Opus One Napa Valley Red 2021 750ml

Opus One began as a joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton-Rothschild, and it makes one grand vin each year in Oakville, Napa Valley. Michael Silacci is the winemaker.

2021 was unusually dry, with the second-lowest rainfall in the estate's history, and harvest ran quickly from August 31 to September 24. The blend is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and half a percent each of Merlot and Malbec. It had 19 days on the skins, then 19½ months in new French oak.

Cassis, blackberry and black cherry lead, with violet, vanilla and baking spice. The palate is creamy and plush, and fine-grained tannins carry black tea, licorice and dark chocolate into a long finish.

Against Tignanello 2020, Opus One is the Cabernet-led Napa icon; for a landmark bottle to cellar for decades, choose Opus One.

It drinks now but has the structure to reward years in the cellar. If you open it young, decant it for an hour or two and serve it with prime rib or lamb.

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