A standout vintage despite a rollercoaster growing season, the 2010 Opus One is a masterclass in elegance and resilience. It bursts from the glass with aromas of blackcurrant, rose petals, and espresso, underscored by subtle earthy and herbal notes. The palate is rich yet composed, offering dark fruit, licorice, and chocolate wrapped in velvety tannins and a fresh mineral lift. With its poise, layered complexity, and aging potential, this wine is both expressive now and built for the long haul.

The Wine Advocate | RP 96
Published: Oct 31, 2013
Drink: 2013-2033

A glorious perfume of sweet charcoal, truffle, black currants and spice box soars from the glass of the saturated purple-coloured 2010 Opus One. The gorgeous aromatics are followed by a beautifully knit, full-bodied red blend (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.5% Merlot, 5.5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec) displaying lots of spicy black currant fruit, medium to full body, velvety tannins, and not a hard edge to be found. The texture, length and richness are all impressive. This estate has been making great Cabernet-based wines for nearly a decade ... and this is another one. Drink it over the next 20 years. 

James Suckling | JS 96
Published: Jun 10, 2014

One of the best ever from Opus, it shows beautiful blackcurrant cabernet sauvignon character. A powerful and poised wine with well-crafted tannins. Needs about four years to soften.

Decanter | D 95
Published: Sep 14, 2019
Drink: 2021-2040

Very much a young wine in its primary stage, this is silky and powerful and tasted excellent during this vertical, despite 2010 being an extremely difficult vintage for winemaker Michael Silacci. The year got off to a cool start, followed by a heatwave - the grapes at Opus escaped the shrivelling that much of Napa saw because of leaf cover. There are still plenty of signposts towards a hot summer - olive paste, rosemary, garrigue and liquorie notes, gorgeous ground coffee bean edging, and an excellent layer of freshness that picks things up on the finish and stops it being overly powerful. I like years in Napa that have a little fault in them - too much perfection with the natural generosity of Napa can make for an overly powerful wine, and I celebrate the nuances here. 1% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 19 days skin contact.

Opusonewinery.com

The 2010 vintage will be remembered as a uniquely demanding year with unseasonably cold days, untimely rainfall, and surprisingly hot days. Having left a sufficient number of leaves on the vines, our grapes avoided sunburn from late season heat assuring the success of the vintage. Harvest began on September 23 and concluded on October 23.

Aromas of blackberry, rose petals, chocolate and espresso accentuate fruity and earthy nuances. Round velvety tannins enrobe a silky texture with a touch of minerality. The flavors of dark fruit are enhanced by the well-integrated acidity. The acidity and tannin structure promise a very long life ahead.

Technical Specs

Alcohol: 14.50%
Closure: Natural Cork
Harvest: 23 September – 23 October 2010
Oak: 18 months in 100% new French oak
Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon 84%, Cabernet Franc 5.5%, Merlot 5.5%, Petit Verdot 4%, and Malbec 1%
Winemaker: Michael Silacci

Serving Temperature: 16–18°C

Decanting: Decant for approximately 1–2 hours before serving to allow the wine to open and reveal its full aromatic complexity. For a well-stored mature magnum, gentle decanting is recommended to separate any sediment while preserving its delicate tertiary character.

Food Pairing: Excellent with premium grilled or roasted red meats, beef tenderloin, lamb, venison, roasted duck, truffle dishes, and richly flavoured hard cheeses. Particularly well suited to grilled Wagyu or a classic beef tenderloin with mushroom or truffle sauce.