1995 Opus One
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Tasting notes
Deep browning red. Sauvage aromas of plum jam, game and leather, with complicating notes of roasted fruits and herbs. Smooth on entry, then betrays a slight acid streak in the middle palate, displaying more earth, leather and game than fruit at this point. A distinctly old-style wine with an obvious element of brettanomyces. A vintage with a lot of bottle variation, according to winemaker Michael Silacci, who took over winemaking duties here in 2004.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Freshly cut flowers, raspberries, anise and savory herbs jump from the glass in the 1995 Opus One. A beautifully bright, focused wine, the 1995 stands out for its high-toned aromatics and fabulous balance. All the elements are in the right place. This is a distinctly pretty, feminine Opus One that is all about grace. An attractive aromatic lift rounds things out nicely. Stylistically, the 1995 belongs to the wines of similarly high rainfall vintages such as 1986 and 2011. The 1995 is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 2% Malbec. (AG)
Sorry, but after the European wines above, admittedly older, but only by five or six years in some cases, this seems relatively dull. Not much evolution. Better mannered than a fruit bomb but a bit fossilised. Sweet and sour. (JR)
Delicious aromas of chocolate, sweet tobacco, and currants. Full bodied and very soft, with velvety tannins and plenty of fruit. Interesting notes of iodine, lavender, iron, and plum. This is textbook stuff, holding on beautifully.
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.
Product details
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec/ Auxerrois / Cot
Red
Dry