Wine Advisor
Opus One 1988
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Description
Opus One is the realized dream of two men: Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux and Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi. Together, our founders set out to create a single wine dedicated to the pursuit of uncompromising quality. This singular mission shapes every vintage, today and for generations to come.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
While the best Opus One to date is the 1987, the 1988 is certainly one of the finest red wines I have tasted from this uninspiring vintage. Impressively dark ruby-colored, it reveals an attractive nose of currants and smoky new oak. In the mouth, the wine is medium-bodied, with excellent concentration, a velvety texture, soft tannins, low acidity, and a smooth, attractive finish. Although it is hard to resist now, it should age gracefully for 7-8 years.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Medium to deep garnet-brick colour. Savoury / earthy notes of soy, hung meat, sweaty leather, tobacco, truffle, a suggestion of cardamom and a slight medicinal / menthol character. The palate gives a high level of acidity with a medium level of silky tannins and a good concentration of spicy, savoury fruit. Long finish. Drink now to 2013.
About the Producer
The world-renowned Opus One was created in the 1970's as a result of a merger between two visionaries, Baron Philippe de Rothschild (lengendary Bordeaux wine magnate and owner of Château Mouton-Rothschild in Pauillac) and Robert Mondavi (an icon in the history of American wine with a namesake wine empire in California). It was their aim to develop a New World equivalent to a Bordeaux First Growth in the Napa Valley region of California. The exceptional style of Opus One resulted from the combination of their talent, their vision and the unique terroir of the Oakville AVA (an Eden for Cabernet Sauvignon). Today, this highly sought-after wine is produced from four different parcels, two parcels making up the famous 40-hectare To-Kalon vineyard, along with the River and Ballestra Parcels surrounding the Opus One winery. While the exact proportions depend on vintage, the blend is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec, reminiscent of Bordeaux's Left Bank. The wines are vinified separately before being matured in French oak barrels for a period of 18 months. They stay in the cellar, ageing in bottle for another 15 months, before being released on the market in October of each new year.
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