Opus One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
Decanted prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1982 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and some rim variation; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a mix of tart, ripe and dried, mostly black fruits: cassis, blackberries, tobacco, dried flowers, grilled Poblano, leather, dry gravelly earth, and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. One of the earliest vintages of Opus One, this is showing really well at the moment. Drink now through 2042.
Decanted prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1982 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and some rim variation; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a mix of tart, ripe and dried, mostly black fruits: cassis, blackberries, tobacco, dried flowers, grilled Poblano, leather, dry gravelly earth, and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. One of the earliest vintages of Opus One, this is showing really well at the moment. Drink now through 2042.
Jun 28th, 2025
Mature, elegant, harmonious wine that has aged well. Distinctive tertiary notes in the wine give this a definite Old World personality despite having that classic core of fruit even restrained wines take on in Napa. I bet this was singing on its 20th Birthday.
Mature, elegant, harmonious wine that has aged well. Distinctive tertiary notes in the wine give this a definite Old World personality despite having that classic core of fruit even restrained wines take on in Napa. I bet this was singing on its 20th Birthday.
Sep 14th, 2018
Nice brambly old style Cali. Balanced and showing well. Delicious on the palate and finish.
Nice brambly old style Cali. Balanced and showing well. Delicious on the palate and finish.
Oct 18th, 2014Not exactly a stellar California vintage but this bottling is fairly impressive. Savvy varietal percentage blending and superior vineyard sources make the difference.
Not exactly a stellar California vintage but this bottling is fairly impressive. Savvy varietal percentage blending and superior vineyard sources make the difference.
Sep 1st, 2014
Surprisingly, a lot for fruit than the '84. Still pretty vibrant with some tannic structure
Surprisingly, a lot for fruit than the '84. Still pretty vibrant with some tannic structure
Nov 12th, 2013