Opus One Napa Valley Red Wine – Napa's Iconic Bordeaux-Style Masterpiece

Updated -> February 2026

Opus One Napa Valley Red Wine stands as one of the most celebrated wines produced in America. Born from the historic 1979 partnership between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Opus One merges Napa Valley power with Bordeaux refinement. This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend from the famed Oakville bench delivers layers of dark fruit, violets, and fine-grained tannins with remarkable aging potential. At $529.99, it represents the pinnacle of California winemaking. Available at Bel Pre Beer & Wine in Silver Spring, MD.

Introduction

Opus One Napa Valley Red Wine occupies a singular position in American winemaking. When it debuted in the early 1980s, no California wine had attempted what Opus One set out to achieve: a true first-growth-quality Bordeaux blend made entirely from Napa Valley fruit. The collaboration between Robert Mondavi, the godfather of modern Napa Valley, and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the visionary behind Chateau Mouton Rothschild, was unprecedented. Two winemaking traditions, separated by an ocean, merged into one wine that redefined what California could produce.

Decades later, Opus One continues to deliver on that founding promise. The wine is crafted from estate vineyards on the Oakville bench, one of the most prized stretches of vineyard land in the world. Each vintage reflects both the power of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and the structured elegance that defines great Bordeaux. At $529.99, this is a wine for moments that matter and a bottle that commands attention from the first pour to the final sip.

The Mondavi-Rothschild Partnership

The story behind Opus One is as compelling as the wine itself:

• 1970 Meeting: Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild first met in Hawaii. Both recognized a shared ambition: proving the New World could produce wine equal to the finest Bordeaux estates.
• 1979 First Vintage: The first Opus One was produced in 1979, though not released until 1984. Initial vintages were made at the Robert Mondavi Winery while the dedicated estate was planned.
• 1991 Estate Completion: The striking Opus One winery in Oakville was completed, designed to reflect the marriage of two cultures with architecture blending European classicism and California modernism.
• Equal Partnership: Opus One was structured as a true 50/50 joint venture. Winemaking decisions required consensus between the French and American teams, ensuring neither tradition dominated.
• Continuing Legacy: Constellation Brands (which acquired Mondavi's interests) and Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA continue the partnership, maintaining the original vision.

Oakville Terroir

Oakville sits at the heart of Napa Valley, and the specific vineyard sites contribute enormously to the wine's character:

• Oakville Bench: The estate occupies prime land on the western Oakville bench, where alluvial soils from the Mayacamas Mountains create ideal drainage and mineral content for Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Climate: Warm daytime temperatures ripen grapes fully, paired with cool evening air drawn through the Petaluma Gap from the Pacific. This diurnal shift preserves acidity and freshness.
• Soil Diversity: Multiple soil types across the estate's parcels, from gravel-rich alluvial fans to clay-based sections, allow the winemaking team to source different characteristics from different blocks.
• Neighbors: Opus One shares the Oakville neighborhood with Harlan Estate, Screaming Eagle, and To Kalon Vineyard—widely regarded as the finest Cabernet Sauvignon terroir in North America.
• Sustainable Farming: The estate practices organic and biodynamic farming principles, treating each vineyard block as a unique expression of the land.

Grape Composition and Blend

Opus One follows the Bordeaux blending tradition, using five permitted grape varieties in proportions that shift with each vintage:

• Cabernet Sauvignon (Dominant): Typically comprising 75-85% of the blend, Cabernet Sauvignon provides the structural backbone, dark fruit intensity, and aging potential. The Oakville terroir produces Cabernet with exceptional depth and concentration.
• Merlot: Usually 5-15% of the blend, Merlot adds mid-palate roundness, plum fruit, and softer tannins that make the wine more approachable in its youth.
• Cabernet Franc: Contributing aromatic complexity, Cabernet Franc brings floral notes, herbal nuance, and a distinctive perfume that lifts the blend.
• Petit Verdot: Used in small percentages for color intensity, spice notes, and tannic structure. Petit Verdot adds the finishing touches of complexity.
• Malbec: The smallest component, Malbec contributes additional color, flesh, and a softening influence on the mid-palate.

