Nose
Showing good structure and a delicate integration of French oak, the wine’s very complex nose offers scents of clove and black currant.
Palate
As in previous vintages of Opus One, the 1993 is a stylish wine marked by superior finesse and uncommon elegance.
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.
Abundant rainfall throughout the winter and spring provided favorable moisture to the vines over the growing season. The berries and the crop size were slightly smaller than average due to variable temperatures during flowering. Over the harvest, at the beginning of September, the weather was cool at night, bringing some morning fog. As a result, the fruit was able to reach maturity at an ideal pace. A mid-September warm spell brought the grapes to ripeness, prior to the Napa Valley’s normal autumn rains.
Winemaking
Skin Contact: 42 days
Aging
Barrel Aging: 18 months in new French oak
Appearance
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The 1993 Opus One presents a deep velvety red with a hint of purple.
