What’s the most you’ve spent on a single bottle of wine?
This week, Julien tasted the cult-favorite Napa wine Opus One. Does he think it’s worth the hefty $500 price tag? And can it stand up to its Grand Cru cousins in Bordeaux? Watch the video to find out.
First Impressions
“The cooler climate of Bordeaux and the great terroirs that top châteaux have deliver finesse and balance that are really hard to match—and not quite matched perfectly here, I would say. But what I really like about Opus One is how…”
“I think I might have made a mistake today. I spent $500 on a bottle of wine so you don’t have to. I want to find out if the cult California winery Opus One is really worth the hype, or if you should spend your $500 on something else.
I’m Julien Miquel, Bordeaux-trained winemaker. I’ve spent the past 25 years making and tasting fine wines all around the world, after making my debut as a winemaker at Château Margaux, one of Bordeaux’s top First Growths.
So I know a thing or two about top cult wines—especially the French ones. I’m very curious to find out if Opus One is better than top Bordeaux, or if it’s just overhyped American stuff. Let’s pour this little beauty.”
Why Opus One Became a Cult Wine
“Hello, bonjour, and welcome to your new Bonner Private Wines video, where we learn about wine together every week.
I want to give you my opinion on this wine and describe it with some precision, but I’d also like to hear your thoughts in the comments. If you’ve ever tasted Opus One, what did you think? Would you spend $500 on a bottle?
Before tasting, let’s refresh why Opus One became such an iconic California wine.
Opus One is one of the world’s most famous wines and among the most expensive produced in Napa Valley. The winery was established as a joint venture between two legendary names:
Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild
Robert Mondavi, California’s leading producer at the time
It was the first premium California wine to break into the European market and became one of the original cult Cabernets, alongside wines such as:
Harlan Estate
Screaming Eagle
The idea was conceived in the 1970s. The first vintage was produced in 1979 and released in 1984. So the hype around Opus One has now lasted about 40 years.”
Tasting the 2018 Vintage
“Let’s taste it.
The 2018 vintage is now six years old, and it looks gorgeous:
Dark to the core
Vibrant red at the rim
Like dark cherry in color
Still very youthful
No orange hues or visible aging
That’s expected—six years is still very young for a wine like this.”
Nose
“Oh, it smells delicious.
Two things come to mind immediately:
First, you instantly know this is something special. Fine wine like this doesn’t explode aromatically—it’s subtle, delicate, soft, and calming.
Second, it smells quite oaky at first:
Smoke
Toast
Wood smoke
Vanilla
Roasted hazelnut
Caramel
After swirling, the fruit comes through:
Cassis / blackcurrant
Dark cherry
Opus One is a Bordeaux blend, with:
84% Cabernet Sauvignon
5% Petite Verdot
5% Merlot
5% Cabernet Franc
1% Malbec
It is aged for 17 months in 100% new oak barrels, which explains the strong oak character.
There is also:
Dark chocolate
Coffee
Beautiful.”
Palate
“Oh wow. It’s very good.
This is an extremely mellow red wine:
Very soft tannins
Silky texture
Creamy mouthfeel
Slightly oily body
Flavor-wise, it is potent:
Big burst of cassis
Fresh acidity
Warming alcohol
Berry intensity
Strong oak influence
The oak is still very marked and not fully integrated yet. That’s a common hallmark of American wine—generally oakier than French wines.
The wine has good density, but it isn’t hugely concentrated. It’s not chewy—it simply feels polished, explosive, and very soft.”
Score
“To me, this is 96/100 points.
That puts it firmly in the super high-end category above 95 points, but not near 100.
Why not higher?
Because the overall density is not extreme enough for true 98–100 point territory.”
Opus One vs Bordeaux
“Would I buy this over a similarly priced Bordeaux?
For $500 in Bordeaux, you could buy:
A top classified château from Margaux
An exceptional Saint-Émilion
A great Pomerol
Those wines would generally offer:
More density
More seriousness
Greater aging potential
More complexity
Finer tannins
Better harmony
The cooler climate and terroirs of Bordeaux deliver finesse and balance that are difficult to match.”
Why Opus One Still Works
“But what I really like about Opus One is how approachable it already is.
A 2018 vintage is already highly satisfying:
Fruity
Oaky
Chocolaty
Smoky
Warming
Comforting
Smooth
It delivers immediate pleasure.
Because it isn’t overly complicated, it’s very easy to enjoy—especially in a restaurant when you want something refined but immediately expressive.”
Final Verdict
“Given its explosive finish and aging potential, this wine should easily evolve for another 15 years and remain exceptional.
So yes—I’d say it is certainly worth the $500 price tag… if any wine is worth that much.”
Closing
“That was it for today.
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See you soon in the wonderful world of wine. Cheers!”
