Nose
The 1997 Opus One offers concentrated aromas of vanilla, licorice and toasty oak.
Palate
Showing supple tannins, its silky-smooth palate accompanies flavors of blackberry-cassis, clove and roasted coffee. Powerful yet harmonious, the 1997 promises a long life in the bottle.
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 sunlight in the previous year produced high fertility in the vine buds and a large crop in 1997, which Opus One thinned to one of the lowest yields in its history.
Harvest
Harvest was very early and compact, comprising just 11 days.
Winemaking
Skin Contact: 32 days
Aging
Barrel Aging: 18 months in new French oak
