Ristorante Solferino — 4 months ago
Deep Ruby with aromas of blue and black fruit, spice and oaky notes. Blend of mostly Cab Sauv, with Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot & Malbec and aged in French oak (about 75% new) for almost 2 years. On the palate flavors of blackberry, blueberry and plums with sweet spice, oak, cacao and earthy notes. Well balanced, good acidity and fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco and tobacco spice. Delightful! — 2 years ago
Enjoyed 2019 vintage on April 4, 2021 — 5 years ago
Not too bad. Slightly sweet. — 2 years ago
A very interesting merlot. I taste vanilla, Carmel, and a light hint of leather. Smoother with less noticeable tannins than most merlots. A very enjoyable wine. — 3 years ago
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!
— 2 months ago
This was served during my annual WWC hosting. Typical format of sparkler, three whites, four reds, one dessert, all served blind.
Poured alongside the 2003 Mondavi VHR as a comparison. 60 cab/40 merlot.
Decanted an hour. The similarities between this and the ‘03 Mondavi VHR the first hour was shocking…even as the host, I wondered if I switched the wines. Slight hint of brett but certainly not overpowering. Leather, herbs de Provence, sweet vanilla pipe tobacco, graphite up front aromatically. Dark roast mocha, red and black berry fruit, cassis, really nice vein of acidity and tannin. This remained unchanged during the lunch. Seems like it’s in a peak window (maybe close to the top?) where I imagine it will hold another 5-7yrs easily before turning more tertiary. — 2 years ago
Was able to get my hands on another ‘10, deep Ruby inky with black fruit aromas, oak and spice notes. A blend of 88% Cab Sauv, 7% Cab Franc, 4% Merlot & 1% Malbec, aged in French oak for about 24 months. On the palate flavors of ripe blackberry & blueberry flavors with sweet spice, notes of tobacco. Good balance and acidity, had fully developed tannins. This full-bodied wine had a medium+ finish, smooth, ending with leathery stewed fruit character, nice but no more Wow! Drink up, still enjoyable! — 5 years ago
Des Adams
Beaver lake beer wine and spirits "cooking" wine sale $5 — 2 days ago