Napa Valley
2010 Opus
One
OCT 13 Deep ruby. Fruity, cassis, leather, ripe, nuanced, rich, almost minerals behind on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe and intense palate, long. 94
OCT 13 Deep ruby. Fruity, cassis, leather, ripe, nuanced, rich, almost minerals behind on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, ripe and intense palate, long. 94
2010 Opus One
JUN 13 Deep ruby. Scented, fruity,
leather, cassis and graphite minerality, floral notes on the nose. Fresh
acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, layered, complex and quite intense, ripe and
long. Unlike the last bottle that was pop and pour, this one had been open but
not decanted for about twelve hours or so. 95
2010 Opus One
JUN 13 I was one of the very first
in Europe to taste this, the day after its official release. Ruby. Cassis,
vanilla, coffee notes, deep, complex and
layered nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, intense fruitiness, but still
refreshing. Quite nuanced even if everything is packed in right now, long
finish. 95
2009 Opus
One
JUN 13 Deep ruby. Scented, nuanced,
fruity, cassis, leather, floral notes, again graphite touch, almost a creamy note
as well to the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, nuanced and layered,
complex and more intense, long finish. 95
2008 Opus
One
DEC 11 Deep ruby, youthful, cassis,
coffee, blueberries. Softer texture, feels very elegant even as it is so young,
fresh acidity, ripe tannins, balanced, long length. 94
2007 Opus
One
JUN 13 Deep ruby. Scented, fruity,
nuanced, graphite minerals and some spices. Cassis and floral touch on the
nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lively, elegant, fruity and refined, lovely
balance, superb texture, elegant and very long indeed. 96
2006 Opus
One
MAR 10 Deep ruby, thin purple rim,
vanilla, fruit driven, dark berries, chocolate, fresh acidity, ripe tannins,
complex, pure youth, great structure, wood tannins needs time, vanilla, plums,
cassis, needs at least 10-15 years, will last longer. 93
2006 Opus One
NOV 09 Bright ruby, light in colour
for a Napa. Pure youth, a bit closed, leather, blackcurrants, cassis, cigar.
Nice acidity, ripe and elegant tannins, very complex and intense, will need 20
years, great balance, long length. 93
2005 Opus One
JUN 13 Deep
ruby. Scented, fruity, cassis and floral notes, quite intense, some mint and
spices on the nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruity, elegant, lively,
refreshing, long and nuanced, layered. 95
2005 Opus One
MAR 10 Deep ruby, thin purple rim, youthful,
paprika, cassis, vanilla, complex, fruit driven and very fresh. Vibrant
acidity, mouthwatering, dark fruits, ripe tannins, complex, elegant and
balanced, very long finish, needs 10-15 years minimum. 94
2005 Opus One
NOV 09 Deep ruby, lovely nose,
almost Bordeaux, some blackcurrants, bell peppers, cigars, coffee, vanilla and
white chocolate. Then spices, some anise and pepper. Very complex, typical cab.
