Ratings & Tasting Notes:

96 points Decanter

Displaying a core of late-summer red and dark berries, this vintage surprises with its sculpted, precise elegance despite the warm growing season. The palate is defined by a dense texture, excellent grip, and an impressively powerful, supportive structure of fine-grained tannins. Seductive floral aromatics blossom as it opens up, proving that “even in a hot vintage like 2017, Opus can deliver balance”. Jane Anson, August 2020

95 points Wine Advocate

A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.5% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4.5% Merlot, and 1% Malbec, this medium- to deep garnet-purple colored wine builds beautifully on the nose. It reveals rich layers of baked black cherries, warm cassis, and savory accents of licorice, tapenade, and wild sage. The medium-bodied palate remains vibrant and exceptionally lively, showing “bags of juicy raspberry and cassis-laced fruit and a refreshing line”. Lisa Perrotti-Brown, October 2019

95 points James Suckling

Extremely expressive and aromatic, the bouquet is loaded with fresh currant notes, mint, and exotic spices. The medium-to full-bodied palate is wonderfully round and savory, anchored by smooth, juicy tannins that reveal subtle inflections of citrus underneath. It represents a highly successful, balanced effort that shows up as “bright, fresh and delicious. Drink or hold.” James Suckling, February 2020

Cult Wines International Notes:

Opus One remains the ultimate, historic monument to transatlantic collaboration, born from the groundbreaking 1978 vision of Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Napa Valley pioneer Robert Mondavi. Based in the heart of Oakville, this legendary estate is globally revered for applying rigorous, first-growth Bordeaux precision to the sun-drenched, world-class terroir of Napa Valley. Operating with an uncompromising commitment to quality, winemaker Michael Silacci guides a meticulously orchestrated gravity-flow cellar and multi-faceted block blending process to build the estate’s signature profile. The 2017 release stands as a brilliant modern testament to this mastery, consisting of an elegant blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 1% Malbec, all matured flawlessly for 17 months in 100% new French oak to achieve an exceptional balance of structure and luxury.

The 2017 growing season in Oakville was a dramatic narrative of intense climatic shifts, resulting in an early, highly compressed harvest that demanded flawless precision in the vineyard. Following a wet winter that emphatically ended a five-year drought, abundant early rains provided deep soil moisture but delayed budbreak and bloom by two weeks. A warm summer followed, punctuated by extreme heat spikes that accelerated ripening in late August. To secure peak freshness, the seasoned Opus One vineyard team executed a rapid, meticulous picking schedule starting on September 5th. This decisive strategy proved legendary; the winery successfully harvested 91% of its fruit before the historic Northern California wildfires ignited on October 8th, entirely eliminating any threat of smoke taint. The 2017 Opus One emerged from this turbulent season as a triumphant, beautifully balanced masterpiece, marrying a rich bouquet of black cassis, stems of roses, and cocoa powder with plush, satin-textured tannins.