Opus One 2005

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

This famous wine, first created by the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild and the late Robert Mondavi, started off life as a very good, but rarely exceptional wine. Over the last ten or more years, the administration at Mouton Rothschild, particularly the team led by Philippe Dhalluin, has truly pushed the level of quality to the point where this is clearly one of the great wines of Napa. And after so many years, it represents the pinnacle of French viticultural knowledge combined with that of California and Napa’s Shangri La-like microclimate. The 2005 Opus One, a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, has a ruby/purple color and a beautiful, sweet nose of créme de cassis and spring flowers. Complex and medium to full-bodied, with silky tannin and superb purity and balance, this is exactly what Opus One was meant to be when it was first proposed. Of course, it is a popular wine to criticize, but the quality has never been better, and certainly 2005 is a beauty. It is reaching full maturity at ten years, but I think there is still another 10-15+ years of upside potential in this wine. It is full-bodied, opulent and, dare I say, delicious. Given its popularity and brand recognition, it’s nice to know that even at a major steak house you can probably find this wine and be thrilled to buy it and drink it.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

The opaque purple-hued 2005 exhibits an extraordinary nose of violets, creme de cassis, charcoal, and spring flowers. Gorgeously pure, opulently full-bodied, with sweet tannins, superb concentration, and a low acid, ripe, tannic finish, it tastes like a top-notch vintage of ripe Bordeaux, but made in California. It can be drunk now and over the next 20-25 years. Bravo! With a new winemaking team in place, and no longer any influence from the Mondavis, it is ironic that Opus One appears to have produced its greatest trilogy of vintages to date. This wine has always been more about sizzle than substance. While some top wines have emerged, others have been riddled with brett as well as lacking in concentration. That accusation can not be made against any of these three vintages. Tel. (707) 948-2425; Fax (707) 948-2497

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Tasted twice Deep garnet-purple colour. The nose begins a little mute with a suggestion of freshly crushed blackberries and blackcurrants, forest floor, cinnamon and a touch of loam. The palate is wonderfully concentrated with layers of macerated blackberry, cloves, vanilla and dark chocolate. A medium+ level of acidity and medium to firm fine and ripe tannins give excellent structure to the richness of flavours. Very long finish. Drink now to 2030. Tasted April 2009.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

A dark, implosive wine, the 2005 Opus One comes across as brooding and very much closed in on itself. Tar, graphite, menthol, licorice and plums inform the powerful, structured finish. This is the most massive, tannic Opus One in recent memory. The blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Deep, saturated ruby-red. Explosive nose combines currant, plum, dried cranberry and minerals, plus some suggestions of very ripe fruit. Plush, dry and classic; more minerally than fruity in the mouth, with complicating notes of herbs, tobacco leaf and dark chocolate. Not a particularly fleshy style; in fact, this very youthful wine is still a bit unyielding. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and terrific subtle energy, a hint of orange peel adding lift.

vinous92

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Bright ruby. Rather wild, claret-like aromas of currant, black raspberry, leather, dark chocolate, spices and tobacco. Then velvety in texture but also juicy and firmly structured, with mouthcoating flavors of dark berries, bitter cherry, minerals, cola and bitter chocolate. This elegantly styled wine really coats the mouth without coming off as overly sweet. Finishes with noteworthy spine and length. With extended aeration, this grew sweeter and creamier, with the black raspberry fruit taking over.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(a five-variety Bordeaux blend based on 88% cabernet sauvignon) Full deep ruby. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, licorice, cedar and sexy oak. Sweet but not particularly fleshy, in the style of the year. Notes of minerals and mint, in conjunction with firm acidity, give this energy and grip. Finishes with firm but suave tannins that reach the front teeth. The crop level here was 4 tons per acre in 2005, compared to 3.2 for the 2004. This wine enjoyed a bit more lees contact than most previous vintages, and had been racked only once, in May of 2006. Offers excellent potential.