At a glance

Producer

Opus One Winery

Region

Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

Bordeaux Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$400-$600 per bottle (2024 auction and retail average)

Tasting profile

Cassis, blackcurrant, dried plum, mature cedar, sweet cigar box, leather, dark chocolate, tobacco, truffle, with hints of warm spice and earth.

Evolution: Primary fruit has softened; rich secondary and emerging tertiary notes (cedar, forest floor, savory spice) integrate with persistent dark fruit.

At peak: Richer and more layered upon opening; best bottles display remarkable harmony—silky tannin, deep fruit, and mature complexity.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus, providing freshness and poise

Tannins

Fine-grained, resolved but still supportive

Alcohol

13.9% ABV (labeled)

Aging potential

Long-lived for a California Cabernet; 30+ years from vintage in top storage due to elite winemaking and vintage quality.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2015 to 2025

Optimal window

2010 to 2025

Current status

At peak, declining slowly but still vibrant based on top provenance

Current condition

Mature, complex, showing resolved tannins and integrated tertiary notes; best bottles from excellent storage are still holding with full character.

Opus One, crafted in a top Napa vintage with classic structure, is known for extraordinary ageability. 2002 was a warm-but-balanced year, with generous fruit, ripe yet not overblown, and notable tannic structure. The wine’s pedigree and winemaking style support a 25-30 year window, with best bottles remaining vital into the early 2030s. Premier caveat: as with all mature wines, diversification of bottle condition should be expected; best bottles are absolutely at peak, while average ones may begin a slow decline post-2026.

Food pairing

Grilled or roasted beef, rack of lamb, dry-aged ribeye, duck confit, mature cheeses (Comté, aged cheddar), wild mushrooms and root vegetables.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (60-90 minutes) — Beneficial for gentle aeration and separation from potential sediment; awakens mature aromatics and preserves elegance.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Opus One employs integrated pest management, cover cropping, water conservation drip irrigation, solar power supplementing 50%+ of winery energy needs, and lightweight bottles with increased local sourcing for packaging. Ongoing wildlife corridor and biodiversity projects reduce chemical use.

Opus One is at the forefront of Napa’s sustainability movement, pioneering both environmental certifications (Napa Green) and real-world 'inside the bottle' efforts. While not organic or biodynamic, the estate limits chemical use, recycles water, and achieves considerable energy efficiency through solar arrays and greenhouse gas tracking. Packaging improvements are ongoing, and the bulk of wine is distributed within North America, moderating shipping emissions versus export-heavy Old World icons. Continuous improvement is evident, but as an ultra-premium brand with a global reach, overall impact remains moderate; leadership in regional sustainability earns high marks, but lack of organic certification and international luxury status limit a perfect score.