To ensure our highest standard of quality, the vineyards are managed by growers who adhere to our strict viticultural philosophy and the wines are crafted with our own hands. The components of O.P.C. were harvested and fermented separately in small batches, then carefully blended in several phases during the second year of barrel aging. This 2014 O.P.C. was aged in French oak barrels for 20 months and bottled in June of 2016.
The Buoncristiani Brothers are bonded not only by blood, but also by a shared passion, vision, and dedication for handcrafting ultra premium wines that accentuate the enjoyment of life.
We are four young brothers - Matt, Jay, Aaron & Nate - who were born and raised in the Napa Valley from a long lineage of Italian winemakers and wine lovers. We, the Buoncristiani brothers, take pride in performing all aspects of enology, viticulture, wine production, and art design in order to share with you a true expression of our winemaking passion. Our motto is quality not quantity and we craft our wines without compromise. Handcrafting these limited production wines ourselves allows for the utmost attention to detail of every drop of every gallon in each barrel.
āThis winery merits serious attention and I hope it receives it, because it does seem to me to be a producer thatās somewhat under the radar. I immensely enjoy the wines from this winery.ā - Robert Parker, Jr., June 2015
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Buoncristiani O.P.C. Napa Valley Proprietary Red
2 bottles for $89.99 $44.99/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $514.99 $42.92/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2014 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Napa Valley Proprietary Red - $25 = 4.62%
Nice to see a Buoncristiani offer. Iāve only tried their whites as their wines are a bit pricey overall but am tempted to grab a couple of these O.P.C.s depending upon lab rat reports and/or winery participationā¦
Even more interested after listening to Nate Buoncristianiās podcast for this offer. Lots of interesting vineyard sources, different cooperages, toast levels, etc. adding to the complexity of this blend.
I think Iād want expert (Peter W?) labrat reviews, and complete stats here: alcohol, pH, TA, RS, Brie at harvest, information on the type/age/toast of the oak, etc.
For me, a Parker 95 in CA is usually a red flag that a wine is very (over) ripe and fruit forward, often without the structure to age well. But, this is not exactly a Pauillac blend, and closer to his Pomerol/St Emilion wheelhouse, so who knowsā¦
@rlmanzo I did say closerā¦ But, not to quibble, youāve got me dead to rights. I was thinking more a wine that was less Cabernet and more a blend than even most California āBordeauxā blends, and you recall my oft-stated view that Parker does not have (and has never had), a clue about Cabernet Sauvignon.
Interesting factoid: Parker encomiums of the 1982 Bordeaux (made in a more approachable style in many cases in a sunny year) made his reputation, and the reputation of the vintage. David Peppercornās more jaundiced view of the aging potential of the 1982s destroyed Peppercornās reputation. Now, 35+ years on, Peppercorn looks closer to being right than Parker, but few remember Peppercorn anymore.
@rpm I agree with @rpm, would like to hear from some wine experts (like Peter, Kent, Scott, or RPM) here before thinking about pulling the trigger!! WD get those boys a bottle to Rat!!!
@ScottW58 In terms of Parker ratings I was thinking of particular wines rather than vintages overall, but, since you askā¦ I think the 2005 were ripe, but often very well balanced - many long lived wines, but some early faders. As Iāve started to dabble in my 2005s, Iāve been pretty happy with their development. 2007 was riper than 2005, to be sure. I have tended to buy more 05s than 07s, but very producer dependent. I was selective with 07. I really havenāt started drinking 07s. I like 2009 as well, and I think 2012 will be one of (if not) the best vintages of the first two decades of the 21st century.
@rpm
Thanks for your thoughts I was just poking the bear I also like the 05ās but not as great as everyone was pumping it up to be and after the 07ās I get gun shy when I hear great things like vintage of the century, time will tell. And yes great producers will make pretty good wine in all vintages IMHO.
@ScottW58 the only California vintage I remember having when it was young that fully lived up to the hype was 1970 for Napa Cabernet. The best of them were certainly still alive, though beginning to fade when I last had the BV Latour a year or so ago. Iām saving a bottle for my 50th college reunion and think it will be good (though not the wine it was at 40).
