

In the 1990s, Opus One became the California cult wine to be widely sold in Asia and Europe. The first vintage from this block was released in 1985 and soon the estate built the large limestone winery in Oakville that has become an icon of the Napa Valley.

In 1980, Mondavi sold 35 acres from his To Kalon Vineyard in the Oakville AVA to the joint venture that would serve as the backbone for the blend. The joint venture between Mondavi and Baron Rothschild was announced in 1980, though plans for the winery had been developing between the two men since the early 1970s. The genesis of Opus One wine can be traced to 1970 at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Big Island of Hawaii where Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild met for the very first time and began their collaboration to merge old world and new world wine styles into one grand opus. Since 1993, they have produced a second wine, Overture. In 1989 a new winery was built just down the road, the first vintage from the new winery was from 1991 and was released in 1994. For a while it was the most expensive Californian wine, and to date still ranks among the most expensive red wines produced in the Napa Valley, with the 2014 vintage retailing for $325 per bottle. The first vintage, 1979 was released in 1984 at the same time as the 1980 vintage. The creation of this winery venture in 1980 was big news in the wine industry de Rothschild's involvement added an air of respectability to the burgeoning Napa wine region. It is located across State Route 29 from the Robert Mondavi Winery. The winery was founded as a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi to create a single Bordeaux style blend based upon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was called napamedoc until 1982 when it was named Opus One. Opus One Winery is a winery in Oakville, California, United States. Robert Mondavi co-founder Philippine de Rothschild, co-owner Michael Silacci, WinemakerĬabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot Needs at least three to five years to come together.Winery located in California Opus One Winery Full-bodied yet linear and very refined with a very persistent finish. "Fantastic aromas that are complex and complete with blackcurrants, blueberries and herbs, such as basil and bay leaf. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is a tightly coiled spring ready to explode, with fantastic tension and wonderfully ripe, very fine-grained tannins, finishing very long with a mineral lift." "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Opus One offers up bold, expressive black and blue fruits: warm black plums, black cherries, blackcurrants and wild blueberries with a beautiful undercurrent of lilacs, roses, fertile loam, underbrush and Indian spices. Harmonious and lively, the flavours linger to create an enduring finish with touches of dark chocolate and espresso.īlend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec. Juicy flavours of black cherry, blackberry and cassis flood the palate and creamy, fine-grained tannins deliver a delightfully round structure. The initial bouquet is augmented by more nuanced notes of sage, rosemary, and black olive. The 2016 Opus One is remarkably elegant and bright offering sumptuous aromas of fresh red and blue fruit, baking spices and vanilla, and a delicate fragrance of spring florals.
