Opus One 2011 1500ml 6 Pack

94 POINTS

Jane Anson - Decanter

The silkiness of the tannins is striking, with nuanced blueberry and raspberry fruit that gives a wine full of light. A vintage where rain fell off and on, and overall this is a little fresher and less concentrated than many of the wines around it, but it has charm and nuance and is a lovely counterpoint, giving a sense of pace and vintage variation to the line-up, which can definitely be read as a nod to its European side. Another one where I have to admit that I find some beauty in what is a fresher style, and it's certainly one to note to begin to open over the next few years. It will still age, don't worry, this is still packed full of black tea notes and touches of black chocolate and cedar glamour. 1% Malbec, 9% Petit Verdot completes the blend, 17 days skin contact.

94 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2011 Opus One comes across as quite powerful and intense. Raspberry jam, rose petals, savory herbs and mint, all come together beautifully in the glass. The tannins are going to need a few years to soften, but the 2011 continues to develop very nicely in bottle. This is a very strong showing, especially within the context of the year. The 2011 is dark and even a bit rough round the edges, particularly when tasted alongside the surrounding vintages. The lithe, mid-weight, savory style is at times more Old World than New, yet all the elements are in the right place.

93 POINTS

Antonio Galloni MW - Vinous

The 2011 Opus One is an elegant, lithe wine. Floral and savory aromatics lend freshness to this understated, classy Opus One. Sweet red berry fruit, dried herbs, blood orange and cinnamon lend notable complexity from start to finish. I imagine the 2011 will drink beautifully for another 10-15 years, maybe more. The 2011 has softened quite a bit over the last decade.

92 POINTS

Wine Spectator

From a very cool growing season, this shows a subtle fruit profile of dried currant and damson plum flavors, with the savory edge taking the lead, along with dried sage, tobacco and cedar notes. Exhibits a sense of grain, but this remains refined in feel overall, delivering persistent perfume through the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec.—Non-blind Opus One vertical (September 2019). Drink now through 2032. 25,000 cases made.

92 POINTS

James Suckling

This is very aromatic and pretty with plum, cherry and currant aromas, plus hints of chocolate. It's full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins and a clean, fresh finish. This is a subtly fruity, juicy red with a pretty texture. Drink or hold. For early drinking. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 11% merlot, 9% petit verdot, 8% cabernet franc and 1% malbec.

91 POINTS

Stephen Tanzer - Vinous

(just 13.7% alcohol, with a relatively low pH of 3.66; 71% cabernet sauvignon, 11% merlot, 9% petit verdot, 8% cabernet franc and 1% malbec): Good full ruby-red. High-pitched aromas of blueberry, cassis, licorice, leather, violet and mint. Juicy and tightly wound, showing limited flesh today. Quite dry and precise, with an almost tart quality to the penetrating flavors of crushed blueberry, minerals, violet, mint and dark chocolate. This rather uncompromising vintage of Opus One reminded me of a Mouton-Rothschild from a cooler year. Is it just a bit pinched?

Jancis Robinson MW

71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. 17 days’ skin contact. 18 months in new French oak. Very wet winter and spring through to flowering in June. Disrupted fruit set. 45% harvested early and avoided an October storm, the rest of the harvest delayed by a week because of the storm. Looks quite evolved at the rim. Dark garnet. Not the same intensity as the others. Lively and fresh but quite different! Really rather bordelais transparency. Sinewy. Fresh but unlikely to be very long-lived. Very different from the rest of the line-up. Score: 17/20