Following to see what the consensus is. Goodness Iām intrigued but donāt think i can pull the trigger for a dallas case myself after doing the last Napa āblack tieā offering that just shipped.
Based on my recollection of the 2010, this is most likely a very nice wine. I recall seeing the 2013 or '14 at Costco for about $55 so the price is decent. I am interested in a bottle especially if we are splitting a case.
Sorry @rpm et al. Iām thinking I shouldnāt even bother with notes but I will anyway in a bit
A bottle of this just showed up here on the east coast about 75 minutes ago. But donāt worry, I shook it up real well to integrate the sediment and itās out on the deck in the sun to get it up to proper chugging temp. Heat index is 100 degrees F so it shouldnāt take long. Back soon!
All kidding aside, I was stoked to try this. Iāve known the name, but other than maybe a flyby taste I donāt recall ever having the wines. So with thatā¦
Bottle background: it left CA yesterday afternoon, got to my door on the SC coast today at 4:30pm. Because Iām a juggler I used the bottle along with a couple bottles of my usual go to wine, Booneās Farm Strawberry Hill, to entertain some friends, before I put it on the deck to warm upā¦(there are some Strawberry Hill reviews out there at 99 points, so Iām thinking the O.P.C. has some competition here)
Anyway, upon arrival a good inspection of the bottle. It just went coast to coast, but all is good. Bottle is cool/not warm to the touch. Cork looks as clean as a whistle, maybe 1/8" of staining. No sign of any shipping troubles.
Into the fridge, out at 5:30pm. Pulled the cork, took a whiff, the wine is sound. Temp 73.3F. Cork back in and returned to fridge. Checked again at 6:15, temp is 65.5.
At 6:45 temp is 61.8 and did a slow pour into a decanter just to get it off some very slight sediment and finally a small taste for me. Impression: this is not an overripe Parkerized wine. Not at all. I bring that up because of previous comments. I know itās in fashion for some folks to bash Parker just because. I also know he took hits for Aussie wines. I also know some of those wines have REALLY come into their own over the years. But I digress. Whatever.
Color, not opaque but a medium ruby. Canāt read through it, but not dark. Nose is quiet but I get some spice and maybe a bit of tobacco? Right now Iām getting the syrah out of it, but itās a bit of dancer wanting me to taste the cab. A bit of chocolate? But that could be the malbec or merlot.
Itās pretty even on the palate front to back, nothing sticks out, no holes. Nice finish. Tannins are smooth and easy, fruit is plentiful but kind of hiding. Nothing here screams drink now but you certainly can, but I think a few years will be nice to it. And fwiw I tend to drink my CA wines before age 10. The blasphemy right!
Oh, and the '82 Bordeaux wines that Mr. Peppercorn enjoys have a slight presence in my modest cellar. As long as we are aligning palates.
Cheers!
Edit, in itās syrah stage it kind of reminded me of a Lillian syrah but rounder as not as intense. Obviously because of the other components. And I know that may be a deal breaker for some, but it was also a mouthfeel/texture thing.
@jhkey Oh yeah, sorry. Didnāt realize it wasnāt in the specs above. 14.5 on the bottle. The wine carries it just fine in my humble. And the Lillian thought was just what popped in my head at the moment. Itās no where near as big/ripe. There was though that similar feel in the mouth that I get with those.
Glass left for today.
@jhkey Still fine today, an ounce or so 20 minutes out of the fridge. A spicy cab, not dark, and maybe a bit of that spice today is a tad of heat showing through??
Oh, and nothing wood/oak stood out at all. Although I think some time will be kind to it and bring things together I thought it was a pretty well balanced wine.
I went to school with Nate. I always love seeing his wine as it has become one of the best brands I know of out of Napa. Really cool to see them on Casemates.
@CorTot@klezman@losthighwayz@MarkDaSpark@rjquillin@ScottW58 First of all I would rather take the heat issue out of the picture, not worry whether itās an issue or not upon delivery. Second of all boys/girls, Iām lazy and have boxes that have been delivered a year or two or three or more ago and the shipping carton hasnāt even been opened yet. So there! Ha!
