Opus One 2022 Napa Valley 750ml

Opus One remains one of the most historically consequential wines in California — the realized dream of Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi, born from a partnership formed after a chance meeting in 1970. The estate vineyards, all in the western portion of the celebrated Oakville AVA, comprise four parcels: two totaling 100 acres sit directly within the renowned To Kalon Vineyard, complemented by the combined 70 acres of the Ballestra and River parcels that surround the winery itself. Winemaker Michael Silacci continues to guide every vintage with the same founding commitment to hand-harvesting and traditional practices wherever they serve the wine best, adopting modern technique only where it genuinely improves the process.

2022 was a genuinely demanding vintage, and the fruit for this wine was picked before, during, and after an early September heat spike — conditions that gave the finished wine, per Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, "a ripe, extroverted personality but also a slightly open-knit, coarser mouthfeel than either the 2021 or 2023." The final blend runs 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 0.5% Malbec. Despite the challenging conditions, the critical reception has been genuinely exceptional across the board.

James Suckling awarded 96 Points, calling it "generous, with savory aromas of ripe blackcurrants and fresh black cherries and a gentle texture that shows a slight nip of tannin," noting it's "well structured and a bit tight, which is normal for a young cabernet sauvignon-based red that's a proven collectible," giving up "graphite and pencil shavings, some cocoa and espresso," with "spicy, toasty oak really showing through right now," recommending it be enjoyed "best from 2028." Jane Anson matched that score at 96 Points, describing it as "smoky, fragrant" with real depth. The Wine Independent scored it 95-97 Points, tasted as a barrel sample, finding it "deep garnet-purple in color," soaring "with eager-to-go notes of blackcurrant pastilles, juicy blackberries, and plum preserves leading to hints of crushed rocks, tree bark, and Sichuan pepper," the full-bodied palate "concentrated and impactful, with a firm line of ripe, grainy tannins and bags of black fruit preserves layers, finishing with loads of savory nuances and a compelling lift." Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded 95 Points, finding "rosemary and sandalwood notes" accenting "cherries on the nose," the palate "medium- to full-bodied," "expansive and plush, finishing with ample length and soft tannins." Owen Bargreen called it "a brilliant wine from a challenging vintage," with "kirsch, red florals and dark currants" combining "with damp loamy soils and red bell pepper notes on the nose," the palate "plush and polished with serious texture" — "a sensational achievement in 2022, this has to be one of the great wines from the vintage," recommending a drinking window of 2025 through 2040. The winery's own tasting notes describe a "captivating bouquet of blueberry, cassis, and dried rose petals," layered with "savory hints of olive, cigar box, and graphite," the palate delivering "bright red-fruit flavors, cocoa, and fresh orange peel" gliding "seamlessly across fine-grained tannins." This is genuinely serious, historically significant Napa Valley wine — a challenging vintage handled with real skill.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Opus One was founded as a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac, France, and Napa Valley vintner Robert Mondavi, formed after a chance meeting in 1970 and dedicated from the outset to a single wine built around uncompromising quality. The estate's vineyards comprise four parcels in the western portion of the Oakville AVA: two totaling 100 acres within the renowned To Kalon Vineyard, complemented by the combined 70 acres of the Ballestra and River parcels surrounding the winery. Hand-harvesting and traditional viticultural approaches are used wherever they serve the wine best, with modern techniques integrated only after careful research and evaluation.

The 2022 vintage is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 0.5% Malbec, crafted under winemaker Michael Silacci. Grapes were picked before, during, and after an early September heat event that shaped the vintage's ripe, extroverted character.

Critics Reviews

James Suckling — 96 Points:
"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."

Jane Anson — 96 Points:
"Smoky, fragrant..."

The Wine Independent — 95-97 Points:
"The 2022 Opus One was tasted as a barrel sample. Deep garnet-purple in color, it soars with eager-to-go notes of blackcurrant pastilles, juicy blackberries, and plum preserves leading to hints of crushed rocks, tree bark, and Sichuan pepper. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and impactful, with a firm line of ripe, grainy tannins and bags of black fruit preserves layers, finishing with loads of savory nuances and a compelling lift."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate — 95 Points:
"Picked before, during and after the year's early September heat, the 2022 Opus One—a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 0.5% Malbec—admirably reflects the vintage, boasting a ripe, extroverted personality but also a slightly open-knit, coarser mouthfeel than either the 2021 or 2023. Rosemary and sandalwood notes accent cherries on the nose, while the medium- to full-bodied palate is expansive and plush, finishing with ample length and soft tannins."

Owen Bargreen:
"The sensational 2022 Opus One is a brilliant wine from a challenging vintage. Kirsch, red florals and dark currants combine with damp loamy soils and red bell pepper notes on the nose. The palate is plush and polished with serious texture with serous poise and body. A sensational achievement in 2022, this has to be one of the great wines from the vintage. This is remarkably good to enjoy now." Drink 2025-2040.

Tasting Profile

Nose
A captivating bouquet of blueberry, cassis, and dried rose petals unfolds, layered with savory olive, cigar box, and graphite. Blackcurrant, fresh black cherry, and kirsch add further depth, alongside rosemary, sandalwood, and damp loamy soil.

Palate
Bright red-fruit flavors, cocoa, and fresh orange peel glide across fine-grained tannins. Full-bodied and concentrated, with blackcurrant pastille, blackberry, and plum preserve layered against crushed rocks, tree bark, and Sichuan pepper, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins.

Finish
Long and savory, closing with graphite, pencil shavings, cocoa, and espresso, alongside spicy, toasty oak — a compelling, plush finish with real length and soft, polished tannins.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Grilled or roasted red meat
• Aged hard cheeses
• Rich, savory braises
• Dark chocolate desserts