Why is Opus One so expensive?
I collect a small amount of wine. Currently I have about 60 bottles. I started collecting Opus One and a lesser-known Bordeaux by Rothschild with the 1998 vintages. Yesterday, I bought three bottles of a 2005 Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet for about each, and three bottles the 2005 Opus One for about 0 each. The Don Melchor was rated by Wine Enthusiast at 96 while the Opus One has a 95 depending on which magazine rated it.
The ratings have been similar for these wines. Here’s what I’ve been able to find for both:
2004 both were rated at 94
2002 DM was 93 OO was 94
2001 DM was 94 OO was 89
2000 DM was 95 OO was 89
I know the 89s for the Opus is not a good representation of it’s true quality. Both tend to come in around the mid 90s.
Also, Don Melchor came in as the fourth best wine in 2006 according to Wine Spectator .
So, why does the Opus One get so much attention when you can get what appears to be just as good a wine for much less money? I know the name is a part of it, but why wouldn’t Don Melchor end up with as good a name after years of great wine?
I guess my question is, I’m I missing something? Is there something other than name and points that make Opus worth more?
Tagged with: bordeaux • cabernet • concha y toro • concha y toro don melchor • mid 90s • missing something • money • oo • opus one • rothschild • true quality • vintages • which magazine • wine enthusiast • wine spectator • wines
Filed under: All Things Wine
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Wine is largely priced based upon the rarity of the wine. There are normally less than 25,000 cases produced of Opus One each year. You will find that most ultra expensive wines have only marginally better ratings than wines at 1/10 their cost. Take a great wine maker that makes a very good wine and keep production very low and you have the makings of a very expensive wine. Rich people like to drink wine that not everybody has access to
If you think Opus One is expensive, how do you justify a bottle of 2005 Chateau Petrus for $2500?