Opus One Napa 2003

Deep plum colour, as with so many of these it is deep and inviting but retains nuance. In the sweet spot for drinking, not as concentrated as some, waves of tobacco and autumnal leaf, white pepper and fennel, cranberries, sage and loganberry fruit, with grilled almonds. Soft landings but moreish and mouthwatering. 100% new French oak for ageing, harvest September 17 to November 2. The yields here were the highest of the decade, cropped at 5 tons per acre instead of the usual 4 ton. This was the last vintage where the families were directly involved in the blending, and the last one with Patrick Leon and Tim Mondavi as co-winemakers.