![]() Superb flavors and excellent ripening led to an earlier than expected harvest, which commenced on the 5th of September. Despite Mother Nature’s variability, favorable weather in August provided optimal conditions for fruit development and maturation. The summer, in turn, was warm and punctuated by occasional heat waves. Increased soil moisture allowed for healthy vine growth and development. The abundant rainfall continued into March, causing a modest delay in budbreak, and pushing bloom back by two weeks. The winter of 2017 ended a five-year drought with January recording the most rainfall in over 20 years. A delicate dark chocolate bitterness lingers on the finish. ![]() The freshness and soft glow of acidity create a subtle tension with dark fruit flavors, savory herbs, espresso, and cocoa. The creamy, satiny texture is framed by fine-grained tannins. The Opus One 2019 has intense aromas of black plum, blueberry, black currant, and dried rose petals, accentuated by mineral undertones. Harvest lasted four weeks, and activity in the cellar proceeded at a calm and steady pace. Picking began on September 10th, a couple of days earlier than average. However, warmer temperatures toward the end of summer accelerated the fruit’s development and maturity. This delay led to later bloom and veraison. The first signs of budbreak were observed in the vineyard on March 27th a full 15 days later than usual. It is interesting they came up with essentially the same name.Abundant spring rains, nearly double the annual average, saturated the soil and provided ample water for the growing season. "You know we looked at several hundred names before deciding on this one. "I've gone back trying to figure out how this could have evolved," said Adams. He added he would not mind owning a bottle of Opus 1, which at $5.95 is considerable less expensive than Opus One, which may retail for about $50 a bottle. "We have the right, I think, to have them cease and desist, but I think we can work things out."Īdams, who was involved in the Mondavi-Rothschild selection of Opus One, a blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, admitted it was a strange coincidence the two distant wineries had chosen the same name. "What I understand is they sell a few hundred cases strictly in Pennsylvania," Adams said, "so I don't think there's going to be a problem. "The peaches give it a peachy nose, and the seyval gives the wine a vinous quality."Īdams said he believed the Mondavi-Rothschild winery could block Allegro Vineyards from using their Opus 1 label. ![]() It's very popular here during the holidays."Ĭrouch said Opus 1 is a wine that "simulates botrytisized riesling." "I just hope to be able to sell the wine at Christmas. "Now it looks like we may have to give it up," he sighed. ![]() However, they never bothered to get a patent on the label. Trademark and Patent Office in January of this year.Īllegro Vineyards' Opus 1 was approved as a label by the ATF in February, according to John Crouch. Mondavi and Rothschild have spent more than two years and a considerable sum of money to ensure the uniqueness of their label.Ĭlifford Adams, general counsel for the Mondavi-Rothschild winery, said they had secured the registered trademark for Opus One through the U.S. "Isn't that funny," said Harvey Posert, public relations director for the Mondavi winery, when informed of the coincidence. The revelation that another Opus One existed as a wine brand sent a mild shock wave through the Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, Calif. His brother Tim, 42, is the "money man" behind Allegro Vineyards, which produces several thousand cases of "award winning" wine each year. Made from peaches and seyval blanc grapes, Opus 1 goes great with desserts, he said. It is a very popular wine this time of year, said John. "At first I wondered if the ATF would approve both labels. "We came up with the name Opus 1 about a year ago, but it has taken about six months to a year to get it approved by the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms)," said John, 36, the winemaker. In November, the Crouch brothers learned that Robert Mondavi, chairman of Robert Mondavi Winery, and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild, partners in a Napa Valley winery, planned to call their joint venture "Opus One" too. Your can imagine their surprise then when they read about another winery in California that planned to use the name "Opus One" as their wine brand. The wine is produced by John and Tim Crouch, owners of Allegro Vineyards in Brogue, a small rural community 50 miles north of Baltimore. It costs $5.95 a bottle and can be purchased by the case at the local grocery store. Residents of Brogue, Pa., have been drinking "Opus 1" for close to a year now.
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