2022 Opus One, Napa Valley

Chocolate, cherry and rose petal aromas on the nose. Very open and alive - this has a great energy from the aromatics alone with soft cedar shavings, vanilla bean and bramble fruit. Juicy and lively, this is full of fun - fruity and concentrated. The tannins are just wonderful, creamy and slightly grippy, extending the flavours vertically. Tons of juicy, succulent fruit - this feels quite modern but still with that flash of sunshine and ripeness. Long lasting with purity and delicacy that make it so enjoyable. A wonderful creation from Michael Silacci. This is not your typical blockbuster at all, this is a darling of a wine. 0.5% Malbec completes the blend. The Opus team chose to pick early and quickly given the heat spikes in 2022, starting with the Merlot on 24th August. Ageing 18 months in French oak.

97 points GH Decanter

Generous, with savory aromas of ripe blackcurrants and fresh black cherries and a gentle texture that shows a slight nip of tannin. It is well structured and a bit tight, which is normal for a young cabernet sauvignon-based red that’s a proven collectible. Gives up graphite and pencil shavings, some cocoa and espresso. Full-bodied. Spicy, toasty oak is really showing through right now. Best from 2028.

96 points James Suckling

Few wines carry the same sense of occasion as Opus One, born from the partnership between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, bringing together Napa Valley fruit with Bordeaux inspiration. Since its first vintage in 1979, the estate has become a benchmark for polished, age worthy Cabernet blends, now guided by winemaker Michael Silacci with a focus on precision and balance.

The 2022 vintage reflects a warm, concentrated season, yet the wine retains the composure that defines Opus One. Deep ruby in the glass, the aromatics are layered and expressive, blackcurrant, blackberry and dark plum unfolding alongside violet, graphite and a touch of cedar. There is a refined oak presence, adding spice and a gentle hint of cocoa.

The palate is full bodied yet seamless, with dense dark fruit wrapped in fine, velvety tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon leads with structure and depth, supported by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec adding complexity and lift. A line of freshness keeps everything in balance, carrying through to a long, persistent finish where fruit, spice and savoury notes linger.

This is a wine that calls for equally considered food. Prime rib, slow braised short ribs or lamb with rosemary all work beautifully, as do aged cheeses where its structure and richness can shine.

Approachable with a good decant, though it is built for the long haul and will evolve over twenty years or more, gaining further layers of tobacco, earth and spice.

There is a sense of quiet grandeur here, a wine that balances power with poise, capturing both its Napa origins and its Old World inspiration.