Opus One 2013

Opus One Winery

Opus One is the iconic collaboration between the legendary Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, owner of Bordeaux's Château Mouton Rothschild. The idea was first floated in a conversation between the two men way back in 1970, but only in 1978 did it become a reality. Marrying the potential of the magnificent terroir of Napa Valley with the excellence of Bordeaux winemaking techniques, and as a result Opus One has been often described as the 'American First Growth'.

Originating in the Oakville AVA, Opus One is a blend of separate four parcels, including the revered To Kalon vineyard (North and South) that sits on a complex alluvial fan soil near the Mayacamas Mountains. Intense aromas of black plum, blueberry, black currant, and dried rose petals, with notes of cocoa, expresso, savoury herbs and minerals. Creamy on the palate with a velvety texture well balanced with the freshness and a dark chocolate bitterness lingering on the finish.

Delivery
Items are expected to be delivered within 2 working days
Producer
Opus One Winery
Region
Napa Valley, United States
Variety
Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Reviews

James Suckling 100 Points

Bottle Format: 75cl
Variant
Status
Price
Quantity
Single bottle
DP
?
£520
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Napa Valley

Napa Valley

Situated immediately north of San Pablo Bay, Napa Valley runs extends for approximately 35 miles (60km) between the Vacas and Mayacamas mountain ranges (to the east and west respectively). The scenic 40-minute drive between the Napa and Calistoga townships passes through some of the most valuable viticultural real estate on Earth.

Napa Valley is one of the most famous and prestigious wine region of the world. Although a number of grape varieties are grown in the valley's vineyards, the area is particularly known for its Cabernet Sauvignon. The classic "Napa Cab", the archetypal Napa Valley wine, is a rich, oak-aged red with aromas of blackcurrant, boysenberry, licorice, vanilla and smoky, bittersweet chocolate.

The range of grape varieties grown in the Napa Valley has evolved steadily over the 150 years since Yount planted his first vines. Cabernet Sauvignon has risen confidently to become Napa's star performer, and is the most widely planted grape in almost all of the valley's sub-regions. The notable exception to this rule is Carneros, whose cool, breezy mesoclimate is better suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Merlot is also prominent, although since its fall from favor in the 1990s it is now used mostly as a blending component.

Climate, geology and topography are three essential components in what makes Napa Valley such a first-rate viticultural area. The combined influences of San Pablo Bay and the hills of the North Coast Ranges are responsible for the valley's very particular mesoclimate. The bay generates morning fog, and the hills channel it inland, up into the valley. Without this fog that comes rolling in from the bays, the valley's climate would be substantially warmer than it is, making it difficult to achieve structure and balance in the wines. The fog doesn't reach the higher parts of the valley, however, leaving these to rely on the cooling effects of altitude to keep their vines in balance.