At a glance

Producer

Opus One Winery

Region

Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

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

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$425-$550 (750ml, current auction and retail estimates as of 2024)

Tasting profile

Aromatic notes of mature cassis, dried cherry, cedar cigar box, tobacco leaf, violets, cocoa, graphite, and subtle truffle; plush, seamless palate with resolved tannins and lingering finish.

Evolution: Primary blackcurrant fruit settled into complex layers of forest floor, leather, and exotic spice; structure softening while maintaining freshness.

At peak: Silky, layered, showing both Opus One’s signature plushness and classical Napa energy. Expect further savory notes and umami development through 2035.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-plus; vibrant for Napa, balanced

Tannins

Polished, refined, medium-high but very well integrated

Alcohol

Approx. 14.0% ABV

Aging potential

Capable of 25-30+ years from vintage in excellent cellaring conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2014 to 2027

Optimal window

2012 to 2027

Current status

Mature, drinking superbly; at or just past peak but with continued life under proper storage.

Current condition

The wine is in full maturity, expressing tertiary complexity while retaining structure, and is expected to last another decade or more at peak with ideal storage.

Opus One, as a flagship Napa Valley blend made to rival Bordeaux's finest, is renowned for remarkable longevity and complexity, particularly in strong vintages such as 2004. Cellared well, top bottles comfortably reach 25-30 years, showing peak complexity in the third decade but not fading unless poorly stored. The 2004 vintage offers richness, structure, and balance well suited for extended aging.

Food pairing

Mature prime rib, wagyu ribeye, rack of lamb, roasted duck, aged gouda or Comté, mushroom risotto, black truffle dishes.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (30-45 minutes) — Decant gently to separate potential sediment and allow tertiary aromatics to unfurl without losing delicacy.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Comprehensive water and energy conservation; drip irrigation with real-time monitoring; solar panels offset >50% of winery energy use; composting; cover cropping; recycled water use; extensive biodiversity in estate landscaping; recycled glass bottles; lighter weight glass introduced for environmental footprint.

Opus One is a leader in Napa for sustainability, holding major certifications and continuously improving resource efficiency and habitat health. Their estate vineyard management adheres to strict environmental protocols but is not officially organic or biodynamic (due in part to site challenges with those philosophies). Glass packaging is lighter than previous years but could be lighter still. U.S. shipping to consumers in Asia/Europe increases their carbon intensity compared to local market wineries. Opus One’s transparency and reporting exceed typical luxury brand standards, but lack of full organics and international transport keeps them below the absolute highest global benchmarks for sustainability.