Deep garnet in color, the 2011 Opus One rolls effortlessly from the glass with expressive notes of raspberry preserves and red currant jelly, leading to hints of wild thyme, cedar, pencil lead, and lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers grainy tannins and a refreshing line to match the bright, slowly evolving red fruit layers, finishing with a real skip in its step. This is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon—the lowest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever used. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Powerful, fragrant, black tea, crayon, soy, this was a cooler year of Napa where rain fell off and on through the season, and I am totally unapologetically a fan of what they achieved here at Opus. Yes there is a touch more earthiness on the aromatics than in other vintages, and perhaps it is more European in style, but it is totally charming, totally in the sweet spot to drink right now, delicate and yet with depth, filled with raspberry, blueberry and loganberry fruits, set against sage, orange peel and tobacco leaf. Harvest September 24 to October 24, with 40% of the fruit brought it before the heavy storms in early October, and a pause of a week before restarting. Michael Silacci director. 17 days skin contact.

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. -- Antonio Galloni

All charm, with higher-toned red currant, cherry and damson plum notes that are focused and mouthwatering as they ride along lively sanguine, iron, chestnut leaf and savory threads. There’s a nice piercing aspect to the finish, which is sneakily long, as there’s still fruit in reserve, with an encore of chestnut leaf leaving a lovely echo. A textbook example of Cabernet in a cool, wet year, this could be mistaken for Bordeaux, but the DNA of Opus’ vineyard is very clear. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Drink now through 2045. - JM