Opus One 2021
Opus One 2021 was the first vintage of this great Californian wine to be awarded 100 points by Jane Anson. Founded by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, legendary owner of Château Mouton Rothschild, and the famous Napa Valley winemaker Robert Mondavi.
Vinification: With a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon than previous vintages, the harvest lasted 4 weeks. Aged for 19 months in 100% new French oak barrels.
Jane Anson's Tasting Notes: A stunning vivid plum colour, sculpted, balanced, with a ton of lift, waves of rose petals, iris and peony, soft grilled cumin, sage and white pepper spice. I love the hidden power here and the supple, slightly chalky tannins that are structured in their architecture with a precision and sculpted quality. Precise, layered and taut, a bright, concentrated and yet delicate Opus. It feels reduced and captures the spirit of the first Opus, when the conversation about what Napa could be advanced. Director Michael Silacci, 100% new oak for ageing, extremely well integrated even now.
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon 93%, Merlot 8%, Petit Verdot 6%, Cabernet Franc 6%, and Malbec 2%
Winemaker: Michael Silacci
A classical vintage that perfectly suits the Opus style. Gorgeous vivid plum colour, sculpted, balanced, with a ton of lift, waves of rose petals, iris and peony, soft grilled cumin, sage and white pepper spice. Love the hidden power here and the supple slightly chalky tannins that are structured in their architecture with a precision and carved quality. Precise, layered and stretched out, a brilliant Opus, concentrated and yet delicate. Feels pared back and captures the spirit of early Opus, when it moved forward the conversation of what Napa could be. Michael Silacci director, 100% new oak for ageing extremely well integrated even now.
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.
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.
The 2021 Opus One is composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% each of Merlot and Malbec. It was bottled in July 2023. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes barreling out of the glass with gregarious notions of creme de cassis, wild blueberries, and redcurrant jelly followed by hints of cedar chest, sassafras, vanilla pod, and dark chocolate plus a waft of lilacs. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers shimmery red, black, and blue fruit layers with a firm texture of rounded tannins and impressive tension, finishing long and fragrant.
The 2021 Opus One is absolutely gorgeous. Vibrant, layered and quite sensual in feel, the 2021 possesses the concentration and depth of years such as 2013 and 2010 but with more polished tannins. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal, mint and a touch of cinnamon open gracefully. Sweet floral notes extend the mid-palate into the finish, where silky tannins wrap it all together. The 2021 is an incredibly promising Opus One.
