Opus One 2005

Professional Ratings

• 96 Decanter
  After a slow-ripening season, the wine is now showing lovely texture and balance.
• 95 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  Tasted twice Deep garnet-purple colour. The nose begins a little mute with a suggestion of freshly crushed blackberries and blackcurrants, forest floor, cinnamon and a touch of loam. The palate is wonderfully concentrated with layers of macerated blackberry, cloves, vanilla and dark chocolate. A medium+ level of acidity and medium to firm fine and ripe tannins give excellent structure to the richness of flavours. Very long finish. Drink now to 2030. Tasted April 2009.
• 95 Jeb Dunnuck

  From a cooler vintage, the 2005 Opus One is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% each of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, with the final 1% Malbec brought up, I believe, in mostly new French oak. It’s another beautifully perfumed wine that’s firing on all cylinders today and offers mature dark fruits, sappy tobacco, chocolate, and abundant minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it’s fully mature yet still has good mid-palate depth, noticeable tannins, and a great finish. I’d certainly be thrilled to drink a bottle.

• 90 Wine Spectator
  Bordeaux-like in its structure and balance, showing cedary oak, dusty berry, dried currant and mineral, with hints of herb and sage. The flavors firm up on the finish, and this is rich and intense without being heavy. Needs decanting. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Best from 2009 through 2015. 22,000 cases made.