The final blend is determined each vintage through extensive tasting trials. This flexibility is what makes Opus One a blend rather than a varietal wine, allowing consistency across vastly different growing seasons.

Winemaking Philosophy

The winemaking at Opus One reflects its dual heritage, combining Bordeaux precision with Napa Valley ambition:

• Parcel-by-Parcel Vinification: Each vineyard block is harvested and fermented separately. This allows the winemaking team to understand the character of each parcel before blending decisions are made.
• Gentle Extraction: Fermentation emphasizes gentle extraction of color and tannin rather than aggressive punch-downs. The goal is silky tannins, not brute force.
• French Oak Aging: The wine ages in new French oak barrels for approximately 18 months. The oak integrates slowly, adding vanilla, cedar, and spice without overwhelming the fruit.
• Gravity-Flow Design: The winery uses gravity rather than pumps to move wine, reducing oxidation and preserving delicate aromatics throughout the process.
• Extended Bottle Aging: Opus One is held in bottle at the estate before release, ensuring the wine has integrated sufficiently to show well upon opening.

Tasting Notes

Opus One Napa Valley Red Wine delivers extraordinary depth and refinement:

Appearance: Deep garnet-ruby with brilliant clarity. Dense at the core, fading to a violet-crimson rim that suggests both youth and concentration.

Aroma: The nose opens with blackcurrant, black cherry, and ripe plum. Behind the fruit, layers of complexity emerge: violets, graphite, dark chocolate, espresso, and dried sage. With time in the glass, cedar and vanilla from oak aging become more prominent, along with a mineral undertone from the Oakville terroir.

Palate: The entry is polished and immediate, with blackcurrant and blackberry fruit that fills the mouth without heaviness. The tannins are remarkably fine-grained, creating a silky texture that defines great Opus One vintages. Mid-palate, dark chocolate and mocha interweave with the fruit, and acidity maintains freshness and lift.

Finish: Long, persistent, and evolving. Dark fruit recedes gradually, leaving graphite, cedar, and mineral quality that lingers well over a minute. Dry but not austere, with fine tannins that suggest significant aging potential.

Aging Potential and Cellaring

• Drinking Window: While Opus One is crafted to be enjoyable upon release, the wine rewards patience. Most vintages drink well from 5-25 years after the vintage date, with the best years capable of evolving for 30 years or more.
• Cellar Conditions: Store at 55 degrees Fahrenheit with 70% humidity. Consistent temperature is more important than hitting the exact number. Avoid temperature swings above all else.
• Bottle Position: Store on its side to keep the cork moist. A dried-out cork will allow oxygen ingress that damages the wine over time.
• Evolution: Young Opus One emphasizes primary fruit and oak influence. With age, the fruit deepens, tannins soften, and tertiary notes of leather, tobacco, earth, and dried flowers develop.
• Decanting: Young bottles benefit from 1-2 hours of decanting. Older bottles (15+ years) may need only 30 minutes, or can be enjoyed from the bottle as aromatics are already developed.

Food Pairings

• Prime Steak: A perfectly grilled ribeye or filet mignon is the classic pairing. The wine's tannins cut through the fat while the dark fruit complements the caramelized crust. Keep seasoning simple—salt, pepper, and perhaps rosemary.
• Braised Short Ribs: Slow-cooked beef with rich, reduced sauces mirrors the wine's depth and complexity. The gelatin-rich meat creates a textural harmony with the silky tannins.
• Rack of Lamb: Herb-crusted lamb is a Bordeaux-classic pairing that works beautifully with Opus One. The wine's herbal undertones echo the rosemary and thyme on the lamb.
• Aged Hard Cheeses: Parmigiano-Reggiano, aged Gruyere, and Manchego provide umami depth that elevates the wine's savory qualities.
• Mushroom Dishes: Truffle risotto, porcini-dusted dishes, and mushroom-based sauces connect with the wine's earthy complexity, especially in bottles with some age.

