At a glance

Producer

Opus One Winery

Region

Napa Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

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

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$350-$500 USD (750ml, retail as of 2024)

Tasting profile

Rich cassis, black cherry, ripe plum, with graphite, espresso, cedar, and floral notes. Palate is polished, showing fine tannins and layered depth.

Evolution: With age, expect more tobacco, leather, truffle, dried herbs, and greater savory complexity. Fruit will shift from primary to dried and preserved.

At peak: At peak: seamless integration, silken texture, and profound length with harmonious mature fruit, spice, and tertiary notes.

Structure

Acidity

Medium-plus, providing freshness and balance.

Tannins

Firm and refined, now integrated but still present for aging.

Alcohol

Approximately 14.5% ABV.

Aging potential

Very high—suitable for 25-30+ years in top storage.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2023 to 2033

Optimal window

2018 to 2033

Current status

Mature, still evolving, excellent for drinking now with further potential.

Current condition

Opus One 2013 is at a superb early plateau, displaying complexity and refinement. Structure and fruit suggest extended cellaring is possible through 2043, especially in optimal conditions.

2013 is one of Napa Valley's great vintages—exceptionally structured, age-worthy wines. Opus One 2013's pedigree, blend, and winemaking ensure longevity beyond most Napa peers. Professional consensus is a 25-30 year optimal window; some bottles could surpass this with perfect storage.

Food pairing

Prime rib, dry-aged New York strip, roast lamb, wild mushroom risotto, aged Comté, or hard cheeses. Robust and complex dishes pair best to match the wine's power and depth.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Decanting helps open aromas, soften remaining tannins, and release complexity in a mature yet still powerful red.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Cover cropping, owl boxes, solar energy (photovoltaic installation covers significant needs), recycled water for irrigation, composting of pomace, environmentally sensitive vineyard management, reduced chemical use, lightened bottle weight since 2020 (post-2013).

Opus One employs substantial, certified sustainable farming and winery practices (Napa Green, CSWA), reduces chemical usage, recycles water, and pursues habitat restoration on estate lands. They utilize renewable energy and are transparent about environmental stewardship but do not practice certified organic or biodynamic viticulture. International shipping increases carbon footprint for global buyers. Recent efforts in reducing bottle weight and renewable energy raise sustainability score, though improvements in regenerative practices and packaging are still possible.