Freddy R. Troya

9.4

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!
— 9 months ago

Brian Hearty

9.0

2021. Broader California appellation. 80% Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier. Perfect for some patio seafood. Floral aromas and crisp melon. — 3 years ago

Matthew W.

9.5

Brooding dark fruits, earthy with hints of sweet cigar box,. Perfect balance — 5 years ago

RJ Solovy

9.3

Almost perfect. — 8 years ago

Ivano Rizzacasa

9.0

Perfect with antipasto — 9 years ago

Sean Sassenrath

9.2

Love whisper my angel. Perfect dry rose for salads & fish. Would recommend to anyone looking for rose that's not sweet and dry on the tongue — 10 years ago

Mitja Sirk

Production La Subida, Aceto Sirk

9.5

Perfect! Wish every bottle could age as this!! — 10 years ago

with Renata Pizzulin

Lauren Fowler

9.4

Just beautiful. A touch of American oak. Vanilla. Perfect companion for Christmas dinner. — 10 years ago

Steve Mitchell

9.1

A 2012 blend consisting of 70% Zinfandel, 21% petite Sarah, 6% Carignane and 3% Mourvèdre. A rich deep ruby red color, 14.4% alcohol, dry, mind tannin that will smooth out after a few years of collecting. Paired with meatballs and it was a perfect compliment. — 11 years ago

Gary Hill

9.4

Perfect. Ready to drink. Do not wait. Open it! Went great with braised short ribs. — 12 years ago

with Laura

Pooneet K

9.3

Delicious per usual. Last had 2 years ago and this is in a nice place. Perfect with skirt steak off the grill. A treat. — 10 months ago

Bryon Sheets

9.0

Bright, fresh, lot of energy. Perfect seafood complement — 3 years ago

with Alyssa

Kyra Williams

9.8

Like peaches and cream. Perfect with food. Perfect on its own. Jean Georges. — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Tasted blind. Tawny color, translucent with amber rims. Notes of black cherry, cedar, some spice and a little barnyard floor. Sweet fruit in the mouth, with tannins fully resolved. Guessed 1955 Calon Segur. Perfect looking bottle, the cork revealed this bottle was reconditioned by the Chateau in 2000. — 8 years ago

Emre

9.0

Pale salmon pink color. Bright strawberries, cherry and citrus on the nose. Slight spritz. Very clean and easy to drink. Perfect for summer. — 9 years ago

Jim Wallace

9.3

Amazing richness wrapped in perfect finesse. — 10 years ago

Tracy Swanson

9.0

So perfect!! Deep cherry with earth and a bit of bramble! Second time enjoying a bottle of this gem! — 10 years ago

with Glenn

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.6

1989 vintage. A near perfect bottle with loads of ripe dark fruit flavors and classic Rutherford dust additions. Sweet tannins still providing structure and grip, and it's American oak treatment nicely integrated. Long, satisfying finish, where fruit, acidity and minerality comes in waves. Very, very impressive and behaving 10 years younger than it actually is. — 10 years ago

Lindsay Rodman

9.1

My favorite Sauvignon blanc - very fruity (citrus, tropical) without being overly sweet, which is perfect. Not as herbaceous/mineraly as Loire SBs. The 2014 vintage isn't as good, unfortunately.
— 11 years ago

Philip Dobrin

10

If it wasn't perfect then I couldn't tell — 11 years ago

Paul Einbund

Wine Director/Sommelier Frances

9.0

Tight and young but perfect as evah — 12 years ago

Steve Rura

9.0

Judging by the other reviews, this is underrated. Perfectly good Provence rosé. With a perfect cheese fondue on a cloudy afternoon. — 2 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Perfect condition btl from an owc that is in its prime with many yrs left showing red, black fruits, currant, cedar, leather, earth, licorice, menthol, spice box & tobacco. — 2 years ago

Anna Sangiacomo

9.6

Demi bottle & perfect split for two ! Great way to begin the evening. — 4 years ago

Mabel Hsu

9.2

Perfect with steak — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It’s officially Summer! Time for Rosé. Tempier is one of my favorite Rosés. They’re even better when you let them round out a year in bottle before enjoying. The color darkens to a slightly rustic orange color.

On the nose, some sour notes with a little funk. Sweetness and sourness in the fruits. Strawberries, tangerine, cherries, Georgia peach, nectarine skin, juicy watermelon near the rhine, unbelievably just a touch of petrol, gummy character, chalkiness and fresh pink spring flowers and pink roses.

The body is round and full for Rosé. Sweetness and sourness in the fruits. Strawberries, tangerine, oranges, cherries, Georgia peach, nectarine skin, juicy watermelon near the rhine, well ripened rhubarb, just a touch of petrol, gummy character, spice, chalkiness, perfect intensity of crushed volcanic minerals with fresh pink spring flowers and pink roses. The acidity is like a waterfall. The length, structure, tension and balance are excellent. The long, rich, elegant finish is beautiful and lasts minutes. It’s delicious!!!

Photos from our 2016 visit. Domaine Tempier tasting room and cellars, shot of our barrel tasting w/ their assistant Winemaker (a sweetheart), the digging for their additional cellar; which I imagine is now complete and the view from the Domaine entrance — 8 years ago

Deni

9.4

Absolutely amazing. Lots of good brett. Balanced and delicious. Great dark fruit aromas and flavors. So smooth. Medium high tannins and acidity. Perfect silky texture. A little funk on the nose and palate (positive). Aroma and flavors are out of this world. Leather bag full of cherries and raspberries. Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carmenere. Complex. Delicious 13.5% abv — 10 years ago

Anna Marie Dos Remedios

9.2

Perfect start to our New Years celebrations!!! Need I say more?! — 10 years ago

with Deb

Jed Rosenbaum

9.5

Green Apple at the beginning then some more mature fruit. Not a perfect balance but very nice. — 10 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.4

2002 vintage which has been a maligned Rioja vintage. This is the perfect example of producer being the trump card. Excellent as always! — 11 years ago