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: 1997 Opus One Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

1997 Opus One Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

SKU #990651 100 points Decanter

Outer quote mark Jumps out of the glass, another one that stands out among the very best in the line-up; intense, well integrated flavours, blackberry, menthol, black olive, spiced rosemary and liqourice, and a gorgeous smoked cedar oak. 4% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. This is the first vintage with all five varieties. 32 days skin contact, from a large initial crop that was thinned down to one of lowest yields to date. Harvest early and short, lasting just 11 days. Drinking Window 2019 - 2034 (JA) Inner quote mark (9/2019)

95 points Vinous

Outer quote mark The 1997 Opus One tastes like it was made yesterday, not 16 years ago. One of the most opulent, racy wines in this vertical, the 1997 literally explodes from the glass. Juicy dark red cherries, menthol, tobacco and licorice all make an appearance as the 1997 opens up over time. Readers holding the 1997 are in for a thrill. Even though the growing season was defined by hot weather, a short maturation cycle and a large crop, the wine turned out beautifully. In 1997 the blend is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, a first for Opus One. (AG) Inner quote mark (6/2013)

94 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark A rich, decidedly earthy style of Opus, showing currant, anise, black cherry, mineral, leather and sage flavors that are focused and complex. *Cellar Selection* (JL) Inner quote mark (11/2000)

90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Outer quote mark Full medium red, not particularly bright. Fully mature, slightly rustic aromas of plum, leather and cedary cigar box, with hints of game and veggies. Began savory and quite dry, even a little tart and spiky as if in decline, then gained in roundness in the glass, showing a somewhat darker fruit character. The brett suggestions faded with air but the greenness remained behind. Ultimately fairly suave in the middle palate but the initially fine-grained tannins turned a bit gritty with air. (ST, for Vinous) Inner quote mark (9/2017)

Jancis Robinson

Outer quote mark Very vigorous crimson. Looks exceptionally healthy. Still quite a ‘buried’ bouquet. Big and bold and sweet on the palate delivering lots of pleasure. Quite powerful but at least there is fruit on the front palate to compensate for lots of very fine tannins at the end. 18/20 points (JR) Inner quote mark (8/2007)

K&L Notes

Opus One was founded as a joint venture between Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, and in 1984 released its first vintage, the 1979. It has since become an international success and a landmark winery in Napa. With 169 acres of vineyards in Napa Valley, they produce a luxury Bordeaux-style blend.

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1997 Opus One Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend

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Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

- Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal, however dominant, in the wines of Bordeaux. Today it is the most planted red varietal in the world. Identified as a descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon needs to be planted in warmer climates to fully ripen. Its small berries can easily be identified for their distinctive blue color, thick skins and high tannins. And while the varietal has its own definitive characteristics: green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them, it is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking. A relatively new varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon started making inroads into the wines of the Médoc and Graves in the late-18th century. Today it is also dominant in the up-and-coming Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux and can also be found in Southwest France. It is the companion varietal to Sangiovese in Italy's Super Tuscans and is planted all over Europe, stretching to lesser-known winegrowing regions like Russia and Lebanon. In the Americas Cabernet Sauvignon has found champions in every nook and cranny of California and among winemakers in Washington, where it complements plantings of Merlot. In South America, Cab thrives in Chile, but can also be found in smaller amounts in Argentina and even in Mexico.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

California

- With the explosive growth that California's wine industry has seen the past several years, it's easy to view winemaking and grape growing in the Golden State as a recent phenomenon. And while it's true that California's viticultural history is brief compared to several European countries, this state's roots date back well over 200 years. Due to the enormous response to California wine within the United States and worldwide, there are thousands of excellent and diverse wines being produced within the state each year.

Specific Appellation:

Napa Valley

- America's most famous wine region, which encompasses a varied geographical territory running about 20 miles long from the San Francisco Bay northward to the foot of Mount St. Helena. Napa's great diversity, both in terms of climate and terroir, has led to the creation of a number of smaller AVAs like Stags Leap District, Rutherford, Howell Mountain, Oakville and Mount Veeder, among others. Cabernet and chardonnay still reign supreme, but just about everything under the sun is grown in Napa Valley, in quality levels ranging from $2 jug wine to $500 a bottle California cab.