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Tasting Notes
Less bristling with life than the previous two vintages, with a touch of earthiness on the nose, although the colour is deep. Soot, smoked earth, tobacco on the opening aromatics, followed up by strawberry puree, charcoal, liqourice root, walnut, forest floor. Still showing fine tannins and a structure that extends its limbs and luxuriates in taking its time. A vintage that saw early bud break, and an early harvest, with warm temperatures overall. 10 days skin contact, winemakers Lucien Sionneau and Tim Mondavi.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
One of the more compact wines in this tasting, the 1981 Opus One is aromatically high-toned and expressive. The fruit is a bit contained in this vintage, yet the wine remains vibrant and delineated from start to finish. There are barely any signs of oxidation in this pointed, focused Opus One. The To-Kalon richness is a bit in the background, but otherwise, it is hard to fault the 1981 too much, as it has aged impeccably well. The 1981 is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc.
The evolution of the 1981 Opus One continues to disappoint. The color has taken on a slight amber at the edge, and the nose offers faded, dried cherry fruit, a touch of oak, and some intrusive cardboard-like aromas intermingled with scents of weeds. There is little improvement on the palate, as the flavor profile is compact and the finish short, attenuated, and tannic. The fruit is drying out at a rapid pace.
About the producer
Created by Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Opus One is one of the most famous wines and estates in the Napa Valley. Its iconic Cabernet Sauvignon combines the elegance and freshness of Bordeaux with the natural ripeness and opulence of Napa.