At a glance

Producer

Opus One Winery

Region

Oakville, 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-$475 USD

Tasting profile

Aromatic nose of blackcurrant, cassis, graphite, violets, cigar box, and hints of mocha. Palate is dense and structured with dark berry, plum, tobacco, and subtle oak spice.

Evolution: Will gain further complexity—leathery, earthy notes, tobacco, cedar, and truffle as tertiary characteristics develop.

At peak: Elegant balance, seamless integration, and harmonized fruit/tannin profile with layered secondary/tertiary flavors at peak maturity.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-high—provides freshness and longevity.

Tannins

Firm, polished, and integrated—ample for long-term aging.

Alcohol

14.5%

Aging potential

Excellent; 25-35+ years from vintage in optimal storage.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2037

Optimal window

2022 to 2037

Current status

Maturing with significant development; entering prime but will continue to evolve gracefully.

Current condition

Still youthful; integrated tannins, complex fruit, and secondary flavors surfacing. Excellent balance and structure from this top Napa vintage.

2015 was an excellent vintage in Napa Valley, yielding ripe but balanced fruit with freshness. With Opus One’s pedigree and winemaking, this wine displays robust structure and acidity, appropriate for 30+ years aging. Most 2015s will enter peak maturity around 2025 and remain vibrant beyond 2040.

Food pairing

Prime rib, rack of lamb, filet mignon, aged hard cheeses, mushroom risotto, or roasted root vegetables with herbs.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1-2 hours) — Decant to soften the tannins and open up the complex aromatics, especially if drinking before 2025.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

LED lighting and solar energy, onsite wastewater treatment and reuse, cover cropping for soil and biodiversity, integrated pest management, reduced chemical use, recyclable packaging, wildlife corridor preservation.

Opus One practices strong environmental stewardship and is Napa Green certified, signifying robust vineyard and winery sustainability measures (energy efficiency, water recycling, biodiversity). While not officially organic/biodynamic, they minimize synthetic inputs. Packaging considers recyclability, but heavy glass bottles elevate overall footprint. Wines sold globally contribute to higher transport emissions—a concern for international buyers. Overall, their efforts merit a high regional sustainability score, though short of fully regenerative or organic certification.