#OPUS ONE 2004 VINTAGE TASTING NOTES FULL#

In 2005, an agreement between Baroness Phillippe de Rothschild and Constellation Brands allows Opus One to uphold operating independence in the areas of: vineyard management, sales and marketing, and administration.Īnd in 2012, there we were. purchases Robert Mondavi Corporation and with it, 50% ownership of Opus One. That same year, Constellation Brands, Inc. Michael Silacci is named the winemaker, the first winemaker that would oversee both viticulture and winemaking. That’s when the winery’s board of directors placed CEO David Pearson in charge and wholly responsible for Opus One. I didn’t even come to California until 2004. Construction of the winery is finished by 1991. In 1989, a year after Baron de Phillippe’s death, ground breaking for Opus One Winery takes place (July).

Phillippe chose the “Opus” (a musical term) because he wanted the name to have a Latin origin and be easily recognized in different romantic languages.Īs soon as 1985, Opus One became known as America’s first ultra-premium wine, establishing a category of wine priced at $50 and above per bottle. They started making the wine in 1979 and in 1984, released the 19 vintages simultaneously. It was a joint venture of Baron Phillippe de Rothschild (of Château Mouton Rothschild) and Robert Mondavi. He began to tell us the story of how the wine was born. We checked in, and then Adrian took us outside to the vineyards out front. We met our host Adrian at the front desk inside the Opus One facility. I wanted the first birthday that Andy spent with me to be extra special, and I think it was! I had to begin promoting the Robert Cray concert, the Best Western Inn at the Vines, Opus One, Far Niente, and Tarla Mediterranean Grill. I was so excited about the tasting, but I kept it to myself for as long as I could! Eventually, none of the Napa Valley trip I had lined up as a birthday present would stay a secret.

#OPUS ONE 2004 VINTAGE TASTING NOTES FULL#

A full two months from the day we were set to visit. So, even before I booked a place for us to sleep for the night, I set our tasting appointment at Opus One. I wanted to learn more about the classic wine and the history behind it. I had never tried Opus One, and I too was curious.

Of course, seeing Andy’s reaction… that curiosity and wonder…I wanted to make sure the visit happened sooner than later. Andy’s eyes widened and he promised Doug we would go there. Andy brought up Opus One and asked Doug if he thought that Opus One was worth the hype. We talked to one of the tasting room managers, Doug, at length about the area wineries and which ones were the best. Last time we visited Napa, we went to Nichelini Winery for their Rosé of Cabernet release. Helena, etc, but I wanted to choose an extra special tasting. There are literally hundreds of wineries from which to choose when you visit Napa, Oakville, Rutherford, St. I knew just the show and possibly getting a place to stay would be more than enough, but I wanted to plan some wine tastings the day of the show. Once I found out about the concert, I obtained the seats, and then immediately started planning the rest. It was tickets to a Robert Cray show at the Uptown Theatre. Our latest trip in Napa centered around a birthday present for my boyfriend Andy.

Opus one 2004 vintage tasting notes