THE Opus One: An iconic and exclusive wine

Opus One is perhaps the best red wine from California. This wine originated from a collaboration between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Rothschild is a very renowned winemaker from Bordeaux. Opus One is an iconic wine from Napa Valley.Every year they make an absolute top wine here that is considered one of the great wines of the world. The Opus One 2017 is another classic masterpiece with top scores from wine critics: 95 Parker, 96 Decanter, 95 James Suckling en 93 Wine Spectator.

Winemaker Michael Silacci had brought in more than 90% of their 2017 harvest before the bushfires started in October. Fortunately, no trace of smoke was detected. The Opus One 2017 is composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, supplemented with Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Malbec. Deep garnet purple in color, the Opus One 2017 opens immediately with a beautiful aria of crushed blackcurrants, wild blueberries, and fresh cherries with a hint of pencil shavings, tar, and anise, plus touches of bay leaves and cracked black pepper. Medium-bodied and firmly structured, the taste has tremendous energy with a beautiful interplay of red and black fruit, framed by firm tannins, finishing with a compelling spice lift. A unique wine.

This is a wine that first needs to mature in a good cellar and can be opened around 2024. Fortunately, we have already done this for you. It can continue to age for a long time as a showpiece in your own cellar or climate-controlled cabinet, but you can also serve it now. This is, of course, a magnificent gastronomic wine that deserves the finest dishes. Beef Wellington, a grilled Tomahawk steak, or a roast leg of lamb.

Opus One Winery, A match made in heaven.

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 following morning at eight o'clock, he was invited to come to the Baron's bedroom. The 66-year-old owner of the Grand Cru had the habit of conducting business in his bedroom. His desk was also located there. Both men discussed the new project in which the best of Bordeaux and Napa Valley would come together. Mouton's winemaker, Lucien Sionneau, and Robert Mondavi's son, Tim, came to Mondavi's winery to determine the style of the new wine. It ultimately took three days before both winemakers reached an agreement. Bordeaux and Napa had found each other.

The first wine was named Opus and was 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.