Opus One 1986 Front Label
Opus One 1986 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

In 1986, still another early budbreak led to an even longer growing season than the previous year. Softer, more delicate fruit flavors resulted, with ideal levels of sugar and acid. Wines are harmonious, exquisite, and long-lived.

Blend: 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9%?Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot

Professional Ratings

  • 92

    This shows whiffs of game and even Band-Aid, backed by saddle leather, steeped red currant, bitter cherry and shaved vanilla bean notes. Fleshy and enticing in feel, with ample range. Just comes down to if you like a hint of funk in your old wines.

Opus One

Opus One

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Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.

Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.

AZY120191_1986 Item# 120191