Abundant dark fruit, liquorice and black cherry compliment the vanilla and cedar notes from time in top-quality French oak barrels, very specifically made for the estate in varying degrees of toast. With extended barrel-ageing, and the inclusion of back-vintages of wine, the non-vintage Overture by Opus one overture is a softer, more supple cousin to its illustrious stablemate. The immense structure of the Opus One wines cult classic requires extensive ageing before it becomes a pleasurable drinking experience the company, therefore, decided to put together a second wine which would provide an idea of what a mature Opus One might be like. A truly special release which recently, was only available from the cellar door. This unorthodox practice helps in the creation of a wine that achieves the pinnacle level of silky softness and complexity right upon release. The most unusual aspect of the Overture by Opus One however comes from being a non-vintage blend of multiple years.
The Overture is the second wine of the estates, following the Bordelaise tradition of ‘deuxième’ wines. It is revered as one of the most sought-after and finest wines in California. The One Opus is one of the very best wines we sell. It’s not a horrible wine but it is distinctly one that you are paying more for the name than anything else and, frankly, I’m done paying.The world-famous joint venture between the legendary California winemaker Robert Mondavi and the late Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Bordeaux, Opus One is based right at the heart of Napa Valley, in Oakville AVA. From Napa, there are bottles from Chappellet, Groth, Bevan, Frank Family, Moone-Tsai, Diamond Creek, Blankiet, Dominus and more that I would be happily content with having 2-3 bottles of for the price of one Opus. After trying an Opus now with more than 13 years of bottle age, I have to wonder what follows the old proverb after “Fool me thrice…”.Įspecially at the $300+ price point (with the 2004 now around $450 a bottle), I can name dozens of Bordeaux wines at or below that level that deliver way more value and pleasure.
I was very underwhelmed with both but have been told repeatedly by wine folks that “Opus needs time” and that it’s unfair to judge them with less than 10 years of bottle age. This was the third time I’ve had Opus after tasting the 2009 at an event and 2011 at the winery. The mix of oak and tobacco spice are still present and last thru the moderate length finish. The mouthfeel is the best part of the wine by far. Medium-plus acidity adds freshness and balances well with the velvety soft medium-plus tannins. On the palate those dark fruits become slightly more defined as black currants and bring an herbal element with them. A mix of dark fruits that aren’t very defined, noticeable oak spice but also some tertiary tobacco notes. Simple black currant fruit characterize this wine.
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