OpusOne

97/100 – A powerful wine, full of black chocolate, cocoa powder and olive paste, layers of tightly packed flavour, many consider this to be the best of the decade and it is certainly extremely powerful. Dense, smoked bacon and chocolate flavours, needs to be paired with some equally rich food, and needs to be relaxed into – definitely a wine where you need to kick your shoes off, not make any appointments for the rest of the night, and take your time. A long life ahead of it also, if you choose to wait – this would benefit from longer in bottle. 1% Malbec and 6% Petit Verdot completes the blend. 20 days skin contact (note from this point the skin contact often heads a little shorter again). A perfect vintage until rains during harvest. – Jane Anson, Decanter

96/100 – There is so much to like about the 2007 Opus One. A wine that captures the essence of the year, the 2007 is exotic, flashy and striking. Kirsch, rose petals, pomegranates and spices form a fabric of compelling beauty. The 2007 is rich, sumptuous and generous, just as it should be. Threads of striking perfume are woven throughout, adding aromatic lift and pure sensuality. Readers who like more structured wines are likely to gravitate towards vintages such as 2010, but years like 2007 offer immense pleasure and an immediacy I find impossible to resist. A sumptuous, layered finish rounds things out in stunning style. The blend is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. – Antonio Galloni, Vinous

96/100 – I loved the 2007 Opus One, which certainly brings another level of richness and opulence compared to previous vintages. Cassis, lavender, dried flowers, and cedar are just some of its nuances, and this full-bodied, deep, velvety, uber-sexy 2007 is drinking perfectly today. It shows the ripe, up-front style of the vintage while staying nicely balanced. It should keep through 2032, although there’s no need to delay gratification (2023). – Jeb Dunnuck

95/100 – Two of the strongest wines ever made at Opus One, the 2007 has terrific black currant fruit, licorice, incense, and subtle smoke, an opulent, even voluptuous mouthfeel, dazzling purity and texture, and a skyscraper-like mouthfeel. This is a sensational Opus One, with sweet tannin and impressive precision and depth. It can be drunk now or cellared for 25+ years. – Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

18/20 – Composed scarlet with some age at the rim. Lovely edge of stoniness. Very vigorous and rather bordelais in its drive. Though it’s pretty rich in the middle. I don’t think on the palate it would ever be confused with a Pauillac! Great energy. Hint of menthol. – Jancis Robinson MW