Varietal: Cabernet Blend Appellation: Napa Valley Region: California Country: United States

Established by two of the wine world’s most respected figures, Opus One, based in Oakville, California is one of the world’s elite wineries. The idea of a joint venture was born in 1970 when Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild met in Hawaii, but the concept did not materialize until 1978 when Mondavi paid a visit to Château Mouton Rothschild.

Wine Advocate 94pts - This blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec aged 17 months in French oak is a strong effort offering creme de cassis, cedarwood, white chocolate and spice box. It possesses a Bordeaux-like personality, as one might expect since Opus One is owned by Baroness Philippe de Rothschild and the winemaking team comes primarily from Pauillac. The significant tannin in the wine provides a slight austerity, but this is a full-bodied, rich effort that marks the beginning of a period when Opus One finally began to live up to the enormous potential first announced in the late 1970's by the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild and the late Robert Mondavi. Although accessible now, the 2003 will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring and should keep for two decades.