We begin the month with a fantastic new release, the 2021 vintage of one of Napa’s most famous wines, Opus One. With scores of up to 100 points from the critics, this is the latest in a long run of sublime vintages for this Napa Icon, cementing its reputation as one of the world’s great wines. Also available, for the first time as a single vintage rather than a blend, is the second wine, the Overture 2021.

If Napa had First Growths, Opus One would certainly be a contender for inclusion. Its connections with Chateau Mouton-Rothschild and 40+ years of crafting one of California’s benchmark Cabernets have made it one of the USA’s most revered wines. It’s immensely collectable and under the inspired leadership of winemaker Michael Silacci, Opus One remains a benchmark.

This 2021 is looking like a classic Opus in the making. From a brilliant vintage for Napa it hits all the right notes for Jane Anson who says it is “Precise, layered and stretched out, a brilliant Opus, concentrated and yet delicate”. “Great structure define this beautiful, age-worthy wine” for James Suckling, who gives it a near-perfect 99 points. Lisa Perrotti-Brown is just behind on 98 points for an Opus One that “delivers shimmery red, black, and blue fruit layers with a firm texture of rounded tannins and impressive tension”.

A gorgeous new release that is set to see big demand thanks to a perfect score. Do take a look and let us know if you would like to secure any.

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. (2024) www.janeanson.com Drink 2026-2042

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. (2024) www.jamessuckling.com

The 2021 Opus One is composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% each of Merlot and Malbec. It was bottled in July 2023. Deep garnet-purple in color, it comes barreling out of the glass with gregarious notions of creme de cassis, wild blueberries, and redcurrant jelly followed by hints of cedar chest, sassafras, vanilla pod, and dark chocolate plus a waft of lilacs. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers shimmery red, black, and blue fruit layers with a firm texture of rounded tannins and impressive tension, finishing long and fragrant. (2024) www.thewineindependent.com Drink 2027-2061

Vivid cherry red, medium intensity, pared back and moreish. Enticing charred plum and spiced black cherry, restrained and savoury, chalky tannins, good lift through the palate without losing the creaminess of the fruit, a dusting of cocoa powder adds a gourmet twist. 100% new oak for ageing. 2021 was a very dry vintage (2nd driest in history of Opus) but there were few extremes of temperature, and this is a delicious Overture. First one with a vintage on the label, after a few years of slowly moving that way. Impressive, easy to recommend. (2024) www.janeanson.com Drink 2024-2036