Opus One 2001

Opus One 2001 is a mature-vintage Napa Bordeaux blend made by one of the true icons of Californian winemaking. Known as NapaMedoc for the first three vintages and rebranded in 1982 as Opus One, this iconic Californian winery was founded as a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi. The objective was to recreate a First Growth level, Bordeaux style wine in the Napa Valley and by every measure, they succeeded. Historically the Grand Vin has been a blend of around 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot aged for 18 months in 100% new French oak before being laid down for a further 18 months to mature in bottle. The 2001 Opus One is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. " This was the first time that Opus had its own winemaker, and immediately you feel the impact of his work. He felt instinctively that Opus needed to go richer, and from this point on it more regularly hits the Californian stride. It comes through in the construction of the wine, almost chewy, with striking, sexy dark chocolate, black pepper and cassis fruits, still with great acidity to keep things raising towards the finish. This was also the first vintage released to the Bordeaux marketplace - so signalling a period of immense change. The wine stands up well and has a long life ahead." Decanter, 2019