Winemaker Notes
Blend Percentage: Cabernet Sauvignon 89%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Merlot 3%
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Ripe and succulent, this still has some plumpness to its core, with red currant, plum and cherry notes woven tightly together, flanked with singed apple wood and sandalwood notes, while racy sanguine and iron threads run underneath. Rock solid.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 1992 Opus One, a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot, offers a beautiful dark ruby/purple color, a big, spicy nose of cassis, lead pencil, and smoky oak, round, full-bodied, broad, fat flavors crammed with black fruits, soft tannin, low acidity, and a fleshy, full-bodied finish. This rich wine confirms just how fine these wines have become since the 1990 vintage.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.