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Opus One 2017

RegionU.S.A.
Subregion U.S.A. > California > Napa Valley
ColourRed
TypeStill
Grape VarietyCabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

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Tasting Notes

Opus One had picked 91% of their fruit before the fires started in 2017, and only two lots were eliminated from consideration. The 2017 Opus One, bottled in July 2019, is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Merlot and 1% Malbec. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly grows on the nose, revealing compelling notes of baked black cherries, mulberries, black raspberries, warm cassis and blackberry pie with nuances of spice cake, yeast extract, tapenade, licorice and dusty soil with a waft of wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lively skip in its step, featuring bags of juicy raspberry and cassis-laced fruit and a refreshing line, supported by ripe, plush tannins, finishing long and graceful. Drink 2021-2036.

95
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate (245), October 2019

Lots of currant and floral notes on the nose. Hints of mint and spice. Medium-to full-bodied, round and savory with creamy, juicy tannins. Hints of citrus underneath. Bright, fresh and delicious. Drink or hold.

95
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2020

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 1% Malbec. 20-day maceration and then aged for 17 months in 100% new French oak. Wet spring delayed flowering by two weeks and then came a very warm summer. Big heat spike early September shut down ripening for a while so the alcohol level is 'only' 14%. Picked from 5 September (a little 'earlier than expected') and 91% was harvested by 8 October when the fires started. (Two lots eventually were rejected.) 54% native yeast, of which the one they call Dog was the dominant one. They made about the usual quantity.
Lustrous shaded garnet with some shading towards the rim. Interesting top note of tobacco with some candied fruit. Quite heady but well tamed. A combination of savoury and something as sweet and chalky as Edinburgh rock. Much livelier than the Overture just tasted, with tannin in evidence and a dry finish. Not a trace of smoke taint! Very mid Atlantic and really pretty sophisticated. Very appetising but quite youthful. Lightly angular and muscular. Drink with food now! May need to take on a little bit of puppy fat for perfection. Drink 2022-2036.

17.5
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, August 2020

Picked September 5th to October 14th with 80% cabernet sauvignon, 9% petit verdot, 5% cabernet franc, 5% merlot, and 1% Malbec – this wine was raised for 17th months in 100% new French oak barrels. A deep ruby-blue colour in the glass, with an intense, heady nose of ripe blackcurrant and cherry fruits. This has warmth, opulence and something appealingly exotic to it. Creamy vanilla and some spicy charcoal notes add complexity. The palate is rich, plush, chocolatey and has rounded generosity. Smooth and refined with a poise and restraint often missing in some more blockbuster style Californian wines. Polished and precise with a long enduring and clean finish. Almost drinkable already but certainly has the intensity and substance to age gracefully.

94
Farr Vintners, Farr Tasting, September 2020
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.