Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2016 “UV Lucky Well” pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears and some light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with fascinating notes of ancho chilis, bruised strawberries, potpourri, licorice, leather, organic earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and spicy. True to its Russian River roots, this is an opulent expression of Pinot Noir. Not my preferred style but this was very well made and has plenty of interesting things to say. Drink now. — 7 months ago
Wow so good! Natural sparkling rosé with lotttsss of sediment. Juicy orange character makes this very drinkable. I love how inventive Portuguese wines are lately. — 3 years ago
What to say about my favorite Chateau? I’ve been lucky to have had so many vintages, starting with 1959, that I’m just tempted to say that it tastes like “old Leoville” and leave it at that….except that yesterday’s bottle of similarly aged Louis Martini Monte Rosso nudges it out by a nose…. This one has dried out more and is more astringent. But a fine bottle it is. — 4 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
The 3rd and final bottle of the 11’ vintage (a underestimated vintage IMO), and it keeps getting better. The slight green note from the previous 2 bottles is no longer present. At a great place now. While it does not have the usual richness and power, it’s impeccably balanced, fresh, seamless, and graceful, which is preferable to me.
And I can’t thinking of a better bottle to pair with Pekin duck.
Almost perfect!
— 4 years ago
Slightly lighter ruby with a wider ruby garnet rim . More reserved and cooler , more elegant , spicier fruits than the Mouton , less plush. Cassis , violet , blackberry , red cherry , roasted red pepper , grafite and oyster shell . Quite detailed and mineral. On the palate this is finer boned and elegant with refreshing acidity , cassis , tobacco , grafite and that briny , sea shell note . Saline and very fine , but also very noticable tannins on the palate , long grafite , tobacco , cassis tinged finish . This comes across as very classic Lafite , with drier , cooler fruit; more introvert than the extrovert Mouton. It doesn’t shout, there is no need , its refinement and pedigree are clear to all. Still young but beginning to show some development, better in 5-10 years and will last well another 10-20 , and being Lafite , perhaps even longer . As an aside this was paired with seared duck breast , port wine sauce and roasted figs , a combination that really worked with the wine , it was just a fantastic combination. — a month ago
Very much ‘No Girls’ in that this tells exactly you what it is and how it’s feeling. Feed it simple comforts and it’ll love you forever. Interesting and earnest, if uncomplicated.
Very approachable young while showing the Cayuse funk kiss. This is going to enter my rotation of burger wines. — 4 years ago
Lee Pitofsky
The most showy bottle I’ve had of this wine, 95 Mouton is in a terrific place, and an absolute classic, with Paulliac power and concentration, fine grained tannins and hugely persistent finish. Fantastic with the legendary EMP duck! — 3 days ago