Opus One

Opus One is the partnership between Robert Mondavi; renowned Napa Valley vintner, and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, proprietor of First Growth Chateau Mouton Rothschild of Bordeaux. By combining the great winemaking tradition and innovations of both estates, the partners' singular goal was to create an exceptional wine. With the first harvest in 1979, from the outset two winemakers were employed, one from California and one from Bordeaux. The partners were determined that the wine should show both parents' identities, reflecting something of the terroir of Oakville in Napa and Pauillac in Bordeaux. In 2004 Robert Mondavi Enterprises was bought by US drinks giant Constellation Brands, however the Opus One team, led by winemaker Michael Silacci have total control over the small estate winery, which relies 100% on its own four vineyards amounting to around 50 acres; one of which now practices biodynamics. The wine is a classic left bank claret blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon (around 90%), Cabernet Franc, Merlot and sometimes tiny quantities of Malbec and Petit Verdot. Although commanding high prices; this big-money joint venture is a delicious wine full of the haunting beauty of intense and age worthy Cabernet Sauvignon.