Nose
A voluptuous garnet, the 2005 Opus One offers concentrated aromas of blueberry, red roses, white truffle, licorice and nutmeg.
Palate
A silky entry combines with a moderately soft mid-palate to express supple texture and a fine balance of fruit and acidity. Flavors of cassis, black olives, raspberry and dark chocolate culminate in a long and luscious 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.
Frequent spring rains through the month of May— the wettest May on record— led to a year of cool temperatures and slow ripening. Counted from the day the grape flowers bloom to the first day of harvest, the ripening period was the longest on record for Opus One’s vineyards.
Harvest
The absence of heat spells from July through October allowed a late harvest that began on September 21st and ended on November 2nd— a full month later than the preceding vintage.
Winemaking
Skin Contact; 29 days
Aging
Barrel Aging 18 months in new French oak
