1989 Opus One

Community Tasting Notes (33) Avg Score: 91.0 points

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  12/31/2020 - Philip67 Likes this wine: 93 Points

  In some ways this is classic Bordeaux, though the structure is lighter and hence it has not aged as well a Bordeaux of similar age. Mainly tertiary now, mainly old leather notes, along with Autumn forest floor. However behind there is a delicate fruit of sweet cassis and red fruit, the sweetness hints at its Californian origin. The structural elements of tannin and acidity are both light, as is the body. As I have found with many older wines this puts on weight with time, so don't be afraid to decant and leave for a few hours. There is good complexity and a persistent finish. Drink now as the fruit and structure are delicate.

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  6/10/2020 - Bert’s Stache Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Still going strong! Very nice Bordeaux blend (97% Cab, 1% Cab Franc, & 2% Merlot). Wine was decanted for approximately 45 minutes. Although the cork failed while opening, the wine depicted a bright ruby red color with no browning around the outer edges. Well balanced wine, elegant with delicate red fruit flavors. Smooth but medium bodied, it had a very nice finish. Thoroughly enjoyed.

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  6/6/2020 - forceberry wrote: 89 Points

  13% alcohol.
  
  Developed, dark brick-red color with a pale orange rim. Intense, tertiary nose with mature aromas of wizened blackcurrants, some raisiny notes, a little bit of cheese rind, light savory notes of beef jerky, autumnal hints of damp leaves and earthy mushrooms and a touch of hoi sin. The nose is starting to be quite dominated by developed, non-fruity aromas. The wine is ripe, quite full-bodied and wonderfully silky on the palate with evolved, tertiary flavors of meaty umami wizened blackcurrants, some sweet figgy fruit, light raisiny notes, a little bit of savory wodd spice, a hint of soy sauce and a touch of earthy sous-bois. The mouthfeel is not only quite silky but also rather soft with the medium-plus tannins and textural medium tannins that slowly pile up on the gums. The finish s ripe, round and somewhat sweet-toned with flavors of raisiny dark fruit, some soy sauce, light savory notes of meaty umami, a little bit of sour cherry bitterness and a hint of dried dates.
  
  A tasty and silky smooth but also rather soft and quite tertiary vintage of Opus One. Obviously has been on its plateau of maturity for some while and most likely has started to go downhill a short while ago. Still very enjoyable and harmonious, but is more about those savory non-fruit flavors than pure fruit flavors typical of Napa. Lacking a bit on structure, due to its relatively modest acidity and fully resolved tannins. Good stuff, but nothing truly memorable. Best to drink sooner rather than later. Feels pretty overpriced for the quality at 220€.

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  5/3/2020 - jillperris@msn.com Likes this wine:

  Past its prime but still delicious

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  10/31/2019 - Axelpeter wrote: 93 Points

  Carli60) Intensität und Frucht

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