Opus One 2021

Opus One 2021 is a Bordeaux-style red blend from Oakville, Napa Valley, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2021 vintage earned a perfect 100 points from Jane Anson of Inside Bordeaux and 99 points from James Suckling, placing it among the most critically acclaimed releases in the estate's history.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Oakville AVA, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2021  |  Producer: Opus One Winery

Production & Heritage

Opus One was founded in 1979 as a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild — a collaboration that fused Napa Valley ambition with Bordeaux tradition. The estate's vineyards comprise four parcels across the Oakville AVA, with two parcels totaling roughly 100 acres within the legendary To Kalon Vineyard, complemented by the Ballestra and River parcels that surround the winery. The 2021 vintage is composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Merlot, and 0.5% Malbec, aged approximately 18 months in new French oak barrels. That heavy Cabernet Sauvignon dominance gives the wine pronounced structure, while the small supporting percentages of Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Malbec contribute aromatic complexity and mid-palate weight.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep garnet-purple in the glass, the 2021 opens with seductive, gregarious intensity — crushed cassis, wild blueberries, and black cherry surge forward first. Beneath that dark-fruit core, secondary layers of violet, lilac, vanilla pod, cedar, and baking spice slowly unfold.

Taste: Bright and fresh on the attack, the entry immediately frames concentrated flavors of blackberry and redcurrant that mirror the aromatic profile. The mid-palate is exceptionally plush, delivering shimmery red, black, and blue fruit layers carried by a creamy texture built on fine-grained, rounded tannins. There is impressive tension throughout — the wine holds weight without ever feeling heavy.

Finish: Poignant notes of black tea, licorice, and dark chocolate emerge as the palate resolves into a long, fragrant close. The tannins remain polished to the last, leaving a lingering impression of cassis and subtle sassafras.

How to Drink Opus One 2021

Serve at 60–65°F in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass. Decanting for 60–90 minutes allows the tightly wound aromatics to open fully, though the wine's generous fruit makes it approachable on release. Opus One 2021 is fundamentally a wine to enjoy on its own or alongside food — it is not a cocktail wine. Pair it with a simply grilled prime ribeye to let the tannins interact with rich fat, braised lamb shank with rosemary to echo the wine's herbal undertones, or aged hard cheeses such as Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano to complement its savory depth.

Best For

• Cellaring for long-term aging — the structure and critical pedigree suggest a drinking window extending two decades or more
• Marking a milestone anniversary, retirement, or significant life event
• Gifting a serious wine collector who values Napa Valley's top-tier productions
• Anchoring a comparative tasting of Bordeaux-style California blends against left-bank Bordeaux

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Opus One 2021 taste like? Opus One 2021 delivers concentrated black and blue fruit — cassis, blackberry, wild blueberry — wrapped in exceptionally fine-grained tannins, with a long finish marked by dark chocolate, black tea, and licorice.

How does Opus One 2021 compare to Dominus Estate? Both are Oakville-based, Bordeaux-inspired Napa Valley wines produced in limited quantities with global distribution. Dominus has historically earned higher scores from Wine Advocate, while Opus One 2021 achieved broader critical consensus across multiple publications, including a perfect 100 from Jane Anson and 99 from James Suckling.

Is Opus One 2021 good for cellaring? Yes — the 2021's firm tannin structure, concentrated fruit, and balanced acidity give it the architecture to age gracefully for 15–25 years, though it drinks well young after decanting.

Where is Opus One made? Opus One is produced at the Opus One Winery in Oakville, within the heart of Napa Valley, California. The estate draws fruit from four vineyard parcels in the Oakville AVA, including prized blocks within the historic To Kalon Vineyard.

What foods pair well with Opus One 2021? Grilled prime cuts of beef complement the wine's tannic grip; braised short ribs echo its dark-fruit depth; roasted duck breast with cherry reduction mirrors its berry intensity; aged Comté or Gruyère highlights the savory, cedar-accented undertones; and dark chocolate desserts extend the finish's cocoa character.

What sizes does Opus One 2021 come in? Opus One 2021 is available in 750ml standard bottles as well as 1.5L magnums and 375ml half-bottles, depending on market availability.

Is Opus One 2021 worth the price? Opus One positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier of Napa Valley wine, and the 2021 vintage's extraordinary critical reception — headlined by a perfect 100-point score — reinforces its standing as one of the benchmark releases in the estate's four-decade history.

Why Opus One 2021?

The 2021 vintage stands out even within Opus One's storied track record. A perfect 100-point score from Jane Anson, 99 points from James Suckling, and 98 points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown at The Wine Independent make it one of the most universally praised expressions the estate has ever released. Its fruit is sourced in part from the To Kalon Vineyard — one of the most revered vineyard sites in the entire Napa Valley — and the 93% Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend delivers a rare combination of power, precision, and aromatic generosity. For collectors and serious drinkers, the 2021 represents a defining moment for an estate that has shaped the identity of California fine wine since 1979.