1998 Opus One, Napa Valley [20th Anniversary bottle, V-93pts] For Sale

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Ratings & Tasting Notes:

93 points — Vinous (Antonio Galloni, June 2013)
Savoury herbs, mint, liquorice and plums are woven together in a fabric of notable class. Galloni finds it still young and vibrant, an excellent choice for drinking over the following decade, and calls the focus, length and persistence super-impressive, especially within the context of a challenging vintage. He gives the blend as 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 1% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot.

92 points — Decanter (Jane Anson, September 2019)
Anson notes a difficult year, with rain through the growing season extending ripening into late October. The wine lacks the grip and definition of stronger vintages, but she finds a supple charm, with clear hedgerow and bramble notes and a sweet caramel edge to the oak. It drops off at the end, though the appeal is real. She records 36 days of skin contact and a long, slow ripening in this El Niño year.

90 points — The Wine Independent (June 2024)
Medium to deep garnet-brick in colour, bursting with evolved notes of prunes, dried cherries and stewed rhubarb, followed by hints of crushed rocks, bay leaves and tobacco plus a touch of wild fungi. The medium-bodied palate reveals a wine at its peak, with just enough remaining fruit and a chewy texture, finishing with an herbal lift.

Cult Wines International Notes:

Opus One was founded in 1979 as a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild — a deliberate marriage of Napa Valley fruit and Bordeaux winemaking, and the first venture of its kind between a California estate and a First Growth. The partnership produced a single wine from the outset, drawing on estate parcels in the western reaches of the Oakville AVA, and released its inaugural 1979 vintage in 1984. More than four decades on, Opus One remains the reference point for the Napa Bordeaux blend and one of the few California labels traded internationally as a blue chip.

1998 was an El Niño year in Napa, and a demanding one. Winter flooding delayed the season, rain fell through the growing period, and ripening stretched into late October — a long, slow finish that salvaged the vintage for those with the patience to wait. The blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 1% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, with 36 days of skin contact. The wine is medium to deep garnet-brick and fully evolved: prunes, dried cherries, plums, stewed rhubarb and bramble over savoury herbs, mint, liquorice, bay leaf, tobacco, crushed rock, wild fungi and a sweet caramel edge of oak. Medium-bodied, supple and chewy in texture, with an herbal lift to the finish. This is Opus in its lean, savoury register rather than its opulent one, and at twenty-eight years it is drinking at its peak.

Bottle Size:

750 mL

Storage History:

Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled condition.

Please note: The condition of the bottle you will receive is accurately reflected by the one shown in the images.

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Returns, Cancellations & Refunds

We offer a 30-day return policy. Wines must be returned in their original condition. We do not refund opened or tampered bottles. Adult signature is required. If a package is returned after 3 failed delivery attempts, a $45 restocking/shipping fee will be deducted from your refund.

Disclaimer

At Cult Wines International, we take every precaution to store our wines in a temperature-controlled environment. However, once a package leaves our facility, we cannot control environmental factors. For this reason, we do not offer refunds for wine affected by transit temperatures.

Proactive Solutions:To protect your investment, we recommend utilizing our \"Weather Hold\" service during extreme seasons. For immediate shipping in summer, we offer cool packs and expedited services to minimize the risk of seepage. Please note that minor leakage caused by heat expansion is not considered damage and is not eligible for a refund.

Quality Guarantee:At Cult Wines International, we go to great lengths to ensure the quality of our portfolio, carefully vetting every bottle for provenance and condition. While we maintain a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled storage environment, wine is a living product that evolves uniquely over time. Due to this natural evolution, we cannot guarantee the condition of the cork or the flavor profile once the bottle is opened. Older vintages, in particular, carry an inherent risk; corks may become fragile or shrink, and the wine may be past its peak drinking window. We strive for total transparency. Any known condition issues are detailed in our descriptions and reflected in the price. Plainly put: There is always a risk with older wines. You may open one up and have one of the greatest experiences of your life. You may open a similar bottle and find its past its prime or oxidized. That is the inherent risk assumed by the buyer in the vintage wine world.

Regarding Vintage Wines (Over 20 Years Old)

To ensure you have the best possible experience with your purchase, especially with bottles 20 years or older, we recommend following these 7 professional guidelines. Vintage wine is a unique, evolving product that requires specific care to show its best.

1. Understand Fill Levels (Ullage): The \"fill level\" is an indicator of the wine\'s condition. While not a definitive rule, a wine at the base neck or higher carries minimal risk of oxidation. As the level drops to mid-shoulder or below, the risk of oxidation increases (statistically 35-40% or higher). Please consider the fill level shown in our photos as part of your purchase decision.

2. Let the Bottle Rest (Sediment Management): Over decades, tannins precipitate out of the wine, creating natural sediment and changing the color of the wine. While harmless, this sediment is bitter and can cloud the wine.Stand the bottle upright in a cool, dark place for several days (or even weeks when possible) before opening.Never transport an old wine and open it immediately; the movement will stir up the sediment, making it impossible to decant properly.

3. Use the Right Tools: Standard corkscrews often shred fragile, aged corks. To remove an old cork intact, we highly recommend using an Ah-So or, ideally, a Durand. These specialized tools are designed to grip the cork from the sides, preventing it from crumbling into the wine.

4. Decant for Clarity: The primary goal of decanting an old wine is to separate the wine from its sediment. When removing the cork, be sure not to shake the bottle or disturb the contents within. Pour the wine slowly into a decanter in one continuous motion, stopping the moment you see sediment reach the shoulder of the bottle. YouTube has excellent visual guides on \"decanting vintage wine\" if you are new to the process.

5. Allow the Wine to Breathe: Aged wines have been \"sleeping\" in an anaerobic environment for years and may have a temporary \"musty\" aroma upon opening. Allow the wine to breathe in the decanter for 20-30 minutes. This allows the secondary and tertiary aromas to blossom while the \"bottle funk\" dissipates.

6. Manage Flavor Expectations: Vintage wine does not taste like a \"better\" version of a young wine. It tastes like a different wine.Young Wine: Bold, fruity, and high in tannin.Aged Wine: Earthy, savory, and delicate. You can expect notes of leather, forest floor, and dried spices rather than fresh fruit. The texture will be silkier and lighter on the palate.

7. Know Which Wines Age: Not every bottle is meant for the long haul. High-end reds (Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Syrah), complex whites (Riesling, White Burgundy), and dessert wines (Sauternes, Port) benefit most from decades of cellaring.

AI DisclaimerPlease Note: Cult Wines International sometimes uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to aid in creating the detailed history & vintage notes on our listings. While we strive for accuracy, occasional errors may exist.