This is going in both my Wine Standards & Now We Are Here Playlist as this is an iconic wine that everyone wine enthusiast must try to understand Napa Valley Cab and is at a price that would be considered a Trophy Wine.
Established in 1980 by Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, their first release was in 1984. As part of the collaboration, part of Robert Mondavi’s vineyard was sold to Opus One, including important parcels in the To Kalon Vineyards. They also got access to all Robert Mondavi lots but it was capped at 50% of any specific lot. The production of wine was initially done at Robert Mondavi vineyards but in 1991, Opus One built their own winery.
Robert Mondavi vineyards went public in 2000 and was sold to Constellation Brands in 2004. At first, the winemakers from Mouton and Robert Mondavi collaborated to make the wine but in 2001, Michael Silacci was hired as chief winemaker, a position he still holds today.
The 2005 vintage is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Wine is aged in new French oak barrels for 18 months. There was rain in May but very mild July -October so it resulted in a long ripening period. It was a very late harvest of the grapes, almost 1 month later than the 2004 vintage.
For more information about this winery, please visit their website at www.opusone.com