Opus One Napa Valley Red Wine 2023
Opus One Napa Valley Red Wine 2023 is the latest vintage of the Oakville estate's flagship Bordeaux-style blend — the single wine created by the partnership of Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Napa Valley pioneer Robert Mondavi. The 2023 is a Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend (81%) with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, given 22 days of skin contact and 19 months in French oak, with a portion of the wine also handled in amphora. Bottled at 13.5% ABV in a 750mL bottle, it is the cool, classical face of Opus One — and it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 13.5%
- Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec
- Vintage: 2023
- Skin Contact: 22 days
- Barrel Aging: 19 months in French oak
- Size: 750mL
- Origin: Oakville, Napa Valley, California
A Cool, Classical Vintage
The 2023 season opened with early rains — 36.12 inches in total fueled the growing season — and the estate's calendar ran true to its averages: budbreak on April 12, bloom on May 30 and veraison on August 11. Summer stayed cool, without notable heat events, and harvest began September 14 and concluded October 16, the fruit brought in at an even pace that preserved freshness and balance. Under winemaker Michael Silacci, the estate farms its Oakville vineyards parcel by parcel and shapes the fruit into one flagship wine each vintage. Early critical scores underline the result: 98 points each from Vinous, Jeb Dunnuck and Decanter, and 96+ from Wine Advocate. Explore more of the estate's wines through the Opus One collection, or browse the wider red wine shelf at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Opus One 2023 presents a complex profile with notes of red fruit, cherry blossom and dried violet. Aromas of vanilla lend grace, while graphite, forest floor and tobacco portend structure. On the palate the wine is balanced, framed by silky tannins — elderberry and cassis unfold, accented by black pepper and chocolate-covered orange peel. The finish carries notes of red plum and sweet oak: a wine of harmony, balancing structural seriousness with youthful brightness.
How to Enjoy
Serve at 60–65°F. Young, the 2023 rewards patience in the glass — give it around two hours in a decanter before pouring. It is a natural partner for beef fillet, rack of lamb, roast veal, duck, or mushroom and truffle dishes. In the cellar it is built for the long haul: Vinous gives a drinking window of 2031–2053, with the structure to evolve for decades. For more cellar-worthy Napa blends, see our red blend and Cabernet Sauvignon collections and the full wine range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Opus One 2023 blend?
81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec — the five classic Bordeaux varieties, grown on the estate's Oakville vineyards in Napa Valley.
What is the ABV?
13.5% ABV, 750mL. The cool 2023 season produced a notably classical, precision-driven vintage rather than a powerhouse one.
How was Opus One 2023 made?
The wine saw 22 days of skin contact and was aged 19 months in French oak; a portion of the wine was also handled in amphora, a first for the estate's recent vintages.
Who makes Opus One?
Opus One Winery in Oakville, Napa Valley — founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, and made under winemaker Michael Silacci. The estate produces one flagship wine per vintage.
Is Opus One 2023 ageworthy?
Yes. The winery describes it as balancing structural seriousness with youthful brightness to provide superb aging, and Vinous' drinking window runs 2031–2053.
Add Opus One 2023 to your cellar from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — a landmark Napa vintage from America's most storied wine partnership.