- Opus One 2021 has been released at € 250 per bottle ex-négoce and £3,000 per 12×75 internationally.
- Antonio Galloni awarded the 2021 97 points, his joint-highest score for Opus One over the past decade
- While today’s release may provide reasonable value to buyers, there are other similarly rated and priced options in back vintages.
The 2021 vintage of Opus One has been released at € 250 per bottle ex-négoce via La Place de Bordeaux. This is 2.0% above the release of the 2019. The wine is being offered internationally at £3,000 per 12×75.
The 2020 wine harvest in Napa Valley was heavily impacted by devastating wildfires. As a result, many producers, including Opus One, elected not to release their 2020 vintage via La Place. In place of releasing a 2020 wine last year, Opus One opted for a library release of their 2018 and 2019 vintages. The wines were re-released at £3,300 and £3,192 respectively – 10.0% and 6.4% above today’s release price. Since then, both have drifted and are currently available at a Market Price of £2,997. The 2018 vintage last traded at £2,922, and the 2019 at £2,700.
Today’s release presents similar value to the 2019 and 2015 vintages.
Critical response
According to Antonio Galloni (Vinous) the 2021 Opus One is ‘absolutely gorgeous. He likens the depth of the 2021 vintage to the 2013 and 2010, but adds that this more recent release has ‘more polished tannins’. He awarded a score of 97 points, his joint-highest of the past decade
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (Wine Independent) awarded the wine 98 points, praising its ‘impressive tension’ and ‘long and fragrant finish’.
Pricing analysis
According to the Liv-ex Fair Value Methodology, Market Prices of Opus One are more strongly correlated with age than with scores from any major critics. Since the wine tends to appreciate with age, younger vintages present an interesting investment opportunity (see more details in a recent Market Update here).
Today’s release falls below the regression line and, especially given its impressive critical response, may provide good value to buyers.
As shown in the chart below, the 2014 and 2015 vintages fall comfortably below the Fair Value regression line, and represent good value. Obtaining a score of 97 points from both Antonio Galloni and Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, buyers may opt for the 2015 vintage.
Liv-ex analysis is drawn from the world’s most comprehensive database of fine wine prices. The data reflects the real-time activity of Liv-ex’s 620+ merchant members from across the globe. Together they represent the largest pool of liquidity in the world – currently £100m of bids and offers across 20,000 wines.
