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was made from a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec.

9,028 Views   Tasted
2012
96
This Left Bank Bordeaux lookalike has really been on fire since 2007. This elegant, ripe, sweet, lush, charmer is no exception. Silky tannins, solid concentration of ripe, dark fruits, great mouthfeel and long, fruit filled, stylish finish is another winner from Opus One. The wine was made from a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 2% Malbec.

This Left Bank Bordeaux lookalike has really been on fire since 2007. This elegant, ripe, sweet, lush, charmer is no exception. Silky tannins, solid concentration of ripe, dark fruits, great mouthfeel and long, fruit filled, stylish finish is another winner from Opus One. The wine was made from a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 2% Malbec.

5,623 Views   Tasted
2011
91
Medium bodied, with earthy, herbal, black raspberry and currant character, the wine finishes with a smoky, dusty, red berry note.

Medium bodied, with earthy, herbal, black raspberry and currant character, the wine finishes with a smoky, dusty, red berry note.

5,089 Views   Tasted
2010
95
Luscious, silky textures, forward in style, and creamy, ripe, sweet, blackberries galore are impossible not to notice. With its concentration of flavor, balance and sensuous style, this is a truly, sublime style of California Cabernet Sauvignon.

Luscious, silky textures, forward in style, and creamy, ripe, sweet, blackberries galore are impossible not to notice. With its concentration of flavor, balance and sensuous style, this is a truly, sublime style of California Cabernet Sauvignon.

6,773 Views   Tasted
2009
95
Black and blue fruit, caramel, licorice and oak, the wine is fleshy, rich, round and supple, ending with a long, dense, crunchy, fresh finish.

Black and blue fruit, caramel, licorice and oak, the wine is fleshy, rich, round and supple, ending with a long, dense, crunchy, fresh finish.

10,391 Views   Tasted
Licorice, smoke, jammy black cherry, earth, tobacco, caramel, oak, forest floor scents open to a lush, sensuous, opulent textured Cabernet Sauvignon wine ending in a fresh, ripe, black raspberry, cassis and spicy, black cherry filled finish.

Licorice, smoke, jammy black cherry, earth, tobacco, caramel, oak, forest floor scents open to a lush, sensuous, opulent textured Cabernet Sauvignon wine ending in a fresh, ripe, black raspberry, cassis and spicy, black cherry filled finish.

10,209 Views   Tasted
Rich chocolate covered plums, tobacco, licorice, blackberry and a kiss of oak lead the way to a plush, round, soft textured wine that is already drinking well today.

Rich chocolate covered plums, tobacco, licorice, blackberry and a kiss of oak lead the way to a plush, round, soft textured wine that is already drinking well today.

10,523 Views   Tasted
2007
94
A perfect ringer for a Bordeaux blind tasting, the wine has freshness, refinement, soft tannins, and while the fruit is perfectly ripe, here, you find all the fresh, sweet, red and black fruits you could hope for, without any jammy, or overripe notes. Lots of cedar, tobacco and earthy, forest notes only add to the fun. Drink now, or hold...

A perfect ringer for a Bordeaux blind tasting, the wine has freshness, refinement, soft tannins, and while the fruit is perfectly ripe, here, you find all the fresh, sweet, red and black fruits you could hope for, without any jammy, or overripe notes. Lots of cedar, tobacco and earthy, forest notes only add to the fun. Drink now, or hold...

5,333 Views   Tasted
A super wine, produced in a great style, that takes the best of the lush, ripe, sweet, fat, juicy, California Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, yet also serves up freshness, balance and harmony. I am sure this will get better, but why wait? It's just great today...

A super wine, produced in a great style, that takes the best of the lush, ripe, sweet, fat, juicy, California Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, yet also serves up freshness, balance and harmony. I am sure this will get better, but why wait? It's just great today...

5,584 Views   Tasted
Caramel, molasses, blackberry jam, fennel and truffle led to layers of polished, soft, round, sweet, crunchy, black and red spicy berries complicated by a long, olive tapenade and strawberry savory finish.

Caramel, molasses, blackberry jam, fennel and truffle led to layers of polished, soft, round, sweet, crunchy, black and red spicy berries complicated by a long, olive tapenade and strawberry savory finish.

11,297 Views   Tasted
Clearly, this is in competition for the best wine produced by Opus One yet. I've always felt the 1996 was the best wine from this estate, but the 2007 Opus One, with its smoke, coffee, licorice, cassis, blackberry and earthy nose changed my mind. Add ripe, juicy, fleshy, rich, supple textures and a long, round, dark berry finish that is ripe, but not too ripe, and you have an idea of what this wine delivers.

Clearly, this is in competition for the best wine produced by Opus One yet. I've always felt the 1996 was the best wine from this estate, but the 2007 Opus One, with its smoke, coffee, licorice, cassis, blackberry and earthy nose changed my mind. Add ripe, juicy, fleshy, rich, supple textures and a long, round, dark berry finish that is ripe, but not too ripe, and you have an idea of what this wine delivers.

10,015 Views   Tasted
2006
93
Drinking at a really nice place today, the wine meshes elegance with sweet, ripe, juicy, ripe, fruits. This is a good ringer to place in blind tasting with Bordeaux.

Drinking at a really nice place today, the wine meshes elegance with sweet, ripe, juicy, ripe, fruits. This is a good ringer to place in blind tasting with Bordeaux.

