97+

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2021 Opus One is one of the most elegant, polished Opus Ones in recent memory. Pliant and supple, with super-refined tannins, the 2021 has a ton to offer. It boasts gorgeous textural depth and resonance, not to mention superb balance. Dark red/purplish fruit, flowers, spice and mint caress the palate, framed by silky, ripe tannins that are the hallmark of a superior vintage. I can't wait to see how the 2021 develops. This is a stellar showing, certainly the best so far. 12/2024

96+

Joe Czerwinski

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

The 2021 Opus One is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, with the remaining 1% made up of Malbec and Merlot. Svelte and silky in feel, it boasts sedate, controlled aromas of cherries, cedar and sandalwood. It's medium- to full-bodied, restrained and poised, its softly dusty finish speaking to carefully managed extraction in a vintage concentrated by drought. In 2025, winemaker Michael Silacci celebrates his 25th harvest with Opus One, a wine that has arguably grown in stature under his stewardship, despite starting from a lofty position. Founded as a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Opus One now boasts its own winemaking team, vineyards and winery, while also sharing vineyard resources with Mondavi and receiving blending advice from the team at Château Mouton-Rothschild. For this tasting, Silacci and I were joined by Meghan Zobeck, newly appointed director of winemaking (previously winemaker at Burgess) and Alaina Velasquez, research manager. Velasquez's current project is attempting to isolate strains of malolactic bacteria. The winery already utilizes its own strain of yeast for primary fermentation. 10/2025

98

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

Based on 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and splashes of Merlot and Malbec, the 2021 Opus One is gorgeous and just pure class. Cassis, graphite, charcoal, lead pencil, and violet-driven aromatics all emerge from the glass. Full-bodied, layered, and concentrated, with ripe, polished tannins, it exemplifies the fresh, focused, incredibly classy style of the vintage. It's going to evolve gracefully for 30 years. Drink 2025-2055. 12/2025

99

Jim Gordon

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. 05/2024