Nose
Showing nuances of dried strawberry, vanilla bean and mocha in the nose, the wine offers lavish flavors of cassis, black cherry, plum and espresso.
Palate
A marriage of richness and restraint, the wine combines a lean, vibrant entry with profound mid-palate density. Silky tannins and a seamless balance enhance a long, unwavering finish accented by bittersweet chocolate and a hint of smoke.
Growing Conditions
The estate vineyards of Opus One, comprised of 4 parcels, sit in the western portion of the famed Oakville AVA. Two parcels, totaling 100 acres, are within the renowned To Kalon Vineyard. These are complemented by the combined 70 acres of the Ballestra and River parcels, which envelop the winery. In the vineyards, hand-harvesting and other traditional approaches are taken wherever they work best. When modern techniques benefit the winegrowing process, they are researched, evaluated and integrated into practice.
The 2002 vintage in Oakville saw only one significant rainfall in January, with most rains falling in December of the prior year. Light precipitation and moderate temperatures in the spring boosted soil moisture and prompted a good fruit set with high berry counts in individual clusters.
Harvest
Harvest began on September 9th with Malbec and concluded with a small lot of Cabernet Franc crushed on October 11th.
Winemaking
Skin Contact: 32 days
Aging
Barrel Aging: 20 months in new French oak
Appearance
The 2002 Opus One is deep garnet.
