![]() The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth. Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. Two parcels, totaling 100 acres, are within the renowned To Kalon Vineyard. These are complemented by the combined 70 acres of the Ballestra and River parcels, which envelop the winery. In the vineyards, hand-harvesting and other traditional approaches are taken wherever they work best. When modern techniques benefit the winegrowing process, they are researched, evaluated and integrated into practice ![]() The estate vineyards of Opus One, comprised of four parcels, sit in the western portion of the famed Oakville AVA in Napa Valley. It remains an ongoing testament to the founders’ vision of a singular wine that transcends generations. Rising gracefully from the vineyards, Opus One winery stands in subtle celebration of the land and the open space that surrounds the estate. Guided by the vision of our founders, winemaker Michael Silacci combines intuition and technical acumen with the dual perspective of viticulturist and winemaker. From tasting berries to careful sorting and extended aging in new French oak barrels, each stage of the winemaking process is afforded the same meticulous consideration and attention. After 18 months, the Opus One wine is bottled and held an additional 15 months until release on October 1st each year. Place, often defined as terroir, represents the geography, the climate and the essential human element which is captured in the wine’s balance between power and finesse, structure and texture. The essence of time is expressed in Opus One wine by the character of each vintage. The facial profile of the two founders is visible on their iconic label. Producing luxury wines from its Napa Valley vineyards, the partnership made its first vintage in 1979 and has made wine at Opus One since 1991. Opus One is a partnership founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, France, and renowned Napa Valley vintner, Robert Mondavi. Learn about Opus One, it’s history, the winery and the wine. During fermentation and maceration, component lots received an average of 20 days of skin contact prior to 19 months of barrel aging in new French oak. The 2007 Opus One is composed of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. The wine will age effortlessly for decades. Polished, supple and harmoniously precise, the 2007 fuses a seamless mid-palate with soft yet sinewy tannins. Reminiscent of the generous 2001 vintage in style and structure, the 2007 shows very high color intensity with aromas of cassis, nutmeg, raspberries, cola, fresh oats, dark chocolate and forest floor. During the 21 days of crush, the crews worked 12 night harvests, delivering the first fruit on September 4th and the last on October 17th. A heat spell, unseasonably cool temperatures, rain and the threat of frost posed an unusual challenge for Opus One's harvesting crews. Drink, enjoy and melt away into a world of your own.Providing ideal weather for both budbreak and veraison, the 2007 growing season was picture perfect until late August, when a unique combination of extremes subverted the prospect of a quick and early harvest. This is quite possibly one of the sexiest wines I have every tasted and at an average price point (retail) of $200 a bottle, it really should be and is (for me anyway) the Brad Pitt of wines. As the wine opened up more it rested nicely on the palate and had a fullness that made this wine really juicy – incredible tannins that made you suck your cheeks in a little. I slowly took my first sip and truly understood the hype! Smooth, rich, creamy, smoky, intense with a taste of bitter chocolate and sweet ripe cherries. The aroma is subtle and not pungent like I thought it would be – ripe cherries and dark chocolate with a hint of aniseed. I wanted to drink it immediately, but out of respect for the wine I swirled it for a minute and then inhaled my first nose. The Opus One is a deep, dark cherry color – almost opaque. ![]() We slowly opened the wine and poured the first glass. Cheers Marcella – Lauren, Catherine, Larry & Me! (please excuse the non-red wine drinking glasses)
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