However in 1990 phylloxera was discovered in Q Block that resulted in a replanting on St. Another issue was the vines as Mondavi sold a key 35 acre Q block parcel of To-Kalon to the venture plus in 1983-84 they acquired two more vineyards across Highway 29 from Mondavi totalling 138 acres of which 108+ were planted. 1990 was the last vintage made at the Mondavi facility and 1991 the first one in that spectacular new Opus One winery (plagued by water issues built over a geothermal spring with cost overruns).

From about 1986 on some Bordeaux vinification methods were being deployed and by the early nineties harmony developed between the Bordeaux & Napa contributions. Initially it was somewhat difficult to reach the unique perfect Opus One style with Bordeaux experts first Lucien Sionneau and in the late eighties Patrick Leon seeking more elegance & finesse while the Mondavi family (Robert, MIchael & Tim with Genevieve Janssens) focusing on the rich bold riper Napa fruit. In the early years the wine was produced at the Mondavi winery and was very California. There were so many aficionados of their wines (Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon & Chateau Mouton Rothschild) that the launch of their joint project of Opus One in Oakville California with the inaugural 1979 vintage was met with highly enthusiastic anticipation. Your scribe is a long time follower and admirer of the work of both Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe De Rothschild.

Opus 2015 price