2021 Opus One Overture

In the tradition of many great estates in Bordeaux, Opus One makes a fine second wine called Overture. Just like the introduction to a great historical piece, the overture contains the elements of the setting itself (read Opus One), but not in its entirety. Since 1993, Opus One has been making this Overture using exactly the same selection methods. The Overture has a remarkable elegance, surprising and accessible and has a more popular grape mix than the Opus One. The Overture is a typical Bordeaux wine with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. In the nose, the Overture has beautiful black fruit such as blackberries and cherries, plums, leather and tobacco. The wood maturation integrates the flavors and fragrant and beautiful nuances of vanilla and toasted oak. In the mouth, the wine is extremely elegant with a sensual mouthfeel. A top 2nd wine from this great house.

Up until this year, the Overture was a NON-vintage wine and was made from different vintages with the advantage that the wine can be blended so beautifully that it is ready to drink sooner than its big brother, but given the beautiful 2021 year, it was decided to produce a (normal) vintage wine, so a 2021 Overture

In 2021, the vineyards experienced unusually dry conditions, with the second lowest rainfall in Opus One’s history. The vineyard team took advantage of the drought by cultivating early to avoid unnecessary competition for the limited water available. Cooler temperatures prevailed, and rain in late March arrived just in time for the slightly delayed bud break on April 7. Warmer weather in April and May allowed for ideal shoot growth, and flowering began on May 17. Reduced water led to lower than average yields, giving the fruit exceptional concentration and flavor at harvest. The summer months were very warm, but there were no prolonged periods above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Harvest began on August 31 and was steady and short, completing on September 24. The 2021 is the follow-up to the 2019. No Opus One was made in 2020 due to the wildfires.

The 2021 Overture is the first vintage-labelled bottling of Opus One’s second wine, offering fresh aromas of plum, blackberry and cherry, enriched with enticing notes of dried rose petal, forest floor and earthy minerality. Juicy and lively on the palate with distinctive flavours of blackcurrant, blueberry and wild strawberry; the wine delivers a velvety texture with powdery tannins. Subtle coffee and dark chocolate round out the long finish, accompanied by well-integrated acidity. The Overture is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon: 89%, Cabernet Franc: 4%, Petit Verdot: 4%, Merlot: 3% which have been matured for 19 ½ months in new French oak.

“It's a vintage of very high quality and small quantity” James Suckling.

“I found many wines to be truly exceptional both in terms of quality and what seems to be a more finessed approach…” Antonio Galloni, Vinous, about the 2021 vintage in Napa Valley.

“The best 2021 Napa Cabernets will age 25 to 40 years or more” Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, The Wine Independent.

FACT: In the Tab: Attachment you will find the official factsheet of this beautiful wine and some beautiful photos. We will automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount.