Mondavi - Opus One 2000

DECANTER: "A long, cool growing season in 2000 and you can feel this through the character of the fruit, which has less intensity that some vintages, still with sweet blueberry and raspberry, with caressing soft tannins that are a little more open than you might expect. At this point Opus was still being made by the team at the Mondavi vineyards, and there was a growing awareness that they needed their own team; able to focus on exactly what they needed (these things are always more obvious in a difficult year, as there are so many vineyard choices to be taken). 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 44 days skin contact. Drinking Window 2019 - 2036"

WINE ENTHUSIAST: „Made in the Opus style, which is graceful, limpid and elegant, but with hidden depths of authority and power. The blackberry, cherry and oak flavors are pretty, but the wine is most notable for its harmony and grace. Tannins play only a supportive role, but they will let this wine age effortlessly for many years."

WEINWISSER: "Dunkles Granat-Rubin, ganz feiner Rand aussen. Vielschichtiges Bouquet, rote Johannis- und Himbeeren, Fliedernoten, Früchtetee, Rosenpfeffer, ein Hauch Zitronenmelisse, frisch, sehr nobel im Ansatz. Stoffiger Gaumenbeginn, gut stützende Säure, sich mit dem süssen Extrakt verbindend, herrliches Sweet-and-sour-Spiel, ausgeglichene, aber muskulöse Adstringenz, sehr rotbeerig bleibend, noch leicht aufrauend, wird wohl eher elegant bleiben, kann noch zulegen."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, the 2000 Opus One prances out with showy notes of dried roses, cinnamon stick, and kirsch giving way to an undercurrent of spearmint, pencil lead, and mossy tree bark plus a touch of dried Provence herbs. The medium-bodied palate offers loads of mature, savory layers with a chewy texture and seamless freshness, finishing minerally."