Scott Johnson, of Johnson Fain & Pereira Associates of Los Angeles, did a balancing act between the California Mission-style favored by Mondavi and the chateau concept preferred by the Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, who succeeded her father upon his death in 1988. The striking facility cost $15 million, says project manager Stuart Harrison, but with all the equipment in place, the expenditure must have gone well over $20 million.Īrchitect R. Now, with a facility in which to make the wine and a vineyard of its own, Opus is no longer a wine looking for a home-it’s a real winery. However, the grace and complexity of Opus One have always made it drinkable when young, unlike many of the reserves, and it has turned out to have the staying power for cellaring too. The wine, always made at Mondavi by winemakers from both partners in the 50-50 project, was rarely as powerful as some “reserve” wines of other wineries. In the early years, because the wine was not tied to a specific vineyard site, the winemakers blended grapes from various regions to make a wine that hewed to an unwavering style. Recently a Bay Area wine shop hung out a joking sign that read, “Opus One, regularly $63, now $62.99.” Today, though, it’s selling all of its production (12,000 cases of the 1988) without much trouble, and you rarely find it discounted much below $58. A few years back it was moving so slowly it was sold to discount warehouses, which marketed it at $35.99. In the beginning Opus One did have to weather some market resistance. The market didn’t go for it, though, and a year later he meekly released his 1986 at $50. For example, after years of making headlines with his Stag’s Leap Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon, Warren Winiarksi put a $75 price tag on the 1985 vintage. The high price made Opus One stand out, and it gained a cachet few California wines have ever been able to attain. At the time it was the most expensive California wine available (though it no longer is). It appears that the price, which at first seemed to have been put arbitrarily high, was a brilliant marketing move. The initial pricing of the first Opus One-at $50-was not shocking to those who realized that this price was partly set to gain attention. Of course, with the prestigious names of Mondavi and Rothschild behind it, no one had seriously expected the wine would be cheap. VARIETALSCabernet Sauvignon 84%, Merlot 5.5%, Cabernet Franc 5.If anything was ever criticized, it was the price. The acidity and tannin structure promise a very long life ahead for this wine. The flavors of dark fruit are enhanced by the well integrated acidity. Round velvety tannins enrobe a silky texture with a slight touch of minerality. Tasting Note Aromas of fresh blackberry, rose petals, chocolate and espresso accentuate a profound tapestry of fruity and earthy nuances. Harvest began on September 23 and succinctly concluded thirty-one days later on October 23. The success of the 2010 harvest was assured when we correctly assessed the early maturity of the grapes and had the confidence to pick at the first sight of ripeness. Having left the sufficient number of leaves on the vines so as to have a full canopy, our grapes avoided possible sunburn from this late season heat. Unexpectedly high temperatures in late August and September allowed the vines to finish the growing season very well. Bud break and flowering were eight days later than the 5-year average. While colder than normal, the leaves were able to produce the needed sugar, while the grape berries developed lovely and complex flavor and aroma components. Mother Nature was capricious and challenging in presenting us with tremendous variability – unseasonably cold days, untimely rain fall, and surprisingly sunny and hot days. The 2010 vintage will be long remembered as a uniquely demanding year. Dedicated to uncompromised quality, Opus One’s sole purpose is to express this vision and passionate spirit for generations to come. Opus One, like any great work, arose out of passion. By combining the great winemaking traditions and innovations of both families, the founders' singular goal was to create an exceptional wine in the heart of Napa Valley. Opus One was founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, legendary proprietor of Château Mouton Rothschild, and renowned Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi.
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