Opus One 2011
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A Bordeaux-style blend from one of Napa’s most iconic estates, co-founded by Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. The 2011 vintage was a challenging, cool year in Napa, producing wines of lower alcohol, more restraint, and higher acidity compared to the opulent, sun-soaked vintages before and after. Blend typically centers on Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
Aromas & Flavors
Opens with blackcurrant, cassis, and dried cherry layered with graphite, violets, tobacco leaf, and hints of cedar and espresso. As it evolves in the glass, notes of leather, savory herbs, and cocoa powder emerge.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied compared to more powerful Opus vintages, with fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. Elegant and balanced, showing more finesse and structure than richness. The finish lingers with red and black fruits, spice, and a touch of earth.
Winemaking Notes
Aged in French oak for 18 months. The cooler season resulted in smaller yields, but a style closer to classic Bordeaux restraint rather than plush Napa ripeness.
Food Pairing
Beautiful with herb-crusted lamb, grilled duck breast, wild mushroom risotto, or aged cheeses like Comté.
Verdict
A vintage that divided critics due to its lighter profile, but for those who enjoy elegance and classical structure, the 2011 Opus One is a refreshing outlier. Drink now, though it still has a few years of graceful life ahead. Cheers!
— 10 months ago
Our first patio wine for 2020. Our favorite Chardonnay! — 6 years ago
Cloves, cherries, petrol. Soft, round easy. A great Pinot for the money. $19.99 in PA. — 7 years ago
Smoky Red Mountain Syrah. Silty on the nose. Blackberry/raspberry, Acidic and astringent. Might be better with longer decanting. — a year ago
Strong black pepper nose, with blueberry and jasmine. Wonderfully complex on the palate with dancing ripe red currants and blueberries. Amazing and delicious. Slight tannins and long, smooth finish. — 5 years ago
I am in love with this Zin and will definitely join Uncommon Palette's wine club cause they offer the BEST!!! — 6 years ago
Gorgeous. Big, round with lush fruit and lactic notes. Barrel fermented, partial malo w/French Oak. — 7 years ago
13 March 2018. Racines, New York, NY. — 8 years ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2017 San Valentino pours a slightly hazy, ruby color with medium+ viscosity and light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart, red fruit: sour Montmorency cherry, wood varnish, horse blanket, black licorice, old wood, and stony earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. One of the more wild vintages of San Valentino I’ve ever had and this bottle wasn’t quite as good as the one I had a couple years back. Drink now and enjoy what nature gave to Paolo and Giampiero. — a year ago
Fabulous! A long life ahead it of, complex, wild, personality for days. — 6 years ago
I'm a fan but Robin is not — 6 years ago
16.5/20 (91/100) Ароматы экзотических фруктов, спелых яблок и дыни, нота молочных сливок. Тельное с высокой кислотностью, немного спиртуозно. Отличное шардоне! — 7 years ago
Tasted in December 2014: Notes of vanilla, caramel, and creme brulee overlay complex apple, peach, and pear aromas. Hints of calcareous minerals. — 8 years ago
Jared Walton
Half we drank, the other half went into drunken pasta — 7 months ago