Opus One - Overture N.V.

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

Dry and mildly acidic, this Napa Valley gem comes in a deep blood red color, suggesting at its bold taste.

Floral and sweet on the nose, the Opus One Overture gives notes of oak, vanilla, and chocolate, with hints of dark berries and smoke.

It has a beautiful, elegant and velvety texture on the palate, almost silky. This Bordeaux grape blend deserves a place on your shelf, no doubt.

PREPARATION AND PAIRINGS

This California wine shines when paired with cheeses like munster, smoked gouda, cheddar, or manchego.

But the tannins in this wine smooth out beautifully with red meats. We suggest a sumptuous slow roast spiced lamb shoulder. The fattiness of the meat, combined with the spices used for roasting, plus the richness of your Opus One Overture? That is a feast fit for royalty, right on your dinner table.

BREAKING BARRIERS

Opus One is a single wine, sourced from the estate vineyards of Oakville. The first premium California wine to be sold in Europe, it’s also one of the original “Cult Cabernets” that gained a sizeable following. To this day, it remains the most expensive Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wine produced in the Napa Valley.

A starry collaboration in the 1970’s between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi, two highly respected figures from Bordeaux and the Napa Valley, the Opus One was first released in 1979. It gained particular attention, though, when a singular case of it sold for $24,000 in 1981, at the First Napa Valley Auction. It was released for the public market in 1984.

True to Bordeaux traditions, they released a second wine—the Opus One Overture, in 1993.

Storage Instructions

Store unopened red wines in a cool, dry, and dark place safe from constant vibration. Keep your bottle horizontal in a wine rack or cellar to retain the moistness of the cork. The ideal temperature for storage is between 16 to 18°C. Once opened, a bottle will be good for 3 to 5 days standing upright in the refrigerator.