Opus One 2014 – Napa Valley

The nose is elegant, aromatic, subtle, beautifully built and offers a slight intensity, a beautiful grain, power as well as a beautiful depthness. It reveals notes of violet, plum and crushed wild cassis combined with slight touches of almond, fleshy ripe strawberry, cardamom, subtle touches of caramelized oak as well as subtle touches of sweet spices, a discreet hint of mocha and a very discreet hint of Sichuan pepper. The wine needs to be decanted. The palate is well-balanced, a bit aerial and offers a beautiful mineral / juicy frame, a beautiful juiciness, a beautiful delicacy, a beautiful density, a beautiful fineness of grain, a beautiful suavity, a nice freshness as well as a beautiful tension. On the palate this wine expresses fine notes of crushed blackberry, fleshy cassis and small notes of plum, fleshy raspberry associated with a subtle touch of blueberry, cornflower, juicy / crushed redcurrants as well as small touches of toasted oak, almond, subtle touches of chocolate, caramelization and a discreet / subtle hint of coffee on the finish. Tannins are fine and very slightly dusty. Good length. There are subtle hints of minerality almost saline on the aftertaste. There is a very discreet touch of Bourbon vanilla on the persistence. Gourmandise and a very beautiful suavity on the persistence / aftertaste. An outstanding wine! (2024+)