Nose
the 2006 Opus One shows aromas of fresh cut roses, licorice, dark chocolate, blackberry pie, smoked bacon and sassafras.
Palate
Simultaneously silky and dense on the palate, this unfined wine offers flavors of cassis, espresso and zesty black cherry with a persistently smooth yet expansive finish.
Growing Conditions
The estate vineyards of Opus One, comprised of 4 parcels, sit in the western portion of the famed Oakville AVA. Two parcels, totaling 100 acres, are within the renowned To Kalon Vineyard. These are complemented by the combined 70 acres of the Ballestra and River parcels, which envelop the winery. In the vineyards, hand-harvesting and other traditional approaches are taken wherever they work best. When modern techniques benefit the winegrowing process, they are researched, evaluated and integrated into practice.
The vintage of 2006 saw the lowest average maximum temperature in twenty-five growing seasons. Of 50 inches of rain measured in Opus One’s vineyards that year, all but a fraction fell before bud break. Judicious pruning and a deft use of cover crops resulted in well-balanced vine vigor and beneficial water stress.
Harvest
Begun on September 27th and concluded on November 1st, the crush of 2006 included 18 night harvests before the onset of heavy autumn rains.
Winemaking
Skin Contact: 26 days
Aging
Barrel Aging: 17 months in new French oak
Appearance
A saturated black-purple.
