Opus One Red Blend 2017

Region: Napa Valley, California, United States
Grape(s): 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
Winemaker: Michael Silacci
Drinks Best: Now - 10 Years

The idea of Opus One actually began in Hawaii, of all places, as Robert Mondavi and Baron Phillipe de Rothschild met at a resort on the Big Island in 1970. They outlined a collaboration that would merge Old World and New World winemaking styles into one harmonious and grand opus. It took a decade to get off the ground, but the project was formally announced in 1980. Using parcels in the Oakville AVA of Napa Valley, including 35 acres of Mondavi’s own vineyards in the venerated To Kalon vineyard, they produced a Bordeaux-inspired blend of all five red Bordeaux grapes. Originally called Napamedoc, it was christened Opus One in 1985.

There’s nothing quite like being able to hold a piece of winemaking history in your hands, so we look forward to our small allocation of Opus One every year. The 2018 is Cabernet Sauvignon 84%, Petit Verdot 6%, Merlot 5%, Cabernet Franc 4% and Malbec 1%. Aged for 17 months in new French oak barrels, it is dripping with dark fruit flavors of black cherry and cassis with a bit of mocha. The texture is silky with just bit of satiny tannins to provide a counterpoint of structure.

Pairings: Pork chop with potatoes au gratin from The Rockford