Team C&J
A few months ago, we had the pleasure of doing a wine tasting at the Opus One Estate in Napa’s Oakville district. It goes without saying that the wines of Opus One are legendary. These Bordeaux-inspired red blends have been popular additions to cellar collections since they were released in the early 1980s. But, at $455 a bottle, Opus One is out of reach for many wine lovers, which is why the winery introduced Opus One Overture in 1993.
Opus One Overture wine encapsulates a harmonious blend of tradition, luxury, and exceptional winemaking, making it a standout selection for wine lovers who want to experience a prestigious wine at just under half the price of the winery’s flagship bottling.
Opus One Overture is a second label wine produced by Opus One Winery, a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi. Unlike the winery’s flagship bottling, Opus One, which requires significant aging after release, Opus Overture is ready to enjoy as soon as it hits the market.
This Napa Valley Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, is a non-vintage wine that incorporates a selection of wines crafted from from different years, allowing the brand to create a consistent signature palate that fans of Opus have come to love.
Baron Philippe de Rothschild first proposed the idea of starting a new wine company with California-based winemaker Robert Mondavin in 1970, but the project didn’t come to fruition until 1979, with the first bottling of Opus One released in 1984.
It wasn’t until the early 90s that the winery explored the idea of crafting a non-vintage bottling from their grapes, and in 1993 the first bottles of Overture wine were released. Because Overture is a non-vintage wine, you will not find any dates on the bottle. Up until 2014, Opus Overture was only available to purchase at the winery. Thankfully, you can now purchase Overture from a number of high end wine retailers and on the Opus One website.
A fun fact about Opus? The winery only produces two wines: Opus One and Overture.
The grapes used to make Opus Overture are similar to those selected for Opus One. Predominantly, these include Cabernet Sauvignon (over 70%), Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. These grape varieties are classic to the Bordeaux style popular among Napa winemakers, and contribute to the complexity and balance of the wine.
The vineyards, located in the esteemed AVA of Oakville in Napa Valley, are meticulously maintained, with specific attention to sustainable farming practices – Opus is a member of the Napa Green Community. The region’s climate, characterized by warm days and cool evenings, is ideal for these varieties, allowing them to develop full ripeness and robust flavors.
Overture’s versatility makes it an excellent companion to a variety of dishes. Its robust structure and rich, layered flavors pair wonderfully with red meats such as prime rib, lamb, or venison. In fact, we brought a bottle of Overture to Michael Mina’s StripSteak in the Mandalay Bay recently, and it was a stellar pairing with the meal.
As an aside, the corkage policy at StripSteak is very reasonable, so consider that an option if you’re dining in Vegas.
Don’t think this wine is only relegated to beef, though. The subtle complexities also work with roasted pork, and earthy vegetarian dishes like Portobello mushrooms “steaks”.
Whatever food you pair with Opus’ Overture, we recommend decanting the wine for about an hour.
Opus One Overture presents a clear, deep garnet color in the glass. The expressive nose boasts of black currant, blueberry, and cherry with a touch of olive, all supported by subtle oak. On the palate, this full-bodied wine offers a supple mid-palate, bursting with dark fruit flavors of black cherry, black currant, and blueberry, complemented by savory olive and lingering notes of dark chocolate and oak. Despite its high tannins and alcohol, Overture remains approachable in its youth.
Opus Overture is a meticulous blend of multiple vintages and Bordeaux grapes, and we couldn’t have been happier with this bottle. It’s truly a testament to the quality of Opus One Winery. If you can’t get your hands on a bottle of vintage Opus One, give Overture a try. You will not be disappointed.
USA
Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon
14.5
Michael Silacci
62–68°F / 16–20°C
Large Bordeaux
1 Hour
Now to 2040
Opus One
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