Mondavi - Opus One 1997

DECANTER: "Jumps out of the glass, another one that stands out among the very best in the line-up; intense, well integrated flavours, blackberry, menthol, black olive, spiced rosemary and liqourice, and a gorgeous smoked cedar oak. 4% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. This is the first vintage with all five varieties. 32 days skin contact, from a large initial crop that was thinned down to one of lowest yields to date. Harvest early and short, lasting just 11 days."

WEINWISSER: "Sehr dunkle Farbe, violette Reflexe, etwas dumpf in der Mitte. Offenes, wunderschönes Cabernet-Cassis-Bouquet, Edelhölzer, Zimtnuancen, Minze. Im Gaumen schmeichelnde, fette Tannine, Fleisch zeigend, nachhaltiges Finish. Toller, wunderschön gereifter Opus."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, the 1997 Opus One sashays out with alluring notes of kirsch, dried raspberries, and rose oil giving way to nuances of underbrush, graphite, and dried thyme. The medium to full-bodied palate is coated with a seductively rich mid-palate of red and black fruit preserves flavors, supported by firm, grainy tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long and fragrant. What a beauty!"

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Very vigorous crimson. Looks exceptionally healthy. Still quite a ‘buried’ bouquet. Big and bold and sweet on the palate delivering lots of pleasure. Quite powerful but at least there is fruit on the front palate to compensate for lots of very fine tannins at the end."

WINE SPECTATOR: " A rich, decidedly earthy style of Opus, showing currant, anise, black cherry, mineral, leather and sage flavors that are focused and complex."