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 |
Romanée Saint Vivant
Saint Emilion
Margaux
Saint Emilion
Saint Emilion
Chambertin Grand Cru
Pomerol
Schoenenbourg
Côte Rotie
Moulis
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.