When it coes to enjoying Opus One 2012, wine experts suggest drinking it now through 2028 to really get the best out of your bottle. While this may seem like an expensive bottle of wine for some, the complexity of flavors and aromas make it well worth the price tag. The 2012 vintage of Opus One saw a price increase from $396 in 2019 to $413 in 2021 – a 4% increase that demonstrates its increasing popularity and demand. This paticular vintage was created with a blend of five grapes – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec – and is characterized by a long layered aftertaste. Produced in Oakville, California since 1979, this iconic winery has earned a renowned reputation for excellence. Sassicaia is the most famous Bordeaux blend in Italy and has spawned many imitations, whereby the blend is now firmly established in the New World and particularly in California and Australia.Opus One 2012 is one of the most highly sought-after wines in the world. In St-Emilion and Pomerol, the blends are Merlot dominated as Cabernet Sauvignon can struggle to ripen there - when it is included, it adds structure and body to the wine. However 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wines can be slightly hollow-tasting in the middle palate and Merlot with its generous, fleshy fruit flavours acts as a perfect foil by filling in this cavity. It is particularly suited to the dry, warm, free- draining, gravel-rich soils and is responsible for the redolent cassis characteristics as well as the depth of colour, tannic structure and pronounced acidity of Médoc wines. In the Médoc and Graves the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend can range from 95% ( Mouton-Rothschild) to as low as 40%. This is actually the archetypal Bordeaux blend, though in different proportions in the sub-regions and sometimes topped up with Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Find out moreĬabernet Sauvignon lends itself particularly well in blends with Merlot. This official appellation status further solidifies the region’s significance in the wine industry. In recognition of the unique terroir and distinct characteristics of the wines produced, Oakville was designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1993. Careful grape selection, hand harvesting, small-lot fermentations, oak barrel aging, and blending are standard practices used to craft complex and balanced wines. Winemakers in Oakville employ various traditional and modern winemaking techniques to ensure the highest quality wines. Prominent names like Robert Mondavi Winery, Opus One, Far Niente, Screaming Eagle, and Harlan Estate have put Oakville on the world wine map. Oakville is home to some of the most prestigious and iconic wineries in Napa Valley. The Napa River runs through the area, further enriching the soils with sediment deposits. The region features a mix of volcanic, alluvial, and sedimentary soils that offer distinct characteristics to the grapes.

The diverse soils add to the complexity of the wines produced. The region’s proximity to San Pablo Bay allows for morning fog, which provides natural cooling, making it ideal for slow grape ripening and flavour development. Oakville benefits from a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny days and cool nights. However, you can also find other Bordeaux varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, as well as some white wine grapes like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The primary grape variety is Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in the region’s warm climate and well-drained soils. The favourable climate, diverse soil types, and skilled winemaking practices have contributed to Oakville’s reputation as a top wine-producing area. It is considered one of the premier appellations for producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Oakville is a renowned wine region in the heart of Napa Valley, California, USA.

It differs from Opus One in that it is a non-vintage wine, crafted from the fruit of several vintages. A second wine, Overture, is also produced. Like a lot of top Classified Growth Bordeaux, Opus One undergoes ageing in new French oak barrels for around a year and a half.

Opus One itself is a red Bordeaux blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. There are two wines produced at Opus One. There are four estate-owned vineyards, including considerable holdings in the prestigious To Kalon vineyard. It is located in the Oakville sub-region of California’s Napa Valley. The ambitious pair created Opus One in 1978, the first vintage following in 1979. It was founded as a joint venture between two leading wine producers: Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the owner of Château Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, Bordeaux and Robert Mondavi, one of the most influential figures in Californian wine history. Opus One is among California’s leading wine estates.

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