And cheers to yaāll, another Labor Day come and gone alreadyā¦howād that happen?
Tasting Notes
The Buoncristiani O.P.C. is our Napa Valley proprietary red blend. In the quest to create a wine uniquely ours, we discovered the synergy of marrying Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah, while also folding in further complexity of texture and flavor with Napa Malbec and Merlot blenders. Grapes are sourced from some of Napaās most prestigious vineyards including Hyde, Stagecoach, Hossfeld and Bennett. Just like our winemaking fathers before us, with āOlā Paās CuvĆ©eā we four brothers continue the family tradition of handcrafting blends that help accentuate the enjoyment of life.
Vintage and Winemaker Notes
To ensure our highest standard of quality, the vineyards are managed by growers who adhere to our strict viticultural philosophy and the wines are crafted with our own hands. The components of O.P.C. were harvested and fermented separately in small batches, then carefully blended in several phases during the second year of barrel aging. This 2014 O.P.C. was aged in French oak barrels for 20 months and bottled in June of 2016.
Specifications
Price Comparison
$907.34/case at Buoncristiani Family Winery (including shipping)
About The Winery
Winery: Buoncristiani Family Winery
Founded: 1999
The Buoncristiani Brothers are bonded not only by blood, but also by a shared passion, vision, and dedication for handcrafting ultra premium wines that accentuate the enjoyment of life.
We are four young brothers - Matt, Jay, Aaron & Nate - who were born and raised in the Napa Valley from a long lineage of Italian winemakers and wine lovers. We, the Buoncristiani brothers, take pride in performing all aspects of enology, viticulture, wine production, and art design in order to share with you a true expression of our winemaking passion. Our motto is quality not quantity and we craft our wines without compromise. Handcrafting these limited production wines ourselves allows for the utmost attention to detail of every drop of every gallon in each barrel.
āThis winery merits serious attention and I hope it receives it, because it does seem to me to be a producer thatās somewhat under the radar. I immensely enjoy the wines from this winery.ā - Robert Parker, Jr., June 2015
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, September 13th - Monday, September 17th
Buoncristiani O.P.C. Napa Valley Proprietary Red
2 bottles for $89.99 $44.99/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $514.99 $42.92/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2014 Buoncristiani OPC Proprietary Red
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2014 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Napa Valley Proprietary Red - $25 = 4.62%
Nice to see a Buoncristiani offer. Iāve only tried their whites as their wines are a bit pricey overall but am tempted to grab a couple of these O.P.C.s depending upon lab rat reports and/or winery participationā¦
Even more interested after listening to Nate Buoncristianiās podcast for this offer. Lots of interesting vineyard sources, different cooperages, toast levels, etc. adding to the complexity of this blend.
@chipgreen agreed in the interest. May have to look at a (some kind of a ) split even though my wallet screams
I am interested in the wine. The label is kind of lame though. Not that labels really matter butā¦
I think Iād want expert (Peter W?) labrat reviews, and complete stats here: alcohol, pH, TA, RS, Brie at harvest, information on the type/age/toast of the oak, etc.
For me, a Parker 95 in CA is usually a red flag that a wine is very (over) ripe and fruit forward, often without the structure to age well. But, this is not exactly a Pauillac blend, and closer to his Pomerol/St Emilion wheelhouse, so who knowsā¦
@rpm Your wine advice is generally gospel to me but why would you say that this blend is more in Parkerās St Em/Pomerol wheelhouse?
Are you just indicating new-school fruity vs. old-school graphite, etc?
The blend appears to have only 12% merlot.
Could you explain what you mean by this a bit more?
@rlmanzo I did say closerā¦ But, not to quibble, youāve got me dead to rights. I was thinking more a wine that was less Cabernet and more a blend than even most California āBordeauxā blends, and you recall my oft-stated view that Parker does not have (and has never had), a clue about Cabernet Sauvignon.
