![]() It is pretty rare for Opus One to be so approachable at this stage. Tasted next to the 2018, both offer similar characteristics but the 2019 is a bit more complex and less spicy. It will be interesting to see if the 2018 gains body with a bit of time in bottle. Average of 92.5 points in 17 community wine reviews on 2019 Opus One, plus professional notes, label images, wine details, and recommendations on when to drink. Silky tannins and lifted, perfumed aromatics add to an impression of finesse that distinguishes the 2018 from some of the preceding vintages in a pretty big way. It offers pleasure today but should benefit from 4-5 years in the cellar, and my money is on it evolving for 30 years or more."ĭecanter Magazine scored this 95 points saying "The 2018 Opus One is incredibly elegant and polished, right out of the bottle. It plays in the finesse-driven end of the spectrum yet is concentrated and seamless, with serious length. With a Pomerol-like elegance and purity, it's medium to full-bodied and has wonderful tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This deep purple-hued effort leans to lively, fresher side of the vintage but has a brilliant, utterly classic style in its crème de cassis and blue-tinged fruit as well as notes of lead pencil, candied violets, damp earth, and chocolate-like nuances. Jeb Dunnuck scored this 97 points saying "The 2018 Opus One is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly wound layers of crunchy black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with lifted fruitiness and on a lingering mineral note." The Wine Advocate scored this 98 points saying "Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Opus One soars out of the glass with bright, bold boysenberries, warm cassis and ripe, juicy black plums notes, plus emerging nuances of lilacs, oolong tea, cinnamon stick, tilled soil and black truffles. The quality of tannin is exquisite with wonderful polish and refinement. ![]() Fresh herbs, such as bay leaf and lemongrass highlight the dark fruit. It’s full-bodied, yet ever so balanced and refined, with super fine tannins that last for minutes. James Suckling scored this 99 points saying "Extremely perfumed and floral with lavender, lilacs and violets to the sweet, ripe berries, such as blackberries and blackcurrants. This 2018 is an extraordinary Bordeaux blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec from Napa Valley. It’s not a horrible wine but it is distinctly one that you are paying more for the name than anything else and, frankly, I’m done paying.The joint venture that started it all was between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi. From Napa, there are bottles from Chappellet, Groth, Bevan, Frank Family, Moone-Tsai, Diamond Creek, Blankiet, Dominus and more that I would be happily content with having 2-3 bottles of for the price of one Opus. After trying an Opus now with more than 13 years of bottle age, I have to wonder what follows the old proverb after “Fool me thrice…”.Įspecially at the $300+ price point (with the 2004 now around $450 a bottle), I can name dozens of Bordeaux wines at or below that level that deliver way more value and pleasure. I was very underwhelmed with both but have been told repeatedly by wine folks that “Opus needs time” and that it’s unfair to judge them with less than 10 years of bottle age. This was the third time I’ve had Opus after tasting the 2009 at an event and 2011 at the winery. ![]() The mix of oak and tobacco spice are still present and last thru the moderate length finish. The mouthfeel is the best part of the wine by far. Medium-plus acidity adds freshness and balances well with the velvety soft medium-plus tannins. On the palate those dark fruits become slightly more defined as black currants and bring an herbal element with them. A mix of dark fruits that aren’t very defined, noticeable oak spice but also some tertiary tobacco notes. ![]() Simple black currant fruit characterize this wine. ![]()
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