Wine Advisor
Opus One 1998
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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.
A surprisingly feeble garnet/ruby color already displaying pink and amber hues is followed by a Medoc-like bouquet of cedar, plums, cherries, and spice box with hints of sweet oak as well as roasted peanuts. The wine is light to medium-bodied, with fine balance but a short finish. This fully mature 1998 requires consumption over the next 5-8 years. If the Bordelais can significantly drop prices, recognizing the inherent weaknesses in the international marketplace as well as the overall quality of the wines, why can't California wine producers do the same, especially when this vintage is considerably inferior to 1997 and 1996? Tel. (707) 944-9442; Fax (707) 944-2753
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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