![]() Opus One is permitted to produce up to 110,000 gallons of wine annually. Green lawns slant upward to meet the walls of the front building, which seems to be rising out of the earth with some of the landscape still clinging to it. Located in Oakville in the heart of Napa Valley, the winery makes only one wine.The building itself opened in 1991 and is one of the more striking sights along Highway 29. Wine legends Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild founded Opus One in 1979. “I think it is a well-designed change for this winery that is minimally impactful,” Commissioner Michael Basayne said before the commission granted unanimous approval. Opus One wins expansion approval - Opus One winery convinced county Planning Commissioners on Wednesday that its success warrants doubling wine production and making other changes, despite some public concerns about cumulative impacts. A supremely age-worthy wine, it will delight now and for many years to come.Ĭabernet Sauvignon 80%, Petit Verdot 9%, Cabernet Franc 5%, Merlot 5%, and Malbec 1% The fine-grained, plush tannins evolve into a long, supple finish. This seductive wine shows flavors of black cassis, black cherry and a hint of cocoa powder. The juicy entry offers a round, silky mouthfeel with just enough acidity to complement the satin texture. The Opus One 2017 offers a harmonious aromatic balance of rich dark fruit, stems of roses, and earthy forest floor. Superb flavors and excellent ripening led to an earlier than expected harvest, which commenced on the 5th of September. Despite Mother Nature’s variability, favorable weather in August provided optimal conditions for fruit development and maturation. The summer, in turn, was warm and punctuated by occasional heat waves. Increased soil moisture allowed for healthy vine growth and development. The abundant rainfall continued into March, causing a modest delay in budbreak, and pushing bloom back by two weeks. The winter of 2017 ended a five-year drought with January recording the most rainfall in over 20 years. A delicate dark chocolate bitterness lingers on the finish. The freshness and soft glow of acidity create a subtle tension with dark fruit flavors, savory herbs, espresso, and cocoa. The creamy, satiny texture is framed by fine-grained tannins. The Opus One 2019 has intense aromas of black plum, blueberry, black currant, and dried rose petals, accentuated by mineral undertones. Harvest lasted four weeks, and activity in the cellar proceeded at a calm and steady pace. Picking began on September 10th, a couple of days earlier than average. However, warmer temperatures toward the end of summer accelerated the fruit’s development and maturity. This delay led to later bloom and veraison. The first signs of budbreak were observed in the vineyard on March 27th a full 15 days later than usual. Abundant spring rains, nearly double the annual average, saturated the soil and provided ample water for the growing season.
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