2021 Opus One ‘OVERTURE’ Napa Valley Red Blend

$179.00

93
D
93
JA

Discover the 2021 Opus One ‘OVERTURE,’ now offered as a vintage-specific bottling for the first time. This release captures the essence of a single growing season, showcasing Opus One’s renowned craftsmanship. With rich complexity, refined tannins, and layers of dark fruit and spice, this wine is perfect for both immediate enjoyment and aging. Whether you’re a connoisseur or new to fine wine, the 2021 Overture offers a rare opportunity to experience Napa Valley’s winemaking excellence. Don’t miss out—order your bottle of 2021 Opus One ‘OVERTURE’ today and savor this next chapter in Opus One’s legacy.

18 in stock

Decanter – 93 Points

The first time specific blocks have been used for this wine. Dark forest berry notes on the nose with perfumed elements and notes of milk chocolate. Supple and agile, generous with textured, slightly grainy tannins that are so pleasant – expansive and round in the mouth. It’s well built and very approachable with blackcurrant and black cherry flavours on the palate. Concentrated, deep and layered but still with elegance. Extremely characterful. A blend of the 2018 and 2019 vintages with 18 months ageing in French oak barrels. 1% Petit Verdot completes the blend. DRINK 2023-2031.” Jul/2022 —Georgie Hindle | decanter.com

Jane Anson – 93 Points

Vivid cherry red, medium intensity, pared back and moreish. Enticing charred plum and spiced black cherry, restrained and savoury, chalky tannins, good lift through the palate without losing the creaminess of the fruit, a dusting of cocoa powder adds a gourmet twist. 65% new oak for ageing. 2021 was a very dry vintage (2nd driest in history of Opus) but there were few extremes of temperature, and this is a delicious Overture. First one with a vintage on the label, after a few years of slowly moving that way. Impressive, easy to recommend. Aug/2024 —Jane Anson | janeanson.com

Description

The 2021 Opus One ‘OVERTURE’ Napa Valley Red marks a significant evolution for this esteemed wine, as it is the first time Overture is being offered as a **vintage-specific bottling**. Unlike previous releases, which were crafted as non-vintage blends from multiple harvest years, this 2021 edition is sourced exclusively from a single growing season. This shift allows the 2021 Overture to present a more focused and distinctive expression of Napa Valley’s unique terroir and the vintage’s specific growing conditions.

By moving to a vintage-specific model, Opus One has amplified the clarity and character of this wine, highlighting the exceptional quality of the 2021 growing season. The decision to feature a singular vintage reflects the winery’s commitment to continuously evolving and refining its winemaking approach. This change results in a more precise narrative of the vintage’s weather, vineyard performance, and the subtle nuances that differentiate one growing year from another.

With this 2021 bottling, Opus One has taken Overture to new heights, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the wine with a renewed sense of place and time. This vintage-specific release promises a deeper connection to Napa Valley’s winemaking legacy, while still delivering the approachable and versatile character that Overture is known for.

Opus One’s Overture, initially released as a non-vintage wine, was introduced as a more approachable expression of the famed winery’s Bordeaux-style blends. Unlike Opus One’s flagship wine, Overture had always been crafted using multiple vintages, allowing for a consistent and balanced profile from year to year. It was intended to be a versatile wine, approachable both in its youth and with the ability to age gracefully, offering a softer, rounder counterpart to the more structured and powerful flagship Opus One.

Overture is rooted in the same meticulous winemaking and vineyard sourcing that define Opus One, with grapes handpicked from the same prized vineyards in Napa Valley. Traditionally, it was composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with smaller percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, reflecting the Bordeaux-style that defines Opus One’s identity.

In 2021, Opus One made a historic shift by releasing **the first-ever vintage-dated Overture**, marking a significant evolution for the wine. The 2021 Overture is a blend of **89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Merlot**, showcasing the exceptional character of that particular growing season. This change allows for a deeper expression of a single vintage, giving wine lovers a chance to experience Overture with greater specificity and connection to the vintage’s unique growing conditions.

The decision to release a vintage-specific Overture was driven by Opus One’s desire to highlight the distinct qualities of its vineyard during a particular year, further aligning Overture with the philosophy of vintage expression that guides its flagship wine. The 2021 bottling reflects the winery’s commitment to innovation while staying true to its roots of crafting balanced and elegant Bordeaux-inspired wines.

By offering a vintage-dated Overture, Opus One provides enthusiasts a new way to engage with its wines, offering a window into a singular harvest while maintaining the approachability and elegance that has made Overture a favorite among collectors and casual drinkers alike. This landmark release underscores Opus One’s continual pursuit of excellence and innovation in Napa Valley winemaking.

Professional Reviewer

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The Wine Advocaterobertparker.com WA
Wine Spectatorwinespectator.com WS
James Sucklingjamessuckling.com JS
Wine Enthusiastwinemag.com WE
The Wine Independentthewineindependent.com TWI
Allen Meadows —Burghoundburghound.com BH
Connoisseur’s Guide to California Winecgcw.com CGCW
Wine & Spiritswineandspiritsmagazine.com W&S
The Tasting Paneltastingpanelmag.com TP
Antonio Galloni —Vinous Mediavinous.com VM
Jancis Robinsonjancisrobinson.com JR
Stephen TanzerInternational Wine Cellar — IWC
Jeb Dunnuckjebdunnuck.com JD
Decanter Magazinedecanter.com D
Jane Anson —Inside Bordeauxjaneanson.com JA

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Wine & Spirits (W&S) • Wine Reviews with a Focus on Food Pairings and Sustainability •

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Antonio Galloni, Vinous (VM) • Comprehensive Wine Reviews and Educational Resources •

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Jancis Robinson (JR) • One of the World’s Most Respected Wine Writers •

Jancis Robinson is an internationally recognized wine critic, writer, and author. Her website, JancisRobinson.com, is one of the most comprehensive online resources for wine reviews, covering regions from around the globe. Robinson’s tasting notes are widely respected for their clarity and depth, and she is known for her encyclopedic knowledge of wine. In addition to wine reviews, Robinson is the author of several influential books, including “The Oxford Companion to Wine,” which has become a cornerstone of wine education. Visit Jancis Robinson for expert wine reviews.

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar (IWC) • No-Nonsense Wine Criticism •

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Jeb Dunnuck (JD) • Wine Critic with a Focus on Rhône and California Wines •

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Decanter Magazine (D) • A Leading British Wine Publication •

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