At a glance

Producer

Opus One Winery

Region

Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

Bordeaux Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$350-$450 (USD) per 750ml bottle

Tasting profile

Aromatics of blackcurrant, cassis, graphite, dried violets, cigar box, cedar, tobacco leaf, and loamy earth. Palate features dark berries, sweet herbs, polished tannins, youthful freshness, and a long, harmonious finish.

Evolution: With age, tertiary aromas of truffle, leather, and dried fruit become prominent. Structure remains intact, fruit and oak integrate further.

At peak: At peak, expect seamless harmony, velvety tannins, persistent minerality, and remarkable finesse.

Structure

Acidity

Medium

Tannins

Medium-plus and finely integrated

Alcohol

About 14.5% ABV

Aging potential

25-30+ years from vintage (2011 shows finesse over raw power—will age gracefully into the early 2040s)

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2023 to 2033

Optimal window

2018 to 2033

Current status

Mature, in prime drinking window but will hold and evolve further

Current condition

The wine is drinking beautifully now with resolved tannins and layered complexity, but bottles stored under excellent conditions will age gracefully for another decade or more.

Opus One is one of Napa Valley’s most ageworthy Bordeaux-style blends. Even in a cooler vintage like 2011, the pedigree, structure, and winemaking ensure lengthy evolution. Professional and collector consensus sets peak maturity at 12-25 years from vintage, but top bottles can last 30 years or more if perfectly stored.

Food pairing

Excellent with dry-aged ribeye steak, roast lamb, rack of venison, braised short ribs, wild mushroom risotto, aged Comté or Gruyère cheese, or truffled dishes.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (90 minutes) — Decanting softens the tannins, integrates aromas, and reveals full complexity (especially for mature, high-end Bordeaux blends, even at age 10-15+).

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Opus One employs Napa Green certified sustainable farming, uses drip irrigation for water conservation, solar panels for winery energy, natural cover crops, composting, and eco-friendly packaging. Recycles glass and packaging materials. Native flora maintained to support biodiversity.

Opus One demonstrates significant sustainability efforts: Napa Green certification attests to visibile commitment in both vineyard and winery, advancing soil health, water efficiency, and wildlife conservation. The winery uses considerable solar power, and continually works to lower natural resource usage. However, absence of full organic or biodynamic certification and reliance on international shipping for a large percentage of sales prevent a top sustainability mark. Still, compared to many premium global peer wineries, Opus One scores above average in environmental responsibility.