Special Note: Interested in splitting up the case and buying just 1 or 2 bottles? Contact us and we may oblige.
Ratings & Tasting Notes:
1979:
95 points Jane Anson
Review Date: 09/2019
At 40 years old, the colour here is still exceptionally dark, surprisingly so. On the palate, the more expected signs of evolution are certainly there in the form of incense, soft truffle and forest floor notes, but there is a richness to the spine, and this was one of the most enjoyable wines of the tasting. It held up over five hours in the glass, gaining in layers. Remarkable when you think this was the first ever vintage, made in a far more classic Bordeaux-type winemaking style than would be typical today, with just 10 days of skin contact to extract colour and tannins. Helped by the fact that 1979 was a perfect growing season until rains arrived in September during harvest. A clear sign that something special was underway. (for Decanter)
1980:
100 points Decanter
Review Date: 05/2019
One of the coolest seasons on record, the acidity has kept this extraordinary wine so young and vibrant, with unbeatable elegance and class – a triumph. (SS)
Cult Wines International Notes:
The Dawn of a Legend: The 1979 & 1980 Inaugural Opus One Mixed Case
This exceptional mixed case represents the literal birth of America’s first ultra-premium “cult” wine. In 1984, when Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi finally unveiled their collaborative masterpiece to the world, they didn’t just release one vintage—they made history by releasing the 1979 and 1980 vintages simultaneously in a specially designed, mixed inaugural case. To hold an intact, original release of this iconic duo is to possess the genesis of Napa Valley’s modern luxury era.
Why This Case Is Legendary:
The Franco-American Alliance: This case embodies the historic handshake between Old World royalty and New World defiance. It was a partnership that many in Bordeaux initially mocked, but it permanently altered the global landscape of fine wine, proving Napa could compete at the highest first-growth levels.
The Ultimate Rarity: While finding a single bottle of either vintage is a feat, an intact, original mixed case is an absolute “unicorn.” It is a time capsule from a moment when the joint venture didn’t even have a physical winery built yet—the juice was quietly cradled and blended inside Mondavi’s cellars.
A Masterclass in Contrast: The 1979 is a rare, low-yielding vintage characterized by its classic, elegant structure, seamless acidity, and traditional Bordeaux-style longevity.
The 1980 is a powerhouse “miracle vintage” that came roaring back after a cold summer, delivering an opulent, rich, and dense Napa profile.
Watch the video below to see Alicia opening this case for the first time in 40 years.
Bottle Size:
OWC CASE – Each bottle is 750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Outstanding condition, as shown. Watch the video below. We removed only 1 bottle from 1979 to verify the fill level and condition inside the paper wrapping. The other 5 bottles have remained untouched.
