90-94 / 100
Noncontractual photograph
Vintage | Wine 1994 |
Region | Napa Valley |
Appellation | Napa Valley |
Colour | Red |
Volume | 0.75 l |
Country | USA - California |
Château | Domaine Opus One |
Country | USA - California |
Saint Emilion
Saint Emilion
Pomerol
Saint Estèphe
Saint Emilion
CHÂTEAU LEOVILLE LAS CASES Magnum 1994
Saint Julien
Pessac Leognan
Pomerol
Pauillac
This is an impressive effort from Opus One. The wine, a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, and 1% Malbec, possesses a dark rubypurple color, followed by a generous, complex nose of lead pencil, toasty oak, violets, and black currants. In the mouth, there is a beautiful texture, soft, generous, low acid, full-bodied richness, and a stunningly proportioned, rich, intense finish. The influence of 18 months in new French oak casks gives the wine a subtle oaky note in addition to giving it excellent delineation.
Heaven knows, or perhaps the winemaker does, what the Malbec adds. Good, deep, impressive appearance; Bordeaux-like cedar nose, sweet, very scented; a powerhouse, far too immature even to taste. Overall dry, crisp, fruit dominany, long trajectory. I presume a long life.