Interesting factoid: Parker encomiums of the 1982 Bordeaux (made in a more approachable style in many cases in a sunny year) made his reputation, and the reputation of the vintage. David Peppercornās more jaundiced view of the aging potential of the 1982s destroyed Peppercornās reputation. Now, 35+ years on, Peppercorn looks closer to being right than Parker, but few remember Peppercorn anymore.
@rpm I agree with @rpm, would like to hear from some wine experts (like Peter, Kent, Scott, or RPM) here before thinking about pulling the trigger!! WD get those boys a bottle to Rat!!!
@rpm Me too. Plus itās always interesting to see the stats.
@rpm
How did you feel about the 2005 and 2007 vintages? He gave those a 95 and 96 iirc
Personally I think 07 is ripe as hell.
@ScottW58 In terms of Parker ratings I was thinking of particular wines rather than vintages overall, but, since you askā¦ I think the 2005 were ripe, but often very well balanced - many long lived wines, but some early faders. As Iāve started to dabble in my 2005s, Iāve been pretty happy with their development. 2007 was riper than 2005, to be sure. I have tended to buy more 05s than 07s, but very producer dependent. I was selective with 07. I really havenāt started drinking 07s. I like 2009 as well, and I think 2012 will be one of (if not) the best vintages of the first two decades of the 21st century.
@rpm
I also like the 05ās but not as great as everyone was pumping it up to be and after the 07ās I get gun shy when I hear great things like vintage of the century, time will tell. And yes great producers will make pretty good wine in all vintages IMHO.
Thanks for your thoughts I was just poking the bear
@ScottW58 the only California vintage I remember having when it was young that fully lived up to the hype was 1970 for Napa Cabernet. The best of them were certainly still alive, though beginning to fade when I last had the BV Latour a year or so ago. Iām saving a bottle for my 50th college reunion and think it will be good (though not the wine it was at 40).
Following to see what the consensus is. Goodness Iām intrigued but donāt think i can pull the trigger for a dallas case myself after doing the last Napa āblack tieā offering that just shipped.
BTW, Whatās the drinking window on this 2014 vintage??
@Boatman72 Here is the response from Nate Buoncristiani: āIt is tasting great right now and it will bottle age fro 25+ years no problem.ā
Based on my recollection of the 2010, this is most likely a very nice wine. I recall seeing the 2013 or '14 at Costco for about $55 so the price is decent. I am interested in a bottle especially if we are splitting a case.
Sorry @rpm et al. Iām thinking I shouldnāt even bother with notes but I will anyway in a bit
A bottle of this just showed up here on the east coast about 75 minutes ago. But donāt worry, I shook it up real well to integrate the sediment and itās out on the deck in the sun to get it up to proper chugging temp. Heat index is 100 degrees F so it shouldnāt take long. Back soon!
@kaolis Sounds like this will be my kind of review!
@kaolis I hope you have the right kind of styrofoam cup to properly evaluate the wine!
@chipgreen @kaolis
Red solo or gtfo.
All kidding aside, I was stoked to try this. Iāve known the name, but other than maybe a flyby taste I donāt recall ever having the wines. So with thatā¦
Bottle background: it left CA yesterday afternoon, got to my door on the SC coast today at 4:30pm. Because Iām a juggler I used the bottle along with a couple bottles of my usual go to wine, Booneās Farm Strawberry Hill, to entertain some friends, before I put it on the deck to warm upā¦(there are some Strawberry Hill reviews out there at 99 points, so Iām thinking the O.P.C. has some competition here)
Anyway, upon arrival a good inspection of the bottle. It just went coast to coast, but all is good. Bottle is cool/not warm to the touch. Cork looks as clean as a whistle, maybe 1/8" of staining. No sign of any shipping troubles.
Into the fridge, out at 5:30pm. Pulled the cork, took a whiff, the wine is sound. Temp 73.3F. Cork back in and returned to fridge. Checked again at 6:15, temp is 65.5.
