Starts with tons of rich new oak in the aroma, showing the most inviting notes of cedar, cigar box and pencil lead that segue to the remarkable fruit. The attack is powerful, with a punch of cassis spreading broadly and deeply across the palate. With its sturdy, clean tannins, this beautiful wine displays classic power, elegance and balance.

Currants, mint, flowers, and licorice in the nose. Medium to full bodied, with elegant tannins and an after taste of currants, cassis, and sandalwood. Fresh and sophisticated, with lovely intensity and juicy fruit. Open one tonight and see for yourself.

The 2001 Opus One showed beautifully, with mature yet complex notes of ripe dark fruits, tobacco, lead pencil, and truffly earth. Very Bordeaux-like aromatically as well as on the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, has firm, focused, yet ripe tannins, a terrific sense of elegance, and outstanding length. It’s a classic, impeccably made, fully mature Napa Valley Cabernet to enjoy over the coming decade.

Dark crimson with a pale rim. Full-on, very ripe nose. Already quite a ‘sweet’ impression. Very very full and sweet, black cherries and even a note of coconut. Big and bold. Seems more approachable than some of the older vintages. Very much in the California idiom. 17/20

Performing better than it did eight years ago, the 2001 Opus One reveals a classic, French-like style with notes of cedar wood, melted licorice, black currants, roasted herbs and tobacco leaf. While not one of the stars of the vintage, it is a medium to full-bodied, outstanding effort that has reached full maturity. It should continue to drink well for another decade or more. - Robert Parker

Scents of red currant red licorice wild berry sage and fresh earth fold together nicely in this ripe intense tightly wound young Cabernet. Well-focused deep and complex with dry earthy tannins on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2010. Tasted twice with consistent notes. 20500 cases made. (JL)