7,002 Views   Tasted
Tobacco, fresh herbs, cassis and earthy scents opened to a plush, forward, spicy wine that ended with a fresh, crunchy, ripe, red and black fruit filled finish.

Tobacco, fresh herbs, cassis and earthy scents opened to a plush, forward, spicy wine that ended with a fresh, crunchy, ripe, red and black fruit filled finish.

7,321 Views   Tasted
2005
93
Oak, spice box, cassis, black cherry and wet forest leaves create the provocative perfume. The wine is fresh, lush, opulently textured, ending with a sweet, strawberry jam and cherry filled finish.

Oak, spice box, cassis, black cherry and wet forest leaves create the provocative perfume. The wine is fresh, lush, opulently textured, ending with a sweet, strawberry jam and cherry filled finish.

8,479 Views   Tasted
2004
91
With a light touch of oak, tobacco, cassis and forest floor aromas, this medium/full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon ends with fresh, clean, spicy black cherries.

With a light touch of oak, tobacco, cassis and forest floor aromas, this medium/full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon ends with fresh, clean, spicy black cherries.

6,279 Views   Tasted
2002
94
Ripe, juicy, long, full bodied, and fruity, with depth, concentration and real, fruit and licorice in the finish. This is really in a great spot today.

Ripe, juicy, long, full bodied, and fruity, with depth, concentration and real, fruit and licorice in the finish. This is really in a great spot today.

7,204 Views   Tasted
2002 Opus One is a perfect ringer to insert into a blind tasting of Bordeaux, or a flight of Bordeaux and California wine. It offers licorice, black cherry, smoke, coffee bean and earthy scents, with round, plush textures and a ripe, dark berry and cocoa finish.

2002 Opus One is a perfect ringer to insert into a blind tasting of Bordeaux, or a flight of Bordeaux and California wine. It offers licorice, black cherry, smoke, coffee bean and earthy scents, with round, plush textures and a ripe, dark berry and cocoa finish.

5,222 Views   Tasted
1997
91
Elegant, soft and refined, it lacks the fruit and concentration found in many of the vintages top wines. That being said, the tobacco, cedar, earth, fresh cherry and forest aromas would make many tasters think of Bordeaux. This refined styled Napa wine requires drinking as there is not enough raw materials or structure, for a much longer evolution.

Elegant, soft and refined, it lacks the fruit and concentration found in many of the vintages top wines. That being said, the tobacco, cedar, earth, fresh cherry and forest aromas would make many tasters think of Bordeaux. This refined styled Napa wine requires drinking as there is not enough raw materials or structure, for a much longer evolution.

3,986 Views   Tasted
1996
94
Fully mature with tobacco, black cherry, truffle, earth, blackberry, cocoa, forest floor and spice box aromas, the wine strides the perfect middle ground between the rich, ripe, luscious style of California Cabernet Sauvignon and the tighter, more structured traditionally styled wines.

Fully mature with tobacco, black cherry, truffle, earth, blackberry, cocoa, forest floor and spice box aromas, the wine strides the perfect middle ground between the rich, ripe, luscious style of California Cabernet Sauvignon and the tighter, more structured traditionally styled wines.

7,384 Views   Tasted
1994
90
Fully mature, medium bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with blackberry, tobacco, earth, coffee and black cherry on the nose. Soft textured, with no tannin remaining, the wine ends with a cherry, tobacco and cranberry tinged finish

Fully mature, medium bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with blackberry, tobacco, earth, coffee and black cherry on the nose. Soft textured, with no tannin remaining, the wine ends with a cherry, tobacco and cranberry tinged finish

6,793 Views   Tasted
1992
89
Bright ruby in color, with a nose of wet leaves, tobacco, cherry, earth and cigar smoke. This medium bodied wine ends with a tart, fresh, crisp, red cherry and tobacco finish. There is no reason to age this further.

Bright ruby in color, with a nose of wet leaves, tobacco, cherry, earth and cigar smoke. This medium bodied wine ends with a tart, fresh, crisp, red cherry and tobacco finish. There is no reason to age this further.

4,504 Views   Tasted
1991
92
Smoke, tobacco, cigar box, blackberry, earth and truffle scents opened to a fully mature, soft textured, concentrated, sweet cassis filled wine. While not at the level of the sublime 96 Opus, this remains one of the better mature vintages of Opus One in the marketplace.

Smoke, tobacco, cigar box, blackberry, earth and truffle scents opened to a fully mature, soft textured, concentrated, sweet cassis filled wine. While not at the level of the sublime 96 Opus, this remains one of the better mature vintages of Opus One in the marketplace.

7,397 Views   Tasted
1986
87
Light ruby in color, tobacco, wet forest floor, leaf, fresh herbs, truffle and cassis scents create the complex perfume. The wine is clearly better on the nose than in the mouth. The wine ends with an earthy, crisp, tart cassis and cranberry note. This wine is past its prime and requires drinking.

Light ruby in color, tobacco, wet forest floor, leaf, fresh herbs, truffle and cassis scents create the complex perfume. The wine is clearly better on the nose than in the mouth. The wine ends with an earthy, crisp, tart cassis and cranberry note. This wine is past its prime and requires drinking.

3,718 Views   Tasted