Opus One

Robert Mondavi OPUS ONE Napa Valley California from USA, California, Napa Valley by Robert Mondavi (1 x 75 cl)

A great deal of care and expertise is required to produce this wine which is a collaboration between Robert Mondavi and the Chateau Mouton Rothschild families. The brainchild of two leading lights of the wine world, Robert Mondavi and Philippe de Rothschild, Opus One is a Napa Valley based joint venture with a commitment to quality and perfection. Its magnificent location, opulent winery and state-of-the-art technology is grape nirvana. The grapes are hand sorted and it is only gravity that is used to move the berries from the destemmer into the stainless steel fermenting tank. As Opus One only makes 1 wine each tank is used only once during harvest so that fermentation and maceration do not need to be rushed. The tank draws out a myriad of rich flavours and colours from the grape skin, seed and pulp. The tanks are then raised so the free-run wine can flow into new French Oak Barrels, while the residue that provides the backbone to this wine is also barrel aged. Once ready Fining takes place that clarifies and polishes the wine. The 1997 vintage is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. During the growing season abundent sunlight in the previous vintage produced high fertility in the vine buds and a large crop was thinned to the lowest per acre yield in a decade. As a result of this the harvest was very compact lasting just 11 days and produced wines of vigor with finesse. A complex, vigorous, fresh tasting wine showing currant, anise, black cherry, mineral, leather and sage flavors with delicate liquorice flavours and scents. Sweet and powerful, this is an easy drinking wine with subtle tannins and a marvellous finish. (6 x 75 cl)

Robert Mondavi OPUS ONE Napa Valley California from USA, California, Napa Valley by Robert Mondavi (1 x 75 cl)

Robert Mondavi OPUS ONE Napa Valley California from USA, California, Napa Valley by Robert Mondavi (1 x 75 cl)

Robert Mondavi OPUS ONE Napa Valley California from USA, California, Napa Valley by Robert Mondavi (1 x 75 cl)

Robert Mondavi OPUS ONE Napa Valley California from USA, California, Napa Valley by Robert Mondavi (1 x 75 cl)

Robert Mondavi OPUS ONE Napa Valley California from USA, California, Napa Valley by Robert Mondavi (1 x 75 cl)

A classic, dry white wine with vibrant aromas and flavors of apple, pear and tropical fruit. Barrel fermentation and aging add complexity and a hint of creamy oak on the finish. (6 x 75 cl)

Robert Mondavi is known for producing hand-crafted wines of distinct style. Representing the best of California wine growing regions, including the legendary Napa Valley, each of the wines offers unique qualities and characteristics. For over twenty-five years Mondavi's Woodbridge winery have been making fine wines in the Lodi region, one of California's oldest winemaking areas. It has grown in a quarter century, but still operates like a very small winery in many ways with gentle, hands-on techniques in the vineyards and winery that result in smooth, great tasting wines. This wine is dominated by 93% Shiraz as well as a little 5% Petite Sirah, 1% Viognier and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. After 13 months ageing this wine has an intense, ripe blackberry character, accented with violet and allspice. Seductive vanilla nuances, from barrel ageing, linger in the deep, velvety fruit flavours. (12 x 75 cl)