2003 Opus One

Red Bordeaux Blend

America / California / Napa Valley  / Oakville

¥86,200
JD 94
RP 94
V 91
Size:
Quantity:

Availability: 3

2003 Opus One – A Napa Valley Classic from a Warm Vintage

The 2003 Opus One reflects the poised collaboration between Bordeaux precision and Napa Valley power. Born from the partnership of Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, Opus One embodies timeless sophistication and consistent pedigree in the realm of California Cult Wines. The 2003 vintage captures the richness and opulence of a warm, early-ripening season, offering a plush expression of Oakville fruit with excellent aging potential.

Tasting Notes

The wine opens with dark plum, black cherry, and cedar box, laced with nuances of cigar leaf and baking spice. On the palate, it's broad and velvety, layered with notes of dark cocoa, espresso, and a firm core of savory tannin. The finish is persistent and well-structured, pointing toward graceful maturity in the cellar.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

Composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon with supporting roles from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, the 2003 Opus One was aged for 17 months in new French oak. The fruit is sourced from the estate’s meticulously farmed vineyards in Oakville, where volcanic soils and western exposure yield fruit of density and balance. Fermentation and élevage follow traditional Bordeaux methods with a California lens on precision.

Investment & Collectibility

With over two decades of age, the 2003 Opus One is entering its prime drinking window, offering collectors and investors a fully integrated, cellar-aged experience. Perfect for your collection, particularly for those tracking historic vintages from Napa’s top producers.

Vintage Insights

The 2003 growing season was marked by an early bud break and warm conditions throughout, leading to a compact harvest and small, concentrated berries. Wines from this year are known for their plush tannins and ripe profiles, with the 2003 Opus One standing out for its balance and longevity.


Explore Related Collections

JD 94

Jeb Dunnuck

From a vintage that saw plenty of rain at harvest, the 2003 Opus One is nevertheless ripe and nicely concentrated, with plenty of intensity in its ripe cassis and redcurrant fruit as well as spicy, herbal, and cedary nuances. The tannins are certainly more present here, and probably always will be, but this is a classic, impeccably put-together Cabernet that will evolve for another 15 years. The blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Malbec. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck, Issue date: February 16, 2023. Drinking window: 2023 - 2038.
RP 94

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

This blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec aged 17 months in French oak is a strong effort offering creme de cassis, cedarwood, white chocolate and spice box. It possesses a Bordeaux-like personality, as one might expect since Opus One is owned by Baroness Philippe de Rothschild and the winemaking team comes primarily from Pauillac. The significant tannin in the wine provides a slight austerity, but this is a full-bodied, rich effort that marks the beginning of a period when Opus One finally began to live up to the enormous potential first announced in the late 1970s by the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild and the late Robert Mondavi. Although accessible now, the 2003 will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring and should keep for two decades.Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr., Issue date: June 28, 2013. Drinking window: 2017 - 2037.
V 91

Vinous

The 2003 Opus One is still pretty young for a wine of its age. Cedar, leather, tobacco, incense, dried herbs and menthol lend notable savory nuance throughout. The 2003 is not the biggest Opus One, but it is a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. At twenty years of age, it is in fine shape but not likely to improve significantly. This is an especially good bottle. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, Issue date: May, 2024. Drinking window: 2023 - 2028.

Domestic Shipping

We currently ship to all U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS.

Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday will ship the following Monday.

Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles Metro area if placed before noon. Please contact us at (626) 714-7006 to arrange expedited local service.

Packaging & Warm Weather Shipping

To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers with gel packs when necessary. During warmer months, we recommend selecting Next Day Air service. If Ground shipping is selected during high temperatures, a signed waiver may be required to release us from liability due to heat exposure.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, bottles are removed and shipped in foam for safety. The wooden case ships separately via Ground unless otherwise requested.

Weather Holds & Free Storage

In periods of extreme weather, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safe conditions return. If you request immediate shipment during such periods, you must confirm in writing and acknowledge that you waive any condition guarantees.

We also offer complimentary temperature-controlled storage for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the “Hold for Weather” option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping at a later date.

Insurance

We provide free shipping insurance for loss or visible damage during transit, per carrier terms and conditions.

Adult Signature Required

All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, or failed delivery attempts.

Shipping Address Accuracy

Orders are shipped to the exact shipping address provided at checkout. Angry Wine Merchant is not responsible for errors or omissions in the address submitted by the customer. If a package is delayed, returned, or misdelivered due to incorrect shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if re-shipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.

States We Ship To

We ship to the following U.S. states:

Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

*******************************

International Shipping

We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
JD 94

Jeb Dunnuck

From a vintage that saw plenty of rain at harvest, the 2003 Opus One is nevertheless ripe and nicely concentrated, with plenty of intensity in its ripe cassis and redcurrant fruit as well as spicy, herbal, and cedary nuances. The tannins are certainly more present here, and probably always will be, but this is a classic, impeccably put-together Cabernet that will evolve for another 15 years. The blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Malbec. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck, Issue date: February 16, 2023. Drinking window: 2023 - 2038.
RP 94

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

This blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec aged 17 months in French oak is a strong effort offering creme de cassis, cedarwood, white chocolate and spice box. It possesses a Bordeaux-like personality, as one might expect since Opus One is owned by Baroness Philippe de Rothschild and the winemaking team comes primarily from Pauillac. The significant tannin in the wine provides a slight austerity, but this is a full-bodied, rich effort that marks the beginning of a period when Opus One finally began to live up to the enormous potential first announced in the late 1970s by the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild and the late Robert Mondavi. Although accessible now, the 2003 will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring and should keep for two decades.Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr., Issue date: June 28, 2013. Drinking window: 2017 - 2037.
V 91

Vinous

The 2003 Opus One is still pretty young for a wine of its age. Cedar, leather, tobacco, incense, dried herbs and menthol lend notable savory nuance throughout. The 2003 is not the biggest Opus One, but it is a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. At twenty years of age, it is in fine shape but not likely to improve significantly. This is an especially good bottle. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, Issue date: May, 2024. Drinking window: 2023 - 2028.

2003 Opus One – A Napa Valley Classic from a Warm Vintage

The 2003 Opus One reflects the poised collaboration between Bordeaux precision and Napa Valley power. Born from the partnership of Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, Opus One embodies timeless sophistication and consistent pedigree in the realm of California Cult Wines. The 2003 vintage captures the richness and opulence of a warm, early-ripening season, offering a plush expression of Oakville fruit with excellent aging potential.

Tasting Notes

The wine opens with dark plum, black cherry, and cedar box, laced with nuances of cigar leaf and baking spice. On the palate, it's broad and velvety, layered with notes of dark cocoa, espresso, and a firm core of savory tannin. The finish is persistent and well-structured, pointing toward graceful maturity in the cellar.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

Composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon with supporting roles from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, the 2003 Opus One was aged for 17 months in new French oak. The fruit is sourced from the estate’s meticulously farmed vineyards in Oakville, where volcanic soils and western exposure yield fruit of density and balance. Fermentation and élevage follow traditional Bordeaux methods with a California lens on precision.

Investment & Collectibility

With over two decades of age, the 2003 Opus One is entering its prime drinking window, offering collectors and investors a fully integrated, cellar-aged experience. Perfect for your collection, particularly for those tracking historic vintages from Napa’s top producers.

Vintage Insights

The 2003 growing season was marked by an early bud break and warm conditions throughout, leading to a compact harvest and small, concentrated berries. Wines from this year are known for their plush tannins and ripe profiles, with the 2003 Opus One standing out for its balance and longevity.


Explore Related Collections

You may also like

Recently viewed