Opus One : Opus One 2010

A Demanding Vintage Yields a Wine with Velvety, Well-Rounded Tannins

Born from the union of Baron Philippe de Rothschild (Chateau Mouton-Rothschild) and Robert Mondavi, a respected oenologist from Napa Valley, Opus One offers a pure expression of California's most prized terroirs created in a Bordeaux style. By combining the winemaking philosophies of the New and Old Worlds, the pair has created a single, exceptional wine with the fruit and power of Napa Valley combined with the elegance and restraint of Bordeaux. The 2010 vintage will be remembered as quite demanding, with plenty of variability in temperature, a late budbreak and unexpectedly hot days in August and September. Harvest began on September 23rd and concluded on October 23rd, yielding ripe fruit, perfect for the elaboration of an age-worthy wine. The Opus One 2010 is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.5% Cabernet Franc, 5.5% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. After the harvest, the grapes were left to macerate with skin contact for 19 days and the final blend was aged for 18 months in new French oak.

The Opus One 2010 is a beautiful vintage, with a nose revealing aromas of blackberry, rose petals, espresso beans and chocolate, along with earthy touches. On the palate, the tannins are velvety and well-rounded, coating the mouth with a silky texture and offering a pleasant hint of minerality. The dark fruit flavors are beautifully complemented by a well-integrated acidity, which predicts a fantastic potential for guard.