Napa Valley, California

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011

Opus One 2011
Napa Valley, California, USA πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ

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 ComtΓ©.

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!
β€” 6 days ago

Ira, Ted and 9 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

It was fine. Maybe a bit immature but it was unfocused and limited vs expectations. Strong tea notes. Limited fruit and more alcohol than typical. β€” 11 days ago

Tom, Jeroen and 20 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Gift from daughter. Enjoyed it very much. Very smooth. Shared with family at birthday dinner with steaks β€” 18 days ago

Robin and Dave liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2018

What a great refined wine. The 2018 Insignia opens with aromas of dark fruit, florals, and spice. On the palate, blackberry, mocha, and plum come through with a nice texture and tannins. The finish is long, savory, and elegant. Wow! β€” 2 days ago

Daniel CammarataMichael Cammarata
with Daniel and Michael
Dave, Ira and 2 others liked this

Quintessa

Rutherford Red Blend

Young wine, β€˜21, but coming around after decant. Bdx style Napa Cabs a personal fave. β€” 9 days ago

Ksenia Art
with Ksenia

Corison

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Double decant and pour(lots of sediment). A splendid medium ruby red color. On the nose: a little stewed red fruit, herbaceous, worn leather, mint, sweet smokey oak, loamy soil. Taste: smooth, elegant, savory wine with a touch of dried red fruit, dried herbs, cocoa, damp earth, minerals, and a spiced iron/meaty medium finish. YUM! Mature and on the long downside, but still drinks nicely at 28 years. β€” a month ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Dave and 16 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Wow!
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Nice!!!

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Delicious. Good amount of caymus fruit and oak but integrated well enough to deliver an outstanding wine β€” 10 days ago

Tom, Ethan and 3 others liked this

Orin Swift

Papillon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021

Ted
9.4

Always have loved the label. Ripe fresh blueberry. Soft edges. Always a winner for me. β€” 11 days ago

Jeni
with Jeni
Tom, Raul and 12 others liked this

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Very fruity on the nose and full bodied with medium minus acidity.

Dry to off dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black currants, blackberries, cooked plums, oak, vanilla, dried fruits, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, spices, light herbs and peppercorn.

Short finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 8 year old Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County is still drinking very nicely, but will not get better from this point.

Complex and easy drinking. Fruit forward with a touch of RS. Rich and extracted with a mouth coating feel.

A nice sipping wine.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50.
β€” a day ago

Ron, Tom and 10 others liked this
Ron R

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That’s a weird looking bottle πŸ‘€πŸ˜€