Opus One Napa 1986

Dark tawny in colour, with a ruby core, this builds and maintains its intensity through the mid palate and onwards to a long drawn out finish. Packed with tobacco, raspberry, black cherry, black pepper, freshly cut herbs and turmeric spice, takes its time to show the subtler nuances of flavour and this feels young overall, with an emphasis on spice that unpacks over a good hour in the glass. More proof of how Opus is comfortable being left to age for decades in bottle. 21 days skin contact, winemakers Patrick Léon and Tim Mondavi.