2021 Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley
The Opus One 2021 effuses seductive, dark-fruit aromas of crushed cassis, blackberry, and black cherry with subtle hints of violet, vanilla, and baking spices. Bright and fresh on the attack, concentrated flavors mirror the aromas and are coupled with an exceptionally plush, creamy texture in the mid-palate from the fine-grained tannins. Poignant notes of black tea, licorice, and dark chocolate on the finish.
Opus One is a member of an elite group whose members you can count on two hands: Napa Valley’s “First Growths.” It is a celebration of the relationship between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The two wine icons first met in Hawaii in 1970 where the Baron, proprietor of first-growth Château Mouton-Rothschild, first mentioned the idea of making a wine with Robert. Eight years passed, until a fateful meeting in Bordeaux sparked this monumental joint venture. Today, as ever, the wine is made entirely from Oakville fruit, including two prime parcels in the legendary To Kalon vineyard. Even beginning with such great raw materials, the fruit is still sorted meticulously by hand, ensuring only the finest fruit makes it into the fermenter. And then only the finest barrels of wine become Opus One, with the rest directed into the Overture bottling, a great wine in its own right.
James Suckling
An enticing aroma of violets, cherry blossoms, fresh blue and black fruit and great structure define this beautiful, age-worthy wine. Subtle layering of fruit and oak spices between firm, fine-grained and supportive tannins gives it a calm intensity. So elegant and polished. Hints of cinnamon and graphite accent blackcurrant and blueberry flavors that linger and grow in a long finish. Already attractive to drink, but best after 2029.
Vinous
More in the structured style of the 2018 as opposed to the voluptuous style of the 2019, the 2021 Opus One is another riveting wine from this estate. Pure cassis, graphite, chocolate, and nicely integrated oak, as well as an undeniable sense of minerality, all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, building tannins, wonderful purity and precision, and a great finish. This is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet in the making, and it's going to evolve for 20-25 years if well stored.
Jeb Dunnuck
More in the structured style of the 2018 as opposed to the voluptuous style of the 2019, the 2021 Opus One is another riveting wine from this estate. Pure cassis, graphite, chocolate, and nicely integrated oak, as well as an undeniable sense of minerality, all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, building tannins, wonderful purity and precision, and a great finish. This is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet in the making, and it's going to evolve for 20-25 years if well stored.