ROBERT MONDAVI Opus One - North Coast, Napa Valley 2021 Bottle

Description

Opus One 2021 is an exceptional Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that has garnered significant acclaim, receiving 99 points from James Suckling, 98 points from Decanter, and 97+ points from Vinous. This elegant wine offers enticing aromas of violets, cherry blossoms, and fresh blue and black fruits, showcasing a firm structure. The palate features a harmonious layering of fruit and oak spices, framed by fine-grained tannins that create a calm intensity. Hints of cinnamon and graphite accentuate lingering blackcurrant and blueberry flavours. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced, it expresses sandalwood and rich spices. Aged for up to 19 months in 100% new French oak, this vintage is best enjoyed after 2029, promising an extraordinary evolution.

*****

JAMES SUCKLING 99 points
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. - Jim Gordon

VINOUS 97+ points
Drinking Window 2027 - 2046
From: Napa Valley’s 2022 & 2023 Cabernet Sauvignons - Updated (Dec 2024)
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. - By Antonio Galloni on December 2024

DECANTER 98 points
Tasted by: Jonathan Cristaldi
(at Opus One, Oakville, California, 02 Aug 2024)
Part of Napa Valley Cabernet 2021: Top wines from Oakville
Drinking Window: 2024 - 2050
The 2021 Opus One is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and half a percent each of Malbec and Merlot. It was aged up to 19 months in 100% new French oak. It's a seamless wine with balletic elegance and grace. From a deep ruby-crimson colour comes heady red and violet floral notes, sandalwood, and rich brown spices nuanced by graphite and dried sagebrush. Medium to full-bodied with ultrafine-grained tannins, almost powdery, with gorgeous cranberry and raspberry fruits and a kind of juicy, woody, crushed pomegranate seed character. You really can't believe how light and ephemeral this wine is.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 96+
Reviewed by: Joe Czerwinski
Drink Date: 2027 - 2045
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.
Published: Oct 02, 2025