Opus One 2008 – Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine (750ml)

Opus One 2008 is a mature and elegantly evolved proprietary red wine from Napa Valley, reflecting the established legacy of the joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi. As with all Opus One vintages, it is a Bordeaux-style blend primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, with varying percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, all sourced from their exclusive estate vineyards. By 2008, Opus Ones vineyards were well-established and producing grapes with consistent quality and complexity. The winemaking process involved careful hand-harvesting, rigorous sorting, and fermentation of individual vineyard blocks in stainless steel and concrete tanks. Extended maceration was utilized to extract desired flavors and tannins. Following fermentation, the wine was aged for approximately 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels. The 2008 vintage matured through its barrel aging, developing a refined integration of fruit, oak, and secondary characteristics. The final blend was meticulously determined by the winemaking team to achieve balance and complexity. After more than a decade and a half since its vintage, the 2008 Opus One has had significant bottle aging, allowing its initial fruit notes to transform into more nuanced tertiary aromas of dried fruit, leather, and cedar, resulting in a wine of remarkable smoothness, elegance, and sophisticated maturity. It was bottled without fining or filtration to preserve its depth.

Wine Advocate (Robert Parker): 95 Points

Wine Spectator: 93 Points

Flavor Profile: Layers of black cherry, cassis, graphite, and cedar. Refined balance of fruit, tannin, and acidity, with a long, silky finish.

Pairs Well With: Grilled or roasted red meats (beef, lamb), game meats, hard cheeses, mushroom-based dishes.

Opus One is an iconic Napa Valley winery that emerged from a pioneering joint venture between two monumental figures in the world of wine: Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux, France, and Robert Mondavi, a visionary and leading force in establishing Napa Valleys global reputation. This ambitious collaboration was initiated in 1978 with the singular goal of crafting a world-class Bordeaux-style blend in California that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the finest wines from Europe. The name "Opus One," derived from Latin, signifying "first work" or "first masterpiece," eloquently encapsulates this audacious undertaking and the profound spirit of partnership that defined its inception.

The underlying philosophy of Opus One is a distinctive synthesis of Old World tradition and New World innovation. This approach marries the meticulous vineyard management practices and the graceful, structured winemaking techniques characteristic of Bordeaux with the inherent generosity and ripe fruit expression afforded by Napa Valleys unique terroir. The winery exclusively draws its grapes from four distinct and highly esteemed estate vineyards located within the renowned Oakville AVA, critically including parcels of the celebrated To Kalon Vineyard. This exclusive sourcing guarantees complete oversight and control over the quality of their grape supply, from cultivation to harvest. These vineyards are tended with extraordinary care, increasingly adopting sustainable and organic principles to ensure the health and longevity of the land for future generations.

At the core of Opus Ones winemaking lies an uncompromising dedication to excellence and precision. The process begins with the hand-harvesting of grapes, followed by an exhaustive sorting process, often performed berry by berry, to guarantee that only the most pristine fruit advances. Individual vineyard blocks are fermented separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete tanks, a method that allows for highly precise management and tailored extraction from each parcel. Extended maceration periods are a common technique employed to optimally extract color, flavor, and the desired tannin structure.

Following primary fermentation, the wine undergoes significant aging, typically for a period of approximately 18 to 20 months. This aging occurs exclusively in 100% new French oak barrels. These barrels are carefully selected from specific cooperages to ensure they seamlessly integrate with and enhance the wines character without ever overshadowing the purity of the fruit. A pivotal stage in the winemaking journey is the final blending of the various components, which takes place after about a year of barrel aging. This crucial decision is meticulously guided by the winemaking team, who expertly combine the elements to achieve the ultimate harmonious and profound expression of that specific vintage. The finished wine is bottled without undergoing fining or filtration, a practice maintained to preserve its innate richness, complexity, and deep textural qualities.

While its esteemed founders have passed on, Opus One continues as a joint venture, now between Baron Philippe de Rothschild S.A. and Constellation Brands (who acquired the Robert Mondavi Winery in 2004). Regardless of changes in ownership, the winery steadfastly upholds the original grand vision and the exceptionally high standards established by its creators. The result is a singular, complex, and remarkably age-worthy proprietary red wine that consistently serves as a global benchmark for luxurious California Cabernet Sauvignon. Furthermore, the Opus One winery building itself is an architectural masterpiece, thoughtfully combining the timeless classicism of European design with the progressive modernism of Californian aesthetics, serving as a physical embodiment of the brands unique and innovative spirit.