The 2015 Opus One is a monumental showing from this iconic Napa Valley Estate. Composed of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 2% Malbec this instantly begins to impress with its seductive aromas of fresh ripe blackberries and dark currants, woven together with exotic spices and florals along side nuances of graphite, anise and loamy soil that all take shape in the glass. On the palate this is just as stunning, as it displays a gorgeous full body, with remarkable overall structure, balance and concentration, as flavors of pure ripe dark fruits and exotic spices continue to build lthrough the long, beautifully polished finish. Winemaker Michael Silacci has crafted a total gem in this vintage, and while its freshness and purity gives this immediate appeal, it should also without question have an absolutely brilliant future ahead. There is no reason to believe the 2015 won’t go on to ultimately become an all-time classic vintage from Opus One. (JD)

“This wine was too much—too much like a caricature for me,” winemaker Michael Silacci confessed to me while tasting the 2015 Opus One together again recently. “So, when we took it out of barrel to prepare for bottling we added a few more components.” Medium to deep garnet-purple color, it bursts from the glass with beautiful violets, lavender, rose hip tea and chocolate-covered cherries scents over a core of crushed blackberries, black cherries, cassis and iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is wonderfully bright and crunchy, with bags of fresh black and red berries and a wonderfully plush, finely grained texture, finishing long and fragrant. (LPB)

The 2015 Opus One is rich, sensual and super-polished. That said, 2015 has really shut down since I tasted it last year, which is probably a very good sign for the future. All of the fruit intensity and ripeness of the vintage is evident, but the wine feels a bit more compact and less exuberant than it did at the outset. Sweet floral and spice notes add a gentler touch as the wine opens up just a bit with air. (AG)