Opus One 1983 Robert Mondavi

Opus One: The Perfect Harmony Between Napa Valley and Bordeaux

Opus One is one of the most prestigious and iconic wines in the world, born from the extraordinary collaboration between two wine legends: Robert Mondavi, a pioneer of Napa Valley, and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, renowned for his Château Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux. This wine represents the fusion of Bordeaux’s winemaking elegance and the power of the Californian terroir, embodying an ideal of oenological perfection.

History and Philosophy

The story of Opus One began in 1979 when Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild joined forces to create a wine that combined the best of both worlds. Their goal was clear: to produce a wine of extraordinary quality that reflected both Bordeaux’s winemaking art and Napa Valley’s unique potential. In 1984, the first two vintages were introduced to great acclaim, marking the beginning of a legend that continues to grow. Opus One’s philosophy is rooted in a meticulous approach to viticulture and winemaking, with an almost obsessive attention to detail, from the vineyard to the bottle.

Grape Composition

Opus One is a classic Bordeaux-style blend, primarily based on Cabernet Sauvignon, with the addition of other noble grape varieties to enhance its complexity and elegance. The composition varies slightly with each vintage but generally includes:

• Cabernet Sauvignon (about 80%): Provides structure, power, and aging potential.
• Merlot: Adds softness and roundness.
• Cabernet Franc: Contributes aromatic elegance and delicate floral notes.
• Petit Verdot: Enhances color depth and spicy nuances.
• Malbec: Completes the blend with fruity undertones and a smooth texture.

Winemaking and Aging

Opus One is crafted with the utmost care and precision. After a rigorous grape selection, alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks to preserve aromatic purity and ensure gentle tannin extraction. Malolactic fermentation occurs in French oak barrels, adding roundness and complexity to the wine.

Aging is a crucial stage: Opus One matures for approximately 18-20 months in 100% new French oak barrels, a process that imparts elegance, structure, and toasted aromas. After bottling, the wine rests for at least another year in the estate’s cellars, completing its maturation journey before release.

Tasting Notes

Opus One is a wine of extraordinary complexity and elegance, capable of evolving beautifully over time.

Color: Deep ruby red with violet reflections, indicative of great concentration and aging potential.

Nose: The bouquet is intense and layered, with notes of ripe black fruits such as blackberry, cassis, and cherry, accompanied by elegant hints of tobacco, dark chocolate, sweet spices, and a delicate touch of graphite.

Palate: On the palate, it is opulent yet harmonious, with a velvety tannic structure and perfectly balanced acidity. Flavors of dark fruit blend with nuances of vanilla, roasted coffee, and subtle minerality, leading to a long, profound, and persistent finish.

Food Pairings

Thanks to its complex and elegant structure, Opus One pairs beautifully with refined and flavorful dishes. Ideal pairings include:

• Grilled or truffle-infused beef tenderloin
• Herb-roasted lamb
• Game meats such as venison or duck
• Aged, hard cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano

Serving Temperature

To fully appreciate its nuances, it is recommended to serve Opus One at a temperature of 16-18°C (60-64°F). Decanting for at least one hour before serving allows the wine to express its full aromatic complexity.

Alcohol Content

Opus One has an alcohol content of approximately 14.5%, seamlessly integrated into the wine’s rich and balanced structure.

Conclusion

Opus One is more than just a wine—it is a sensory experience that tells the story of two worlds and two visions. Each bottle reflects an unwavering commitment to quality and uncompromising winemaking artistry. A symbol of luxury and refinement, it is a wine destined to leave an indelible mark on those who taste it.

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Mondavi Winery: The Icon of California Wine.

Robert Mondavi Winery is more than just a winery: it is the symbol of a dream come true. Founded in 1966 by Robert Mondavi in the heart of Napa Valley, this winery has revolutionized the California wine scene with the goal of creating world-class wines that rival the great European classics. The son of Italian immigrants, Robert Mondavi had a clear vision: to combine innovation with tradition, enhancing the potential of California’s terroir.

From the beginning, the wiRobert nery took a pioneering approach to winemaking. Robert Mondavi introduced modern techniques such as fermentation in French oak barrels and temperature control during the fermentation process, cutting-edge practices for the time. However, at the heart of it all remained a deep respect for nature and terroir. Today, this philosophy is still alive and continues under the leadership of a team that carries on the founder’s legacy with an unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability.

Among the most celebrated wines produced by the winery are Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve and Fumé Blanc. The Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerful and structured wine with deep aromas of blackberry, cassis, tobacco and sweet spices, capable of aging beautifully over time. Fumé Blanc, on the other hand, is the elegant and refined interpretation of Sauvignon Blanc: fresh, aromatic and with a slight smoky note that has made its name famous. In addition to these, the winery produces creamy, enveloping Chardonnays and delicate, expressive Pinot Noirs, always aiming to best represent the essence of Napa Valley.

Winemaking processes are carried out with the utmost care and attention. Fermentation takes place with selected yeasts to preserve aromatic integrity, while aging, for the high-end wines, takes place in French oak barrels for 18 to 22 months. This choice gives the wines extraordinary complexity and a silky texture that makes them unique and instantly recognizable. Each bottle is then bottled without invasive filtration, thus keeping the wine’s personality and authenticity intact.

Robert Mondavi’s wines are versatile and lend themselves to numerous food pairings. The Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect with grilled red meats, braised meats and aged cheeses, while the Fumé Blanc pairs beautifully with fish dishes, shellfish and refined salads. To fully appreciate its qualities, Cabernet Sauvignon should be served at a temperature of 16-18°C, perhaps after light decanting, and Fumé Blanc at 10-12°C to enhance its freshness.

With alcohol content ranging from 13.5 percent to 15 percent, Robert Mondavi Winery’s wines offer a perfect balance of intensity and finesse, demonstrating how innovation can coexist harmoniously with tradition. Each sip tells a story of passion, determination and love for the land, making each bottle a small masterpiece.

Robert Mondavi Winery is not only an icon of California wine, but a true tribute to the vision of a man who was able to transform Napa Valley into one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. Each bottle encapsulates Robert Mondavi’s legacy and ongoing commitment to producing extraordinary wines that excite and leave an indelible mark on the hearts of those who taste them