Ratings & Tasting Notes:

99 points James Suckling

Extremely perfumed and beautifully floral, the expressive nose shows elegant layers of lavender, lilacs, and violets alongside sweet blackberries and blackcurrants. The full-bodied palate is wonderfully balanced and refined, bolstered by an exquisite structural polish. The finish extends brilliantly for minutes, indicating that “the quality of tannin is exquisite with wonderful polish and refinement.” James Suckling, November 2021

98 points Wine Advocate

A majestic and deep garnet-purple colored red, this wine soars out of the glass with intense notes of boysenberries, black plum, and warm cassis. The medium- to full-bodied palate is packed with tightly wound layers of crunchy dark fruits, exceptional acidity, and an intricate, fine-grained structural support. It closes with a beautiful lift, concluding with “fantastic freshness, finishing with lifted fruitiness and on a lingering mineral note.” Lisa Perrotti-Brown, August 2021

97 points Jeb Dunnuck

Leaning into the beautifully vibrant, fresher side of this spectacular vintage, this expression delivers an utterly classic style full of crème de cassis and blue fruits. Complex notes of lead pencil, candied violets, and chocolate nuances sit effortlessly on a seamless, medium- to full-bodied framework. It displays a stunning Pomerol-like elegance and purity, moving forward with “wonderful tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish.” Jeb Dunnuck, August 2021

Cult Wines International Notes:

Opus One remains the ultimate, historic monument to transatlantic collaboration, born from the groundbreaking 1978 vision of Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Napa Valley pioneer Robert Mondavi. Based in the heart of Oakville, this legendary estate is globally revered for applying rigorous, first-growth Bordeaux precision to the sun-drenched, world-class terroir of Napa Valley. Operating with an uncompromising commitment to quality, winemaker Michael Silacci guides a meticulously orchestrated gravity-flow cellar and multi-faceted block blending process to build the estate’s signature profile. The 2018 release stands as a brilliant modern testament to this mastery, consisting of an elegant blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec, all matured flawlessly for 17 months in 100% new French oak to achieve an exceptional balance of structure and luxury.

The 2018 growing season in Oakville was an absolute dream, universally celebrated as a textbook benchmark of steady, moderate conditions across Northern California. Following a wet winter that provided deep soil hydration, a mild and serene spring set the stage for an immaculate, undisturbed flowering and fruit set. The entire summer progressed without any major or disruptive heat spikes, allowing the estate’s blocks to enjoy an unhurried, extended hangtime that fostered exceptional skin phenolics and pristine structural acidity. For the first time in the winery’s history, the team introduced 80% wild yeast fermentation, taking advantage of the naturally pristine quality of the fruit. Harvesting extended calmly throughout September and into early October under flawless skies. The 2018 Opus One emerged from this golden vintage as a timeless, finesse-driven masterpiece, seamlessly marrying a seductive bouquet of black cherries, white pepper, and rose petals with an incredibly polished, silky mouthfeel.