Luscious, nuanced, precise, love the power and cut glass quality to the tannins, crushed cherries, raspberry, sage, nectarine, black cherries, eucalyptus, long, drawn out and great quality. Harvest began on September 5, earlier than expected after a rainy start, but an exceptional August. 20 days skin contact, 100% new oak for ageing, Michael Silacci director.

There is a confidence and an effortless quality to the winemaking at Opus, and it comes through clearly in this vintage. Expertly judged, a rich dollop of black cherry and juicy rich blackcurrant and blueberry fruit, laced with liquorice, rosebud and incense. The kick of heat is well managed and brought in line. Very good quality, tannins already have a succulence to them but it will improve with a few more years in bottle. 18 days skin contact, harvest September 19 to October 25. 100% new oak for ageing, Michael Silacci director.

Juicy, balanced, succulent, and is showing exceptionally well at this point, although has a long life ahead if you can hold back. I love the 2019 vintage in Napa and Tuscany, and here it shows its grace, balance and nuance, without compromising on depth and quality of ripe black fruits studded with sage, rosemary, pencil lead, mint leaf, eucalyptus, crushed rocks. Signature Opus, expressive and joyful but with a classicism that is hard to resist. Michael Silacci winemaker, 100% new oak for ageing.

Wonderful to check in with this 2021 again, and I am reminded that it is the grace and the beauty of this wine that make it so special. Juicy, fragrant, reserved, love the purity of the fruit character, and the joy overall. Soft splendour, filled with chamomile, lavender, cassis, blood orange, blackberry, peach pit, rose stem, cigar box, crayon and graphite. 19 days skin contact, Michael Silacci director, harvest August 31 to September 24. Second lowest rainfall in Opus history, although very few heat spikes, making the reserved winemaking style even more impressive. As I said with the 2013 in this vertical, a note on my 100 point scores - the two are extremely different, so please be aware - this is exceptional classicism where the 2013 is exceptional opulence.