Opus One (corroded capsule) 1983 Front Bottle Shot
Opus One (corroded capsule) 1983 Front Bottle Shot Opus One (corroded capsule) 1983 Front Label

Winemaker Notes

Rains in August were followed by dry, windy weather in September that protected Napa Valley's red varietals from exposure to rot. A greatly reduced crop level produced lean, well-balanced wines for medium-term aging.

The 1983 vintage produced an Opus One that is especially elegant and complex. It is a wine of concentration and depth which displays elements of cedar, cassis, and mint in the nose and on the palate.

Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot

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.

AZY150563_1983 Item# 150563