Born from the partnership between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, Opus One has embodied since the late 1970s a meeting between Bordeaux tradition and Californian precision. The estate is located in Oakville, in the heart of Napa Valley, on terroirs particularly favorable to Cabernet Sauvignon. The gravelly and alluvial soils, combined with a warm climate tempered by influences from San Pablo Bay, allow the grapes to ripen fully while maintaining good freshness. Cabernet Sauvignon naturally forms the backbone of the wine, complemented by other classic Bordeaux grape varieties. The estate's philosophy is based on an extremely rigorous selection of plots, controlled yields, and a constant search for balance rather than pure power. The 2014 vintage is part of a series of great Californian years marked by early and homogeneous ripening. It gives birth to an Opus One that is both deep, polished, and already very harmonious, endowed with sufficient structure for long bottle aging.
Opus One 2014 blends 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 2% Malbec. The high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon provides a precise backbone, structuring tannins, and great aromatic persistence. Petit Verdot enhances depth and spices, while Cabernet Franc contributes floral elegance and freshness to the whole. Merlot adds a softer texture, and Malbec completes the blend with a touch of fruit and density. Vinification is carried out with particular attention to the finesse of extractions to preserve the vintage's natural balance. Aging in French oak barrels then gradually supports the structure and refines the matter without masking the fruit. After more than ten years of evolution, the 2014 begins to develop an attractive tertiary complexity while retaining remarkable energy.
The color shows a deep garnet hue with still strong ruby reflections. The nose opens on blackcurrant, blackberry, and black cherry, complemented by nuances of violet, graphite, and fine spices. Aeration gradually reveals cedar, cocoa, blond tobacco, and a slight balsamic dimension. The palate is ample and velvety, with very fine tannins that give more an impression of depth than demonstrative power. The black fruit remains precise, supported by freshness that perfectly balances the natural richness of Napa Valley. The finish is long and harmonious, on blackcurrant, spices, dark chocolate, and mineral nuances. Opus One 2014 will accompany a beef fillet, a roasted rack of lamb, duck breast, game birds, or cuisine featuring wild mushrooms.
Grape varieties: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 2% Malbec
