Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties.

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. Turns out #OpusOne knows what it's doing.Learn about Opus One, it’s history, the winery and the wine. Okay enough is enough - this wine was the fucking bomb. Turns out #OpusOne knows what it's doing. Luscious tannins that balance out with a nice bit of minerality.

Dark fruits but not overbearing or jammy. It starts off nice and round but shows off its depth with layers of flavors and structure with each second it lingers in your mouth. Maybe it wasn't decanted long enough? (Although I had the resto at the time decant as soon as I entered) either way, I decanted this bad boy for over an hour and boy did it open up. Had the same bottle a few years back and it was missing something. Had it with medium rare filet mignon and grilled lobster tail.

This one has quite a few years of life left in it. He must have felt like the Cleveland Orchestra in Michael Jackson's Will You Be There (Free Willy Song). True, I may be biased, but after recently tasting the 19 vintages of Robert Mondavi's Napa Can, I can see how much RM benefitted from Rothschild's involvement in the 1998 Opus One.

Mmmmmm.ĭrinking the 2 decade old product of the masterful collaboration of the new world (order's) master, Robert Mondavi, and the old world's (puppet) master, Baron Philippe Rothschild was a dream cum. Drinking the 2 decade old product of the masterful collaboration of the new world (order's) master, Robert Mondavi, and the old world's (puppet) master, Baron Philippe Rothschild was a dream cum.

1998 opus one