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Overture 2023 Napa Valley, Opus One Winery Mondavi/Rothschild

Ratings & tasting notes

94

Jane Anson

Inside Bordeaux

There is an ease to this wine, a beautifully unfussy juiciness that is thoroughly enjoyable, showcasing cherry bud and violet flowers, creamy without being heavy, charred sandalwood, fully benefiting from the beauty of this luscious and balanced 2023 vintage. As of 2021, Overture is fully vintage, and also more plot-driven than when it was NV, tends to be the plots closer to the river. 90% new oak. Harvest September 14 to October 16, Michael Silacci winemaking director. 07/2026


95

Colin Hay

The Drinks Business

Gorgeous, and distinctive too. We’re already in the stratosphere here. Beguiling in its florality, at the same time petally and bulby. Cornflower and peony. Violet. Intense yet delicate, aerial and lifted and very beautiful. Cedar and a little graphite. Very Mouton in Napa! Quite ample in frame, cool at the core, glistening in its purity with a lovely sheen and lustrous, velvety texture. Beady, grippy tannins shape the finish and indicate the aging potential. Impressively close to the summit, a little more liquorice. 08/2026

Description

First created in 1993, Overture by Opus One is crafted from organically grown fruit from the estate vineyards. The grapes are harvested and vinified with the same care, precision and attention to detail as Opus One itself. Following harvest, the winemaking team carefully evaluates the wines from each vineyard block and selects only those lots that express the distinctive aromatics, flavours and textures considered ideal for Overture. The result is a cellar-worthy wine with remarkable freshness, approachability and suppleness, offering immediate pleasure while also having the structure to develop with age.The 2023 vintage began with early rainfall, including a substantial storm shortly before budbreak. A total of 91.74 cm of rain fell during the growing season. Budbreak, flowering and veraison all followed the Estate’s historical averages. Summer remained cool and free from significant heat events, allowing the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly while retaining freshness and balance. Harvest began on September 14 and concluded on October 16, with the fruit arriving at a steady pace. Following 22 days of skin contact, the wine was aged for 19 months in French oak.Overture 2023 opens with aromas of blueberry, blackberry and blackcurrant, layered with sweet cedar, fresh floral notes and a subtle touch of caramel. The palate is silky and approachable, unfolding into a vibrant expression of juicy red fruit. Red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate are joined by wild strawberry and red plum, creating a generous yet precise fruit profile. Medium-bodied and finely textured, the wine is supported by fresh acidity and supple tannins. The long, expressive finish adds further depth and persistence. A beautifully balanced Overture that is already enjoyable in its youth while offering the structure and freshness to develop gracefully over the coming years.
Country: USA
Region: Kalifornien
Producer/appellation: Opus One Winery Mondavi/Rothschild
Wine type: Red wines
Year: 2023
Content: 75 cl
Organic/bio dynamic: No
Quality information: REL 2026