2021 Opus One, Napa Valley (100 pts, JA)
Our Autumn Place de Bordeaux offers begin with 2021 Opus One, offered at £1,500 per six in bond and with 100 points from Jane Anson. The first new vintage since the 2019, with no release in 2020 following the forest fires in California, the '21 is priced below other recent releases on the market and is sure to be in demand.
Founded in 1978, Opus One was a collaboration between the Rothschilds of Mouton-Rothschild and Robert Mondavi. Philippe Sereys de Rothschild is still a director, though ownership of Mondavi has passed to a large wine brand owner.
We recall visiting Opus One in Oakville in the late nineties, when all the talk in Napa winemaking was about 'extended hang-time', i.e. leaving the grapes on the vine for as long as possible, to achieve a super-ripe style. Winemaker Michael Silacci joined in 2001 from Stag's Leap, having worked with Warren Winarski, another long-time exponent of restraint and elegance. Under Silacci, Opus One has gone from strength to strength.
Fast-forward twenty years to when we attended a wine conference in San Franciso and the winemaking scene had evolved enormously, with a new focus on freshness and balance. The style of Opus One has moved with the times, but the essence has remained the same; a Médoc-style wine to rival the First Growths, with all the advantages of the Californian climate.
Anson describes this new release as a 'classical' vintage, a dry year but with no excessive heat spikes. Jeb Dunnuck and James Suckling both award it a potential 99 points. Availability is extremely limited, so please let us know straight away if you would like to order.
We will be offering more wines from the Autumn Place de Bordeaux releases, you can read more about this fascinating marketplace on our blog post, here.
Offered en primeur, available in spring 2025.
| RED | 2021 | Opus 1 | 75cl | £1,500 per case of 6 | Opus 1 2021 / / 75cl £1,500 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"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. 97 points" Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com------"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. 96-99 points" Jebdunnuck.com------"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. 99 points" jamessuckling.com------"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. 100 points" janeanson.com |
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