Our database contains 39 tasting notes covering 24 vintages of Opus OneВ with a mean score of 17.5, and a mode of 18. The difference may seem marginal, but it is real, and it remains true that experiencing the truly greatest wines of the worldВ is never cheap. Scores are important here, because it is almost unheard of for inexpensive wines to score above 17.5. I scored it 18++, and I see that Jancis was half a point ahead of me when she tasted it earlier this year (see Opus goes wild, which also reveals more about their winemaking philosophy). There is an impeccability to theВ fruit that sets such wines apart. It was like Pauillac inВ seductive soft focus: all the sun-kissed richness of Napa with all the savoury formalityВ of Bordeaux. I tasted the newly released 2016 in Singapore in September and the impression was instant. The first is the quality of the wine itself.

But surelyВ readers of the world's best wine website are at least open to persuasion that Opus One is worth the asking price? Indeed, for the majority of British wine drinkers, anything above the average bottle price of around ВЈ6 must seem excessive. Since Jancis recently asked if wine is becoming a luxury, observing that 'it is becoming increasingly difficult to find wines of real interest under ВЈ25 a bottle', a typically well-informed and thoughtful debate has been running on our Members' forum, citing many examples of the way prices for fine wine have increased so dramatically in recent years.ДЇor many people, ВЈ300 for aВ bottle of wine is absurdly expensive, offensive even. Opus One, the famous Californian Cabernet,В is neither in need of greater exposure nor, at ВЈ300 per bottle,В of interest to the bargain hunter. Most wines of the week are chosen with the bargain hunter in mind, bringing lesser-known bottles to the attention of those who would most appreciate them. If value is relative, then Opus One most definitely qualifies (as does a Sonoma Zinfandel at a somewhat lower price).ДЇrom $299, в‚¬329.90,В ВЈ296.68, SG$450 and widely available around the world.

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