Opus One Winery – Opus One 2019

The absolute best from California

Opus One is arguably the best red wine from California. This wine originated from a collaboration between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Rothschild is a highly renowned winemaker from Bordeaux. Opus One is an iconic wine from Napa ValleyEvery year, they produce an absolute top wine here that is considered one of the great wines of the earth. The Opus One 2019 is once again a classic masterpiece with top scores from wine critics: Parker 99/ 99 wine spectator/100 Suckling

Composition and tasting note

The Opus One 2019 is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon 78%, Merlot 8%, Petit Verdot 6%, Cabernet Franc 6%, and Malbec 2%. It has matured for 19 months in new French oak. You will notice intense aromas of black plums, blueberries, blackcurrant, and dried rose petals, supported by minerality. The creamy, velvety texture is backed by fine-grained tannins. The freshness and soft glow of acidity create a subtle tension with dark fruit flavors, savory spices, espresso, and cocoa. A delicate bitterness of dark chocolate lingers in the finish. Wow! Truly unique.

This is a wine that you should first let mature in a good cellar and open later. This is, of course, a magnificent gastronomic wine that deserves the finest dishes. Beef Wellington, Grilled Tomahawk steak or a leg of lamb from the oven.

Vintage 2019

Intense spring rains, nearly twice as much as normal, ensured a fully saturated soil and provided sufficient water reserves for the growing season. The first bud formation in the vineyard was observed on March 27, which was about two weeks later than usual. This delay resulted in later flowering and coloring of the grapes. As the summer progressed, higher temperatures accelerated the development and ripening of the grapes. The harvest began on September 10, slightly earlier than average, and proceeded over a period of four weeks at a calm and steady pace in the cellar.

Opus One Winery, a match made in heaven with Mondavi and Rothschild

In the early 1990s, Baron Philippe de Rothschild, owner of Château Mouton Rothschild, was on vacation in California's Napa Valley. He was impressed by the potential for viticulture and asked winemakers who he should meet. Everyone immediately mentioned the name Robert Mondavi.

Robert Mondavi had to leave his Italian family after an argument with his brother. He left for California in 1966, borrowed $100,000 there, and started his wine business. Seven years later, he met Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The Baron was impressed by Mondavi's passion and wanted to start a unique wine project in Napa Valley. Mondavi saw this project as a great opportunity to put Napa Valley on the map. In 1976, Robert Mondavi visited Château Mouton Rothschild to discuss the business aspects of the new project.

The next morning at eight o'clock he was invited to the baron's bedroom. The 66-year-old owner of the Grand Cru had a habit of doing business in his bedroom. His desk was also there. Both men discussed the new project that would bring together the good of Bordeaux and Napa Valley. Mouton winemaker Lucien Sionneau and Robert Mondavi's son Tim came to the Mondavi winery to determine the style of the new wine. It took three days for both winemakers to reach an agreement. Bordeaux and Napa had found each other.

The first wine was named Opus and produced in 1979. It was a blend of Mondavi's best wines. At that time, Opus did not yet have its own vineyard or winery. A year later, the joint venture was announced to the world, and the name Opus One was born. At an auction in Napa Valley, a case of Opus One fetched $24,000—the highest price for a Californian wine at the time.

USA's first cult wine

Opus One became the first American ultra-premium wine. In 1991, the new winery for Opus One was built, and the vineyard was laid out around the winery. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec are planted in the 69-hectare vineyard.

In the 1990s, Opus One was the Californian cult wine that was widely sold in Asia and Europe. Following the acquisition of the Robert Mondavi winery from Constellation Brands in 2004, the Baron Rothschild estate negotiated control over marketing, vineyard management, and winery management with Constellation Brands.