Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
The Story
Born from the partnership between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, Opus One remains dedicated to producing a singular expression of Napa Valley Cabernet. The 2022 vintage followed a winter of abundant rainfall before an unusually dry late winter and a challenging period of extreme heat during harvest. Careful vineyard management and selective early picking preserved freshness and resulted in a wine combining ripe fruit with remarkable aromatic lift and precision.
Aroma
The nose opens with blueberry, cassis and dried rose petals, followed by savoury layers of olive, cigar box and graphite. Subtle rosemary, cedar and spice add further complexity, giving the wine both richness and aromatic lift.
Palate
Rich and harmonious, with bright red-fruit flavours layered against cassis, cocoa and fresh orange peel. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with juicy ripeness and fine-grained tannins providing structure without overwhelming the fruit. Graphite, espresso and subtle spice add depth through the mid-palate.
✨ Finish
Long, elegant and savoury, with wet stone, vanilla and a touch of coffee lingering beneath the dark fruit. Fine tannins and vibrant freshness give the finish both polish and persistence.
️ Origin
Oakville, Napa Valley California, USA
Opus One’s estate vineyards occupy the western portion of the Oakville AVA, including parcels within the historic To Kalon Vineyard as well as the Ballestra and River parcels surrounding the winery. The site’s combination of Napa Valley warmth, western Oakville soils and cooling influences helps produce Cabernet with both concentration and freshness.
The Blend
80% Cabernet Sauvignon · 8% Petit Verdot · 6.5% Cabernet Franc · 5% Merlot · 0.5% Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon forms the core of the blend, providing depth and structure, while Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec contribute floral lift, spice, texture and additional layers of complexity.
The Cellar
The wine spent 20 days in contact with the skins before being aged for 18 months in new French oak. Following bottling, Opus One holds the wine for an additional 15 months before release, allowing the tannins, fruit and oak to integrate. The result is a structured Cabernet-based blend with finely grained tannins and considerable cellaring potential.
️ Perfect With
Prime ribeye or grilled beef tenderloin
Braised short ribs with a rich reduction
Wild mushroom and truffle dishes
Herb-crusted rack of lamb
Aged Gouda or mature hard cheeses
Critical Acclaim
97 Points — Decanter
96 Points — James Suckling
95 Points — Wine Advocate
94 Points — Jeb Dunnuck
92 Points — Vinous
92 Points — Wine Spectator
⏳ Drink
2028–2045+
Approachable with decanting, but still youthful and structured. The wine’s fine-grained tannins, concentration and freshness provide the framework for substantial development in bottle over the coming decades.
