Dies ist der 2019er Jahrgang des „Proprietary Red Wine“ von Opus One, eine Bordeaux-Cuvée aus dem Napa Valley, die hauptsächlich aus Cabernet Sauvignon (78 %) besteht und mit 8 % Merlot, 7 % Petit Verdot, 6 % Cabernet Franc sowie 1 % Malbec verschnitten ist.
Im Frühjahr 2019 fielen reichlich Niederschläge, fast doppelt so viel wie im Jahresdurchschnitt; ein feuchter Winter und kühles Frühlingswetter verzögerten den Austrieb. Das Wetter war danach warm und stabil. Die Lese begann am 10. September und dauerte vier Wochen, was dem Winzer Michael Silacci eine lange, entspannte Lesezeit ermöglichte. Decanter bewertete diesen Jahrgang mit 4,5 Sternen.
Im Weinkeller durchlief der Wein eine 22-tägige Mazeration, bevor er 19 Monate lang in französischen Eichenfässern reifte, die alle neu waren. Das Ergebnis ist ein vollmundiger und zugleich eleganter Wein mit samtweichen Tanninen und frischen, konzentrierten Kernaromen, die einen langen Abgang hinterlassen.
Wird der Wein jung geöffnet, empfiehlt sich das Dekantieren. Er lässt sich am besten bis 2058 genießen.
Robert Parker (98)
Winemaker Michael Silacci commented that usually the blends are finished in January or February after the vintage. This year, with the 2019s, he was still tweaking the blend, but he did mention that this is "pretty close to the final blend."
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Opus One leaps from the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, Morello cherries, mulberries and fresh blackcurrants plus hints of licorice, wilted roses, Sichuan pepper and iron ore. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black, blue and red fruits, framed by velvety tannins and background freshness, finishing on a compelling earthy/mineral note. Tasted as a barrel sample, this is a truly magnificent Opus One in the making!
James Suckling (99)
The purity of fruit is really something else here, with currants and fresh flowers, such as violets and roses. Flower stems as well. Fantastic length and structure to the wine, with tightness and focus. Wonderful fruit. Graceful. A blend of 78% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 7% petit verdot, 6% cabernet franc and 1% malbec.
Jancis Robinson (18)
Abundant spring rains, nearly double the annual average, saturated the soil and provided ample water for the growing season. The first signs of budbreak were observed in the vineyard on 27 March, a full 15 days later than usual. This delay led to later bloom and veraison. However, warmer temperatures towards the end of summer accelerated the fruit’s development and maturity so that picking began on 10 September, a couple of days earlier than average. The harvest lasted four weeks. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec. 22-day skin contact. 19 months in new French oak.Glowing crimson. Heady, a bit like 2009 although there’s an appetising minerality on the palate.
BOW (9)
Owen Bargreen (98)
The 2019 Opus One is really coming into its own right now. This is marvelously herbal offering bay leaf tones on the nose with orange bell pepper, tar, anise and tobacco leaf. The palate is lush and round with a refined texture and great sense of tension. Creme de cassis and violets mark the palate alongside mocha and a graphite edge.
Jane Anson (99)
Juicy, balanced, succulent, and is showing exceptionally well at this point, although has a long life ahead if you can hold back. I love the 2019 vintage in Napa and Tuscany, and here it shows its grace, balance and nuance, without compromising on depth and quality of ripe black fruits studded with sage, rosemary, pencil lead, mint leaf, eucalyptus, crushed rocks. Signature Opus, expressive and joyful but with a classicism that is hard to resist. Michael Silacci winemaker, 100% new oak for ageing.
