It was completed with the considerable involvement of Baroness Philippine de Rothschild both before and after the death of her father in 1988. Naturally, it cost a fortune ($26.5 million), however, Scott Johnson’s design is a stunning architectural statement. An equally important factor is that, by 1991, Opus had its own Oakville winery, described by Tim Mondavi as, ‘a winemaker’s dream’. Speaking in London last November, Tim Mondavi attributed the stylistic changes to a number of factors, including his two winemaking partnerships of Mouton’s Lucien Sionneau and Patrick Leon, who took over in 1987. Since then, Opus’ style and quality have evolved significantly, while production has risen to about 30,000 cases a year. What’s more, it was selling at $50 a bottle. Following tastings in San Francisco and New York, one headline simply read: ‘Opus Won.’ By the following year, Opus was widely recognised as the USA’s number one, ultra-premium wine.

Then, in 1984, the first two vintages were released. Especially when Michael Broadbent sold a case of the 1979 at the 1981 Napa Valley Auction for a record $24,000. Meanwhile, the speculation that surrounded this hitherto unnamed, untasted wine mounted. Some time after the debut 1979 vintage, the name ‘Opus One’, with its musical theme, gravitas and Latin origins was finally adopted. Both were powerfully ambitious pioneers and visionaries who were committed to the goal of creating a world-class California cru. Fortunately, the two lead men, despite coming from quite different backgrounds, were in many ways very similar. But bold ideas can go badly awry if the human chemistry fails to ignite. The idea was bold and brilliant and the publicity that followed the announcement was predictably stupendous. It would have its own winery and Napa Valley vineyards with everything owned 50:50. It would be an estate wine based, primarily, on Cabernet Sauvignon. Their concept was to create an American first growth. Then, five years later, they met again before hatching the blueprint at Mouton-Rothschild in just two hours flat. The plan was first discussed when Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Bob Mondavi met in 1973. Even Mondavi’s own family initially resisted the idea. In France, the press screamed treachery, accusing Baron de Rothschild of selling out on Bordeaux. It wasn’t just that it had never been done before, California wine was not yet recognised as it is today. Indeed, back in the late 1970s, the success of this venture involving the Mouton-Rothschild and Mondavi wine empires seemed anything but a foregone conclusion.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for Opus. Finally, this June, the partners will host a tasting and dinner in Tokyo to conclude yet another landmark year in the extraordinary history of Opus One. The London event in November also featured a full vertical tasting lead by Tim Mondavi and Baroness Philippine de Rothschild. The first comprised 18 double magnums, the second 18 impériales. In New York, at yet another gala banquet two Opus collections were auctioned off for charity. In 1999, a series of tastings took place in major cities. However, the celebrations didn’t stop in California. Bob Mondavi and Baroness Philippine de Rothschild were, of course, present as hosts, while guests included celebrities and press from around the world. They included a black-tie dinner for nearly 250, with a tasting of every Opus vintage. Typically, the celebrations late last year at Opus’ Oakville winery were on a grand scale. March releases on the Place de Bordeaux 2023.September fine wine releases on La Place de Bordeaux 2023.

Opus one wine club