No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5 will be added to the buyers premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis Related Articles. What about the third decade? “We are expressing the site of California with French ideas,” confirms Michael. Mondavi/Rothschild In original wooden case 6 bottles per lot. So is Opus One a California wine or French? The first decade it had a Bordelais flavor and the second was a balance between Napa and Bordeaux, explains Roger. Roger tells me that 40% of the sales are exports to China, Japan and UK and are handled through negociants in Bordeaux.
The annual production ranges between 20,000-25,000. The dramatic limestone winery sits on Napa Valley’s Highway 29 surrounded by 169 acres, 139 of which are planted to the five Bordeaux varietals. Drink this medium-bodied offering now and over the next 7-8 years. It builds nicely on the attack and mid-palate, but finishes short, displaying hints of herbs, chocolate, and black currants. The barrels are sourced from 14 different coopers in France. While it is a big, rich effort, the 1999 Opus One exhibits a distinct earthiness as well as a sweaty saddle-like characteristic. Dominus is structured, with good fruit and wood balance, herb notes and long intriguing finish.
Opus One is fruit driven classic California Cab blend, elegant, balanced, lots of dark red and blue fruit with ripe sweet tannins and long finish. The wine goes through three sample blends before its final blend in the new French oak barrels where it rests from seventeen to twenty four months before it is bottled. Not sure that either of these will get any better. “We pick grapes, so it’s about mouthfeel, we’re looking for balance, not the big jammy taste.” 1999 OPUS 07.003: OSH 1 Christmas 2000 OPUS 07.004: OSH 2 Have Yourself A Kitschy Little Christmas OPUS 07.005: OSR 1 Solo Inspiration - Piano 1999 OPUS 07.006: OSG 1 Amazing Grace 2003 OPUS 07.007: OSM 2 Music Bistro II 2007 OPUS 07.008: N/A Hollywood And Broadway 2010 OPUS 07.009: N/A Christmas Greetings OPUS 08.xxx - Fun. “The focus is the vineyard,” said Michael. The 2007 exudes floral notes, and both express lush fruit, evolving into a perfectly balanced wine.Įighty percent of the wine’s quality comes from the vineyard. We tasted the 2006 that opens up with an earthy aroma. Roger and Michael were in town to introduce the 2007 vintage that will be available to the trade in October. This is a wine that you can cellar for 10-20 years or more. Roger was armed with two bottles of Opus One and accompanied by winemaker Michael Silacci.Ī Franco-California collaboration that was established between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Opus One makes only one wine: the proprietary Bordeaux blend. We met up at Hotel Montage in Beverly Hills. So I was delighted when Roger Asleson, Opus One’s Director of P.R. 1999 Opus One Napa Valley, USA Avg Price (ex-tax) 482 / 750ml Red - Bold and Structured 4.5 from 18 Reviews 92 / 100 from 8 Critic Scores Producer tasting notes: 'The 1999 Opus One offers aromas of cassis, cloves, and roasted almonds against a creamy texture of soft tannins and round, rich fruit.
The last time, I enjoyed an Opus One tasting was in 1999, when the Napa Valley Winery celebrated its 20th anniversary. This guest-post comes to us from Mira Advani Honeycutt, author of California’s Central Coast, The Ultimate Winery Guide: From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles.