1995 Opus One

Deep browning red. Sauvage aromas of plum jam, game and leather, with complicating notes of roasted fruits and herbs. Smooth on entry, then betrays a slight acid streak in the middle palate, displaying more earth, leather and game than fruit at this point. A distinctly old-style wine with an obvious element of brettanomyces. A vintage with a lot of bottle variation, according to winemaker Michael Silacci, who took over winemaking duties here in 2004.

- Stephen Tanzer (03/2016)

Delicious aromas of chocolate, sweet tobacco, and currants. Full bodied and very soft, with velvety tannins and plenty of fruit. Interesting notes of iodine, lavender, iron, and plum. This is textbook stuff, holding on beautifully. (02/2011)

The 1995 Opus One is medium to deep garnet-brick in color. It is quite delicate and shy on the nose, revealing subtle notes of stewed strawberries, cranberry sauce, and rosebud tea opening out to hints of Chinese five spice and dusty soil with a touch of tobacco leaf. The medium-bodied palate is elegant and beautifully poised, with lightly chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with a perfumed lift. (06/2024)

Earthy, funky aromas and flavors are intense and concentrated, so if you like those dense earth, leather, mineral and tobacco flavors that come across like Old World Bordeaux.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 30,000 cases made.

- J.L.