Over the weekend, Graileys opened our doors on Saturday for a highly anticipated night to remember… our annual Opus One Release Party! We hosted the fabulous Karen d’Amour of Opus One and brought in Royal Chef Darren McGrady to prepare a fabulous meal for our very special guests. The lineup was marvelous to say the least! This year, we poured the following vintages of Opus One: 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013 for the dinner. In true Graileys’ fashion, Simon surprised our guests with 1993 Opus One! We also opened a bottle of 1996 Opus One, courtesy of our good friend Ned. All of the vintages showed very well, so much that there was a different vintage that stood out the most for each and every guest. Check out our lineup below and grab a few of your favorite vintages or grab them all to create your own Opus One event!
2009 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne ($249.95/btl)- Bright and fresh with ripe berry fruit, crisp pink apples and apricot. Wet river rocks and citrus gave it a great lift!
Multi-vintage Overture by Opus One ($129.95/btl)- The Overture was drinking like a champ! Very approachable, creamy, mouthcoating texture filled with delicious red currant and blackberry fruit and dark savory tones. A fantastic wine to pop, pour and enjoy.
Graileys Welcomes Karen d’Amour and our guests for a night of Opus One!
2006 Opus One- One of my personal favorites from the lineup, the ’06 Opus One was on fire!! Beautiful dried red and black berry fruit, leather, warm mocha, dark chocolate and fresh turned soil all leading to a long lasting finish.
2008 Opus One- Absolutely seductive! Dark chocolate covered Luxardo cherries, creme de cassis, dense dried baking spices; the flavors are all rich and compact with multiple dimensions all in a velvety expression.
A wonderful dinner created by Royal Chef Darren McGrady, former personal chef of Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana of Wales, Prince Harry and Prince William, five USA presidents and more!
2011 Opus One ($189.95/btl)- Oh, the infamous 2011 vintage… and Opus One NAILED IT!!! Rich dark berry fruit and stunning savory tones, dried bay leaves, dried herbs, black pepper, eucalyptus, sandalwood and crushed gravel. If anyone can create an impress 2011, you know it is the team at Opus One and this wine shined just as strong as its fellow vintages on the table.
2012 Opus One ($279.95/btl)- Flashy and Fabulous! The ’12 was roaring with brilliant aromatics and a palate just as confident to back up the explosive nose. Wild violets, ripe and juicy black and blue berry fruit lead the palate while layers upon layers of leather, mocha, sweet cream and dark chocolate, weaved in and out in a mouth-coating fashion. Everything was ridiculously seamless in this gorgeous wine.
Royal Chef Darren McGrady sharing stories of Princess Diana and the princes when they were young boys.
2013 Opus One ($295/btl)- Our 100 pointer of the night! The 2013 vintage was what we have all been waiting for! Intense, powerful, seductive, demanding, the ’13 Opus One is indestructible!! Generous black fruit, gravel, and black pepper pounded through the palate followed by layers of dark cocoa nibs, espresso and cassis. The tannins were ultra-fine leading into a smokey finish with a rush of blackberry at the end.
1993 Opus One- The 1993 Opus One was beautiful! The most Bordeaux like compared to the other vintages of the dinner, the ’93 was stunning! Simon opened three bottles of this spectacular wine to go around for everyone and what a treat it was! Potpourri, clay, cigar box, dried florals of rose and violets with notes of gorgeous dried blueberries, dried cherries, leather, dried mint and dark spice. A beautiful showing and the perfect moment to share with our guests.
