Opus One 2013 – Napa Valley Proprietary Red Wine (750ml)

Opus One 2013 is considered one of the most powerful and classic expressions from this iconic Napa Valley producer, a collaboration between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi. This proprietary red wine is a meticulous blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, with contributions from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, all exclusively sourced from Opus Ones exceptional estate vineyards in Napa Valley. The 2013 vintage was characterized by an ideal growing season, allowing the grapes to achieve optimal ripeness and concentration. The winemaking process is uncompromising: grapes are hand-harvested and undergo multiple stages of sorting to ensure pristine fruit. Individual vineyard parcels are fermented separately in stainless steel and concrete tanks, with precise temperature control and cap management techniques employed. Extended maceration is a key technique, allowing for maximum extraction of color, flavor, and structure from the grape skins. The wine then undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for approximately 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels. The specific blend for the 2013 vintage was carefully assembled after a year of aging, a critical decision to marry the components into a cohesive and profound wine. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered to retain its remarkable concentration, purity, and formidable tannic structure, ensuring an incredibly long aging potential.

Wine Advocate (Robert Parker): 100 Points

James Suckling: 100 Points

Vinous (Antonio Galloni): 97+ Points

Flavor Profile: Notes of blackberry, plum, tobacco, and espresso mingle with well-integrated oak.

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.