Winemaker Notes
The 2002 vintage in Oakville saw only one significant rainfall in January, with most rains falling in December of the prior year. Light precipitation and moderate temperatures in the spring boosted soil moisture and prompted a good fruit set with high berry counts in individual clusters. Opus One thinned these clusters to the lowest per-acre yield in a decade, balancing the fruit with its canopy of leaves while encouraging high quality and concentration in the berries. Harvest began on September 9th with Malbec and concluded with a small lot of Cabernet Franc crushed on October 11th.
Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2002 Opus One is a clear step up over the 2001 and offers a round, lush, classic Napa style in its ripe black fruits, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and cedar pencil-like aromatics. Full-bodied on the palate, it stays nicely balanced, has ripe, supple tannins, and a great finish. If the 2001 is Bordeaux-like, this is pure Napa Valley goodness.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I tend to think that recent vintages of Opus One are even greater than vintages made during this era, but the 2002 is certainly one of the top wines Opus has produced during the early part of this century. It boasts a dense plum/purple hue along with a striking bouquet of graphite, toasty oak, creme de cassis and acacia flowers. Full-bodied, opulent and young, it offers accessibility as well as silky tannins. A thoroughly complete wine that is pure and rich, it tastes like a hypothetical blend of a great Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon married to a Bordeaux Pauillac. Bravo! It will benefit from 2-3 more years of cellaring and should keep for 20-25 thereafter.
-
Wine Spectator
Shows singed cedar, savory and earth notes up front, with the core of slightly dried red currant and cherry fruit playing a bit of catch-up. Turns sanguine and lacy, with a graceful, lingering finish. Similar to 2001, but much cleaner. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
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.