Opus One

Opus One was born from a 1979 handshake deal between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi—the first major France-California collaboration. Produced from a 170-acre Oakville estate in Napa Valley, it has sold for $350-$500 per bottle since its debut. This wine helped legitimize California as a world-class region, a claim backed by a 40% higher score than the average Napa wine in blind tastings, though it remains less historically heralded than #7 Château d'Yquem.