At 6:45 temp is 61.8 and did a slow pour into a decanter just to get it off some very slight sediment and finally a small taste for me. Impression: this is not an overripe Parkerized wine. Not at all. I bring that up because of previous comments. I know itās in fashion for some folks to bash Parker just because. I also know he took hits for Aussie wines. I also know some of those wines have REALLY come into their own over the years. But I digress. Whatever.
Color, not opaque but a medium ruby. Canāt read through it, but not dark. Nose is quiet but I get some spice and maybe a bit of tobacco? Right now Iām getting the syrah out of it, but itās a bit of dancer wanting me to taste the cab. A bit of chocolate? But that could be the malbec or merlot.
Itās pretty even on the palate front to back, nothing sticks out, no holes. Nice finish. Tannins are smooth and easy, fruit is plentiful but kind of hiding. Nothing here screams drink now but you certainly can, but I think a few years will be nice to it. And fwiw I tend to drink my CA wines before age 10. The blasphemy right!
Oh, and the '82 Bordeaux wines that Mr. Peppercorn enjoys have a slight presence in my modest cellar. As long as we are aligning palates.
Cheers!
Edit, in itās syrah stage it kind of reminded me of a Lillian syrah but rounder as not as intense. Obviously because of the other components. And I know that may be a deal breaker for some, but it was also a mouthfeel/texture thing.
@kaolis what is the alcohol content of the wine?
@jhkey Oh yeah, sorry. Didnāt realize it wasnāt in the specs above. 14.5 on the bottle. The wine carries it just fine in my humble. And the Lillian thought was just what popped in my head at the moment. Itās no where near as big/ripe. There was though that similar feel in the mouth that I get with those.
Glass left for today.
@jhkey Still fine today, an ounce or so 20 minutes out of the fridge. A spicy cab, not dark, and maybe a bit of that spice today is a tad of heat showing through??
@kaolis Thanks for the great notes!
Oh, and nothing wood/oak stood out at all. Although I think some time will be kind to it and bring things together I thought it was a pretty well balanced wine.
I went to school with Nate. I always love seeing his wine as it has become one of the best brands I know of out of Napa. Really cool to see them on Casemates.
Any SoCal interest in a case split?
@ScottW58, @klezman, @rjquillin, @Cortot, @losthighwayz ?
@MarkDaSpark None for me. Already got hit by the madness!
@MarkDaSpark @ScottW58, @klezman, @rjquillin, @Cortot, @losthighwayz
Given the meager <5% case discount, and the reasonable rat from @kaolis, I was thinking of just getting a couple, so I could be a bit of help.
@CorTot @kaolis @klezman @losthighwayz @rjquillin @ScottW58
Well, unless some others say yes soon, I guess we will order singular.
@MarkDaSpark
No can do
@CorTot @klezman @losthighwayz @MarkDaSpark @rjquillin @ScottW58
The 2013 O.P.C. at invino right now. $39.99. Free ship on 3
And they hold shipping
@CorTot @kaolis @klezman @losthighwayz @MarkDaSpark @rjquillin
Wait!? doesnāt everybody hold shipping in summer
@kaolis @klezman @losthighwayz @MarkDaSpark @rjquillin @ScottW58 some do, some donāt. I donāt really care. If the bottles have signs of heat damage a refund is requested. Otherwise all is good.
@CorTot @kaolis @klezman @losthighwayz @MarkDaSpark @rjquillin
Thatās the spirit!
@CorTot @kaolis @losthighwayz @MarkDaSpark @rjquillin @ScottW58
Yup, thatās my plan too. The Noceto case had heat issues - got it sorted to my satisfaction without any difficulty.
@CorTot @klezman @losthighwayz @MarkDaSpark @rjquillin @ScottW58 First of all I would rather take the heat issue out of the picture, not worry whether itās an issue or not upon delivery. Second of all boys/girls, Iām lazy and have boxes that have been delivered a year or two or three or more ago and the shipping carton hasnāt even been opened yet. So there! Ha!
And cheers to yaāll, another Labor Day come and gone alreadyā¦howād that happen?
Wisconsin?
/giphy astonishing-immense-cheese
