2003 Opus One, Napa Valley, Bottle (750ml)
$475
95LP94RP94JD
Critic key
RP = Robert ParkerJD = Jeb DunnuckLP = Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Product Description
LP95 "The 2003 Opus One is deep garnet in color with a touch of brick. It opens with gorgeous rose oil, crushed cloves, and chocolate box scents, leading to a core of plum preserves and blueberry compote with a touch of garrigue. The full-bodied palate has a solid structure of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness to support the bright, expressive black fruits, finishing long and opulent. Aging a a glacial pace, while delicious now, this fragrant beauty still has a good 15-20-years+ to go." LPB for TWI Jan 2023
JD94 "From a vintage that saw plenty of rain at harvest, the 2003 Opus One is nevertheless ripe and nicely concentrated, with plenty of intensity in its ripe cassis and redcurrant fruit as well as spicy, herbal, and cedary nuances. The tannins are certainly more present here, and probably always will be, but this is a classic, impeccably put-together Cabernet that will evolve for another 15 years. The blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Malbec." JD Feb 2023
RP94 "This blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec aged 17 months in French oak is a strong effort offering creme de cassis, cedarwood, white chocolate and spice box. It possesses a Bordeaux-like personality, as one might expect since Opus One is owned by Baroness Philippe de Rothschild and the winemaking team comes primarily from Pauillac. The significant tannin in the wine provides a slight austerity, but this is a full-bodied, rich effort that marks the beginning of a period when Opus One finally began to live up to the enormous potential first announced in the late 1970s by the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild and the late Robert Mondavi. Although accessible now, the 2003 will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring and should keep for two decades." RP Jun 2013
JD94 "From a vintage that saw plenty of rain at harvest, the 2003 Opus One is nevertheless ripe and nicely concentrated, with plenty of intensity in its ripe cassis and redcurrant fruit as well as spicy, herbal, and cedary nuances. The tannins are certainly more present here, and probably always will be, but this is a classic, impeccably put-together Cabernet that will evolve for another 15 years. The blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Malbec." JD Feb 2023
RP94 "This blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec aged 17 months in French oak is a strong effort offering creme de cassis, cedarwood, white chocolate and spice box. It possesses a Bordeaux-like personality, as one might expect since Opus One is owned by Baroness Philippe de Rothschild and the winemaking team comes primarily from Pauillac. The significant tannin in the wine provides a slight austerity, but this is a full-bodied, rich effort that marks the beginning of a period when Opus One finally began to live up to the enormous potential first announced in the late 1970s by the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild and the late Robert Mondavi. Although accessible now, the 2003 will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring and should keep for two decades." RP Jun 2013