![]() The positive result was that denser replanting was key going from rows 12 feet apart with vines every 8 feet to 4 by 4 closer together competing. However in 1990 phylloxera was discovered in Q Block that resulted in a replanting on St. Another issue was the vines as Mondavi sold a key 35 acre Q block parcel of To-Kalon to the venture plus in 1983-84 they acquired two more vineyards across Highway 29 from Mondavi totalling 138 acres of which 108+ were planted. 1990 was the last vintage made at the Mondavi facility and 1991 the first one in that spectacular new Opus One winery (plagued by water issues built over a geothermal spring with cost overruns). From about 1986 on some Bordeaux vinification methods were being deployed and by the early nineties harmony developed between the Bordeaux & Napa contributions. Initially it was somewhat difficult to reach the unique perfect Opus One style with Bordeaux experts first Lucien Sionneau and in the late eighties Patrick Leon seeking more elegance & finesse while the Mondavi family (Robert, MIchael & Tim with Genevieve Janssens) focusing on the rich bold riper Napa fruit. In the early years the wine was produced at the Mondavi winery and was very California. There were so many aficionados of their wines (Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon & Chateau Mouton Rothschild) that the launch of their joint project of Opus One in Oakville California with the inaugural 1979 vintage was met with highly enthusiastic anticipation. It is pretty rare for Opus One to be so approachable at this stage.Your scribe is a long time follower and admirer of the work of both Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe De Rothschild. It will be interesting to see if the 2018 gains body with a bit of time in bottle. Silky tannins and lifted, perfumed aromatics add to an impression of finesse that distinguishes the 2018 from some of the preceding vintages in a pretty big way. It offers pleasure today but should benefit from 4-5 years in the cellar, and my money is on it evolving for 30 years or more."ĭecanter Magazine scored this 95 points saying "The 2018 Opus One is incredibly elegant and polished, right out of the bottle. It plays in the finesse-driven end of the spectrum yet is concentrated and seamless, with serious length. With a Pomerol-like elegance and purity, it's medium to full-bodied and has wonderful tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This deep purple-hued effort leans to lively, fresher side of the vintage but has a brilliant, utterly classic style in its crème de cassis and blue-tinged fruit as well as notes of lead pencil, candied violets, damp earth, and chocolate-like nuances. Jeb Dunnuck scored this 97 points saying "The 2018 Opus One is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly wound layers of crunchy black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with lifted fruitiness and on a lingering mineral note." The Wine Advocate scored this 98 points saying "Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Opus One soars out of the glass with bright, bold boysenberries, warm cassis and ripe, juicy black plums notes, plus emerging nuances of lilacs, oolong tea, cinnamon stick, tilled soil and black truffles. The quality of tannin is exquisite with wonderful polish and refinement. Fresh herbs, such as bay leaf and lemongrass highlight the dark fruit. It’s full-bodied, yet ever so balanced and refined, with super fine tannins that last for minutes. James Suckling scored this 99 points saying "Extremely perfumed and floral with lavender, lilacs and violets to the sweet, ripe berries, such as blackberries and blackcurrants. This 2018 is an extraordinary Bordeaux blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec from Napa Valley. The joint venture that started it all was between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi.
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