Perfect Occasions

• Anniversary Dinners: Few wines carry the symbolic weight of Opus One. Opening a bottle for a milestone anniversary adds gravity and celebration to the evening.
• Business Entertaining: In professional settings where wine choice reflects taste and discernment, Opus One is immediately recognized and respected. It signals sophistication without ostentation.
• Holiday Gatherings: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve dinners are elevated by a bottle that everyone at the table can appreciate, from casual drinkers to serious collectors.
• Gift Giving: As a gift for a wine lover, collector, or someone celebrating a significant achievement, Opus One carries meaning beyond its monetary value.
• Personal Milestones: Promotions, retirements, births, and other life-changing moments deserve a wine that matches their significance.

Notable Vintages

• 2016 Vintage: Widely regarded as outstanding, 2016 delivered ideal growing conditions in Napa Valley. Moderate temperatures produced balanced fruit with excellent structure and aging potential. This vintage combines power with precision.
• 2015 Vintage: A drought year that produced concentrated, powerful wines. Lower yields meant intense flavor but also a richer, more opulent style.
• 2013 Vintage: Another stellar year for Napa Cabernet. Warm and even growing conditions produced wines with deep color, ripe tannins, and immediate appeal.
• 2010 Vintage: A cooler year that produced more restrained, classically structured wines. These bottles reward patience and are developing beautifully in the cellar.
• 2001 Vintage: Now fully mature, the 2001 shows what Opus One becomes with age: complex, layered, with tertiary notes of tobacco and leather alongside still-present dark fruit.

How It Compares

• vs. Chateau Mouton Rothschild: Opus One's Bordeaux sibling is more structured and austere in youth, with a longer aging arc. Opus One tends toward richer fruit and silkier texture, reflecting its Napa Valley origins.
• vs. Dominus Estate: Another Napa-Bordeaux crossover (Christian Moueix of Petrus), Dominus is often earthier and more restrained. Opus One is more overtly generous and fruit-forward.
• vs. Screaming Eagle: Screaming Eagle emphasizes pure Cabernet Sauvignon power from a single vineyard. Opus One offers more complexity through its multi-variety blend and tends toward a more polished style.
• vs. Joseph Phelps Insignia: Insignia is another iconic Napa Bordeaux blend at a lower price point. Opus One typically shows more refinement and cellar-worthy structure, though Insignia offers exceptional value in the luxury tier.
• vs. Harlan Estate: Both are Oakville icons. Harlan tends toward greater concentration and intensity, while Opus One emphasizes balance and elegance. Different expressions of the same extraordinary terroir.

Collecting Opus One

• Investment Grade: Opus One has a strong secondary market. Exceptional vintages appreciate significantly over time, making it both a collectible and a drinkable investment.
• Vertical Collections: Building a vertical collection across multiple vintages allows you to taste how the wine evolves and how different growing seasons express themselves through the same estate.
• Provenance Matters: When purchasing older vintages, verify storage history. Properly cellared bottles are dramatically different from those stored in poor conditions.
• Second Wine: Overture by Opus One is the estate's second wine, offering a taste of the Opus One style at a more accessible price point. It blends declassified lots from multiple vintages.
• Authentication: Opus One bottles feature distinctive labeling and capsule design. Familiarize yourself with authentic packaging to avoid counterfeits in the secondary market.

Local Availability

Check stock and purchasing options below. Opus One Napa Valley Red Wine is available now at Bel Pre Beer & Wine.

Where to Buy

Purchase Opus One Napa Valley Red Wine from our online shop. Visit https://www.belprefinewine.com for curbside pickup, delivery zones, and more. Our store hours are Monday through Saturday 10am to 9pm, and Sunday 10am to 8pm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Opus One Napa Valley Red Wine is more than a bottle of wine. It is a testament to what happens when two of the world's greatest winemaking traditions collaborate without compromise. From the Oakville estate to the glass, every detail reflects the ambition of its founders and the dedication of the team that continues their legacy.

At $529.99, Opus One is an investment in quality and experience. Whether you are celebrating a milestone, building a collection, or simply want to taste one of the finest wines California has ever produced, this bottle delivers at every level. The structure, the depth, the elegance—it all comes together in a wine that earns its iconic reputation with every vintage.

Visit Bel Pre Beer & Wine at 2251 Bel Pre Road in Silver Spring, MD to purchase your bottle today. Shop online at belprefinewine.com or stop by during store hours: Monday through Saturday 10am to 9pm, Sunday 10am to 8pm.