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–$450 USD

Tasting profile

Vivid aromas of cassis, blackberry, black cherry, and violet, with hints of graphite, cocoa, espresso, gentle oak spice, and licorice. Palate is powerful and densely structured with polished tannins and energetic acidity.

Evolution: With age, expect evolution toward dried fig, tobacco, leather, cedar, earth, and savory umami complexity, while fruit flavors soften, tannins round, and integration deepens.

At peak: At peak, seamless balance of fruit, earth, oak, and secondary flavors; plush texture, persistent finish, and signature Napa opulence married to Bordeaux finesse.

Structure

Acidity

Medium to medium-high

Tannins

Firm, ripe, fine-grained

Alcohol

14.5% ABV

Aging potential

Exceptional; 25–35 years from vintage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2028 to 2039

Optimal window

2024 to 2039

Current status

Entering its optimal window; suitable for drinking now or extended cellaring.

Current condition

Youthful but accessible; polished tannins, intense fruit, balanced acidity. Further aging will develop tertiary complexity.

Opus One is consistently one of Napa Valley's most age-worthy wines, benefiting from both its Bordeaux pedigree and top-tier winemaking. The 2018 vintage, from a long and even growing season, is particularly structured and promising. Professional sources frequently estimate drinking windows of 25–35 years, and even 40+ years in top vintages. As a result, this wine is far from 'past prime'—it is just beginning to reveal its full potential.

Food pairing

Grilled or roasted prime rib, dry-aged ribeye, rack of lamb, duck with berry reduction, truffled risotto, aged hard cheeses (Comté, aged Gouda), wild mushrooms, rosemary-garlic roasted vegetables.

Serving

Serving temperature

16–18°C / 61–64°F

Decant

Yes (1.5–2 hours) — Decanting softens tannins and reveals detailed aromatic layers; the wine is still youthful and closed upon opening.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Sustainable farming (cover crops, minimal pesticide use, owl boxes for rodent control), water recycling, energy-efficient winery design (LED lighting, solar panel utilization, gravity-flow winemaking). Focus on biodiversity, composting, and vineyard health. Packaging utilizes recycled glass and lighter-weight bottles.

Opus One is a leader in sustainability among Napa Valley luxury wineries, holding Napa Green and Fish Friendly Farming certifications which cover water, soil, and waste management. The winery incorporates renewable energy, efficient water use, and promotes environmental stewardship in both vineyard and winery operations. However, luxury-class heavy bottles and global distribution elevate the overall carbon footprint compared to more localized or minimalist producers. No organic or biodynamic certification, but environmental efforts are robust. Score is slightly reduced for bottle weight and lack of organic certification.