1996 Opus...opening right now

[awbrig]

Ive had a tough week - and its not even over yet - darting children to different day cares and lots of other time consuming stressful things...and Im treating myself.

I have just had my first sip of 96 Opus One and its not even 5PM here yet...It seems like it should open up a lot more so Im going to let this glass sit a while in my Riedel Bordeux before continuing on...beautiful purple color though...I'll review it in more depth after it airs out...

Edited January 9, 2003 by awbrig (log)

[ivan]

I can be there in 7 hours. Six if the traffic's not too bad. Should be opened up by then.

[awbrig]

if you can make it Ill go out and get another bottle!

Update: Couldnt wait till it opened up..could you?

On the bottom of the second glass, and drinking with a Ranalli's thin crust pepperoni and sausage thin crust. Yes I know it would go better with a rare filet w bernaise but hey you do what you do.

Cheers. Im also taking pics of my Opus - Pizza combo!

Edited January 9, 2003 by awbrig (log)

[ivan]

I might be revealing something about myself that is best left hidden, but if I were to choose a savory food to accompany a remarkable wine, and my choice was between steak with bernaise and a good pizza, I'd choose the pizza.

[Varmint]

Bastard. I'll be drinking a beer the moment I get home, however.

I did just get a 1988 Henriot Cuvée des Enchanteleurs as a gift from one of my partners, so I'll be enjoying that soon!

[Beachfan]

So, did you love it?

1996 Opus was so much better than any vintage since, even though most wineries did better in 97.

[Wilfrid]

Opus One isn't my first choice among wines in that price category, but I came across a $200 bottle of the 1998 in a restaurant last week. So we drank it. Seems like a bargain, or am I deluded?

I'm sure it had a lot more to give with age, but it was not unpleasant.

[GordonCooks]

Opus One isn't my first choice among wines in that price category, but I came across a $200 bottle of the 1998 in a restaurant last week.  So we drank it.  Seems like a bargain, or am I deluded?

I'm sure it had a lot more to give with age, but it was not unpleasant.

"Not unpleasant" is not what I want from a $ 200.00 bottle

[Wilfrid]

It's not what I want from life, but there you go.

[GordonCooks]

What would your comparable choices have been in that price point ?

[Wilfrid]

In this particular restaurant, nothing even close. I was amazed they had it. I believe I've seen recent vintages of Opus One around that price retail, so I think I was onto a good thing (assuming one had the two hundred bucks and wanted to drink it).

[GordonCooks]

In this particular restaurant, nothing even close.  I was amazed they had it.  I believe I've seen recent vintages of Opus One around that price retail, so I think I was onto a good thing (assuming one had the two hundred bucks and wanted to drink it).

Given those particulars - Bravo, excellent choice !

[porkpa]

In relative terms, a lot of the better California 1998 cabs are becoming good, or at least better values. I have noticed a lot of significant discounting on these wines. Perhaps a combination of the weaker economy, full shelves and the influx of the 1999s, 2000s and even some of the 2001 vintage have contributed to some of this discounting. Although it is far from a superior vintage, 1998 is now considered to be not as ordinary as first thought. While it certainly isn't 1994 or 1997, it generally isn't all that bad. A wise shopper can probably do some good shopping if he looks around.

Porkpa

[Wilfrid]

Given those particulars - Bravo, excellent choice !

[awbrig]

So, anyway, these are the pics from when at the beginning of this thread I enjoyed a nice bottle of 96 Opus with Ranalli's pizza.

Edited January 28, 2003 by awbrig (log)

[Wilfrid]

Lest anyone scoff, I confess my 1998 bottle washed down some nicely fried calves' brains.

[Stone]

Can someone explain what in Opus One differs from regular Mondavi? Are they different types of grapes? Grown in different places? Handled differently? Aged differently?

[Wilfrid]

It's a blend rather than a straight cabernet sauvignon, and it's a collaboration with Rothschild. The proprtions of the blend vary from vintage to vintage; not sure if the varietals do. All explained here, no doubt.

[Stone]

So, they're blending great French wine in with o.k. Napa wine?

[Wilfrid]

Yes of course, what else. And then they shake it all up so no-one can tell the difference.