![]() ![]() ![]() There is usually far less substance to this wine, and the complete lack of sincerity and friendliness of its staff makes the whole experience not worth bothering. Basically, the reputation of Opus One lies solely on the marketing machine. It costs far more than what the wine quality actually usually merits, despite its "reputation". Daniel Cuvee Pahlmeyer (one of our favorite blends in the world) Blankiet Estate Robert Craig: Affinity Gemstone Sloan Pride: Reserve Claret Cardinale (another of the Kendall Jackson special wineries) Beaulieu Vineyards: Tapestry Vineyard 29 Regusci: Proprietary Red These don't even include the wines that are far more legendary in Napa that regularly take top honors and are far better regarded (but usually cost more): Abreu Araujo Bond Bryant Colgin Dalla Valle (Maya) Harlan Hundred Acre My point is this: I NEVER recommend friends to visit Opus One. In fact, I wouldn't say it is one of the most heralded wines in Napa Valley! For cabernet and cabernet blends, any of the following wineries consistently outperform Opus One and at similar or more reasonable prices: Verite: La Joie (owned by Kendall Jackson family, in Sonoma) Kapcsandy Family Dominus Peter Michael: Les Pavots (straddling Napa and Sonoma) Joseph Phelps: Insignia (one of the best wines annually in Napa) Lail Vineyards: J. It is NOT one of the most heralded wines in the world. (This, for me, stands in direct contract to the otherwise Vegas-like winery at Darioush, where we always send friends to visit while in Napa.) Opus One is the product of incredible marketing. As has been stated so many times herein, the staff obviously still tend to be incredibly pretentious and the surroundings, though impressive, leave one feeling cold. Many years ago, we visited Opus One during our first visit to Napa. My partner and I are serious wine fanatics-we belong to some of the most acclaimed and sought-after wine allocation lists in Napa and Sonoma (including Harlan Estate, Byrant Estate, Colgin, Abreu, Araujo, Kistler, Peter Michael, to name just a few). Flavors of cassis, black olives, raspberry and dark chocolate culminate in a long and luscious finish.In researching Napa for friends, I happened to notice some wineries reviewed herein which I thought needed an another perspective. A silky entry combines with a moderately soft mid-palate to express supple texture and a fine balance of fruit and acidity. A voluptuous garnet, the 2006 offers concentrated aromas of blueberry, rose petals, white truffle, licorice and nutmeg. Opus One tends to be remarkably expressive in its early youth, and the 2006 vintage is no exception. (Antonio Galloni)įirm, dense and concentrated, with excellent structure and a complex mix of herb, currant, sage and spice, providing a tight, savory profile. "The biggest change here has been our independence," said winemaker Michael Silacci, who took over winemaking responsibilities with the 2004 vintage previously former partners Mouton-Rothschild and Robert Mondavi were involved in crafting this wine. This is still quite tightly wound and will need several years of bottle aging to soften up (it won't be released until the fall of this year). ![]() Pure, penetrating flavors of cassis, lead pencil and bitter chocolate, with a sexy oak quality that I can only describe as Mouton-like. Dense and sweet but firmly structured, with lovely inner-mouth aromatic quality giving the wine sappy lift. Cassis, bitter chocolate and sexy smoky oak on the nose. Powerful and rich with sweet tannin, low acidity, and more structure and density than the 2005 as well as less nuance and complexity, the 2006 should be consumed over the next 15+ years.Ī five-variety Bordeaux blend based on 77% cabernet sauvignon. Not surprisingly, the 2006 is a bigger, more muscular, less charming effort displaying unbridled power, full-bodied richness, and notes of new saddle leather, black fruits, roasted herbs, and burning embers.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |