What a pleasure it is to taste and drink the 1994 Opus One. Far better than a bottle I had last year, this bottle is absolutely terrific.  Voluptuous, sexy and layered to the core, the 1994 races across the palate with superb depth and pure class. 96

Deep and rich dark ruby in colour, clear liquorice and crushed black olive notes. A long cool growing season (the longest in a decade, after an early budbreak but cool summer and extended hang time), and they took advantage of the rich, elongated tannins by going with a full 43 days skin contact. 1% Malbec completes the blend, first time that this grape has been present in the blend, and it gives its customary spice even at this tiny amount.

This is an impressive effort from Opus One. The wine, a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, and 1% Malbec, possesses a dark ruby/purple color, followed by a generous, complex nose of lead pencil, toasty oak, violets, and black currants. In the mouth, there is a beautiful texture, soft, generous, low acid, full-bodied richness, and a stunningly proportioned, rich, intense finish. The influence of 18 months in new French oak casks gives the wine a subtle oaky note in addition to giving it excellent delineation. Because of the wine's softness and generosity, it can be drunk now as well as over the next 18-20 years. Tel. (707) 963-1979; Fax (707) 944-9357

Dark ruby-red. Exotic, vibrant aromas of cherry, redcurrant, tobacco, mint, cigar ash and white pepper. Thick, supple and very concentrated; really uncanny creamy sweetness and texture in the middle palate. Intriguing note of sarsaparilla. Substantial but utterly suave tannins are thoroughly buffered by the wine extract. Shows some of the sauvage qualities of past vintages of this wine, but here the fresh red fruit flavors are even fresher and more concentrated than usual.

Very long, cool growing season led to highly regarded vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon 93%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Merlot 2%, Malbec 1%. Skin contact 43 days, 18 months in new French oak. Slightly pale with an even paler rim. Sweet cherry-chocolate aromas. Rather simpler than the 1993 on the nose, in fact. Then it took on a certain minerality. Big and bold and chewy finish. Very graceful. Not a bruiser. Quite elegant. More intense than the 1991. (JR)