Careful grape selection, hand harvesting, small-lot fermentations, oak barrel aging, and blending are standard practices used to craft complex and balanced wines. Winemakers in Oakville employ various traditional and modern winemaking techniques to ensure the highest quality wines. Prominent names like Robert Mondavi Winery, Opus One, Far Niente, Screaming Eagle, and Harlan Estate have put Oakville on the world wine map. Oakville is home to some of the most prestigious and iconic wineries in Napa Valley. The Napa River runs through the area, further enriching the soils with sediment deposits. The region features a mix of volcanic, alluvial, and sedimentary soils that offer distinct characteristics to the grapes. The diverse soils add to the complexity of the wines produced. The region’s proximity to San Pablo Bay allows for morning fog, which provides natural cooling, making it ideal for slow grape ripening and flavour development. Oakville benefits from a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny days and cool nights. However, you can also find other Bordeaux varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, as well as some white wine grapes like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The primary grape variety is Cabernet Sauvignon, which thrives in the region’s warm climate and well-drained soils. The favourable climate, diverse soil types, and skilled winemaking practices have contributed to Oakville’s reputation as a top wine-producing area. It is considered one of the premier appellations for producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Oakville is a renowned wine region in the heart of Napa Valley, California, USA. It differs from Opus One in that it is a non-vintage wine, crafted from the fruit of several vintages. A second wine, Overture, is also produced. Like a lot of top Classified Growth Bordeaux, Opus One undergoes ageing in new French oak barrels for around a year and a half. Opus One itself is a red Bordeaux blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. There are two wines produced at Opus One. There are four estate-owned vineyards, including considerable holdings in the prestigious To Kalon vineyard. It is located in the Oakville sub-region of California’s Napa Valley. The ambitious pair created Opus One in 1978, the first vintage following in 1979. It was founded as a joint venture between two leading wine producers: Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the owner of Château Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, Bordeaux and Robert Mondavi, one of the most influential figures in Californian wine history. Opus One is among California’s leading wine estates. So wonderful to taste now, but better after 2026 The quality of tannin is exquisite with wonderful polish and refinement. Fresh herbs, such as bay leaf and lemon grass highlight the dark fruit. It’s full-bodied, yet ever so balanced and refined, with super fine tannins that last for minutes. James Suckling, (February 2022)Įxtremely perfumed and floral with lavender, lilacs and violets to the sweet, ripe berries, such as blackberries and blackcurrants. So wonderful to taste now, but better after 2026. Jancis Robinson MW, (August 2021) Read moreĮxtremely perfumed and floral with lavender, lilacs and violets to the sweet, ripe berries, such as blackberries and blackcurrants. Quite bordelais but so much more accessible. Tangy freshness on the finish – one can only guess at the number of sessions in the tasting room that went into this blend! (Interesting to see more Petit Verdot than Merlot or Cabernet Franc.) Some delicacy, which I'm sure was the aim. As though from a ripe Bordeaux vintage but then the tannins are so much riper than on most red bordeaux. 18-day maceration with 80% ambient yeast, followed by 17 months in 100% new French oak.ĭeep, lustrous crimson – with a pale rim! Nose of warmth and ripeness but not heaviness. Idyllic growing conditions.' 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec. A little sweeter than the Monte Bello 2011 tasted alongside initially but it finishes dry and appetising – and definitely has a bordeaux-like structure.
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