Cabernet Sauvignon has risen confidently to become Napa's star performer, and is the most widely planted grape in almost all of the valley's sub-regions. The range of grape varieties grown in the Napa Valley has evolved steadily over the 150 years since Yount planted his first vines. The classic 'Napa Cab', the archetypal Napa Valley wine, is a rich, oak-aged red with aromas of blackcurrant, boysenberry, licorice, vanilla and smoky, bittersweet chocolate. Although a number of grape varieties are grown in the valley's vineyards, the area is particularly known for its Cabernet Sauvignon.

Napa Valley is one of the most famous and prestigious wine region of the world. The scenic 40-minute drive between the Napa and Calistoga townships passes through some of the most valuable viticultural real estate on Earth. Situated immediately north of San Pablo Bay, Napa Valley runs extends for approximately 35 miles (60km) between the Vacas and Mayacamas mountain ranges (to the east and west respectively). Wines will be available in the UK from December 2023 Just 'so balanced and refined' (JS), it will have the long life of all amazing Californian Cabernet, with the Perrotti-Brown giving it a drinking window up to 2058. Made from a blend of of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, it starts off 'silky at first', but then evolves to give you a 'grainier, slate texture' (JA) seducing you with the quality of tannins and the depth of the fruit. The quality of the 2018 vintage in Napa Valley has already been widely praised among fine wine circles so it should be no surprise the newly released Opus One 2018 receives one of its highest scores ever from the Wine Advocate. Originating in the Oakville AVA, Opus One is a blend of separate four parcels, including the revered To Kalon vineyard (North and South) that sits on a complex alluvial fan soil near the Mayacamas Mountains. Marrying the potential of the magnificent terroir of Napa Valley with the excellence of Bordeaux winemaking techniques, and as a result Opus One has been often described as the 'American First Growth'.

The idea was first floated in a conversation between the two men way back in 1970, but only in 1978 did it become a reality. Opus One is the iconic collaboration between the legendary Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, owner of Bordeaux's Château Mouton Rothschild. Arguably the biggest Californian release of the year is upon us.

Opus one blend