Nose
Intense aromas of blackberries, vanilla, roasted espresso and caramel.
Palate
The wine offers a resilient middle body, with seamless texture, sweet tannins, and a long, persistent 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.
Already slowed by El Niño’s winter flooding, the growing season of 1998 was the coolest Opus One has seen since 1991. With foggy mornings and moderate temperatures recorded during summer, the season extended into late October, promoting slow ripening and a very long “hang time” for Opus One’s grapes. Excellent weather in September and October made for an orderly harvest of Opus One’s five classic Bordeaux varietals.
Appearance
Supple and lush, the 1998 Opus One shows an opaque purple color.