Very elegant structure, good acidity, ripe tannins, very pleasant and long
finish. Very exciting. 94
2002 Opus
One
NOV 09 Dark ruby, ruby rim. Some wet
earth underneath, lots of blackcurrants, bell peppers, cigars, coffee and
chocolate. Intense and elegant at the same time. Complex and balanced with good
acidity and ripe big tannins. Long length. 91
1999 Opus
One
NOV 13 Deep ruby. Intense nose,
fruity, dark berries, vanilla and oak, tobacco notes, rich. Fruity
palate, intense, spices, structured, ripe fruits, layered, long. 94
1997 Opus One
MAY 10 Deep and bright ruby, garnet rim. Leather and cassis, touch of liquorice and blueberries, touch of vanilla and chocolate. Massive tannins, ripe, but still massive, good acidity, huge structure, almost like a barrel sample, complex, long, and very dry with the tannins. This is pure youth, and really needs time, feels younger than a bottle I tasted with David Pearson of Opus One just a few weeks back. Exceptional wine! 95
MAY 10 Deep and bright ruby, garnet rim. Leather and cassis, touch of liquorice and blueberries, touch of vanilla and chocolate. Massive tannins, ripe, but still massive, good acidity, huge structure, almost like a barrel sample, complex, long, and very dry with the tannins. This is pure youth, and really needs time, feels younger than a bottle I tasted with David Pearson of Opus One just a few weeks back. Exceptional wine! 95
1997 Opus
One
MAR 10 Deep ruby, garnet rim, quite youthful and closed still, blackcurrants, pepper and liquorice, floral and coffee notes. Great balance, fantastic structure, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cedar after a while in the glass, cigars, plums and prunes, elegant, and very long finish, wait another 6-10 years. 95
MAR 10 Deep ruby, garnet rim, quite youthful and closed still, blackcurrants, pepper and liquorice, floral and coffee notes. Great balance, fantastic structure, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, cedar after a while in the glass, cigars, plums and prunes, elegant, and very long finish, wait another 6-10 years. 95
1994 Opus
One
DEC 09 Ruby with pink rim. Fantastic
nose, very clean and elegant fruit, slightly perfumed, roses, cassis, leather,
cigars, paprika and perfect balance. Fresh and lively acidity, ripe tannins, beautiful
fruit, great intensity, very long finish. Amazing how fresh and little
development on this one. True beauty. Wish I had a case. 95
1993 Opus One
MAR 10 Deep ruby, thin brick rim, fine leather, more developed notes, complex, needs air to show, floral underneath, opens up into an intense floral garden, marvelous after a while, needs time to show, elegant tannins, fresh acidity, plums, great balance, quite seductive, even if not as expressive and layered as other Opus Ones. This is for ease of enjoyment rather than a study. 92
MAR 10 Deep ruby, thin brick rim, fine leather, more developed notes, complex, needs air to show, floral underneath, opens up into an intense floral garden, marvelous after a while, needs time to show, elegant tannins, fresh acidity, plums, great balance, quite seductive, even if not as expressive and layered as other Opus Ones. This is for ease of enjoyment rather than a study. 92
1992 Opus
One
MAR 10 Deep ruby, garnet rim,
gorgeous nose, very complex, tobacco, cedar, some vanilla, blackcurrants, hints
of prunes, fine leather, developing aromas. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, great
structure, fabulous balance, very elegant, some stone fruits, and fantastic
length. Peaking about now and over the next five years, will last longer. 95
1989 Opus
One
JAN 10 Ruby with thin orange rim.
Blackcurrants, some vanilla, intense, cedar, tobacco, hints of leather and
coffee, cigar. Great balance, elegant acidity, ripe tannins, the balance is
exceptional, superb finish, perfection. There is something indescribable about
this wine, so seductive, so perfect, something you can't describe, just like
the 94 Opus. I wish I had more of this......a wine of dreams, words aren't
enough. The people around the table was all astonished, and it was tasted
blind. A MW came up with 82 Cheval Blanc as a suggestion. 99
1985 Opus
One
JAN 10 Ruby with brick rim, some
sediments. Dusty first, hints of raisins and prunes, then Asian spices, getting
more intense after 15 minutes, sweet tobacco, leather and coffee. Fresh
acidity, ripe tannins, good balance, surprisingly lean body, very elegant and beautiful
finish. For everyone that believes all American and New World wines have to be
big, try this one. 92
1980 Opus One
MAR 19 Deep ruby, brick rim, some sediments, developed, dark fruits, chocolate, black tea, cigars, very elegant floral touch, kind of hanging above the rest, complex and deep. Good acidity, very mature tannins, sour cherries and stone fruit, leanish body, very vibrant, seductive nose, even herbs, incense, prunes and red plums, good length. 89
MAR 19 Deep ruby, brick rim, some sediments, developed, dark fruits, chocolate, black tea, cigars, very elegant floral touch, kind of hanging above the rest, complex and deep. Good acidity, very mature tannins, sour cherries and stone fruit, leanish body, very vibrant, seductive nose, even herbs, incense, prunes and red plums, good length. 89
