![]() Fantastic length and structure to the wine, with tightness and focus. Tasted as a barrel sample, this is a truly magnificent Opus One in the making!"ĩ9 Points James Suckling: "The purity of fruit is really something else here, with currants and fresh flowers, such as violets and roses. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black, blue and red fruits, framed by velvety tannins and background freshness, finishing on a compelling earthy/mineral note. This year, with the 2019s, he was still tweaking the blend, but he did mention that this is "pretty close to the final blend." Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Opus One leaps from the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, Morello cherries, mulberries and fresh blackcurrants plus hints of licorice, wilted roses, Sichuan pepper and iron ore. OWC 6-bottle set.ĩ9 Points Robert Parker: "Winemaker Michael Silacci commented that usually the blends are finished in January or February after the vintage. 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.The new Opus One 2019 vintage now available. 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 bay generates morning fog, and the hills channel it inland, up into the valley. The combined influences of San Pablo Bay and the hills of the North Coast Ranges are responsible for the valley's very particular mesoclimate. Merlot is also prominent, although since its fall from favor in the 1990s it is now used mostly as a blending component.Ĭlimate, geology and topography are three essential components in what makes Napa Valley such a first-rate viticultural area. The notable exception to this rule is Carneros, whose cool, breezy mesoclimate is better suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 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 range of grape varieties grown in the Napa Valley has evolved steadily over the 150 years since Yount planted his first vines. 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. Although a number of grape varieties are grown in the valley's vineyards, the area is particularly known for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa Valley is one of the most famous and prestigious wine region of the world. The scenic 40-minute drive between the Napa and Calistoga townships passes through some of the most valuable viticultural real estate on Earth. 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 stock will be available by middle October of 2022 A delicate dark chocolate bitterness lingers on the finish. ![]() ![]() The freshness and soft glow of acidity create a subtle tension with dark fruit flavors, savory herbs, espresso, and cocoa. The creamy, satiny texture is framed by fine-grained tannins. ![]() The Opus One 2019 has intense aromas of black plum, blueberry, black currant, and dried rose petals, accentuated by mineral undertones. 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. 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'. 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. Opus One is the iconic collaboration between the legendary Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, owner of Bordeaux's Château Mouton Rothschild. Arguably the biggest Californian release of the year is upon us. ![]()
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