Handpicked Regional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

In the tradition of many great Bordeaux estates, Opus One produces a fine second wine called Overture. Like the introduction of a great musical piece, Overture, the wine, presents elements of the exceptional work itself, although certainly not in its entirety or full complexity.

Since 1993, we have created Overture as a result of our highly selective process for Opus One. We meticulously cultivate each section of our estate vineyard with the attention to detail and singular focus required to produce Opus One. This diligence carries through the extensive blending process, and not all wine-lots from our estate are chosen for the final Opus One blend.

Yet, when these remaining lots are afforded additional time in French oak barrels, coupled with the added flexibility of blending across multiple vintages, the final wine, Overture, achieves remarkable elegance, complexity and approachability.

As a natural extension of the creation of Opus One, Overture’s varietal composition evolves based on the lot selections made for each vintage. Overture reflects the proportion of Bordeaux-heritage grape varieties planted on our estate: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Uniquely, Overture captures the essence of our estate across vintages; therefore the exact blend and cellar approach will always differ from Opus One.

• Assemblage :
• Cabernet Sauvignon : 66 %
• Carmenère : 24 %
• Cabernet Franc : 8 %
• Petit Verdot : 2 %

Deep, intense and brilliant ruby red colour. The nose reveals delicate aromas of red fruits and berries, such as raspberry and blackberry, which are harmoniously integrated with notes of toffee and coffee, offering a refined and distinguished nose. The elegance of the wine is underscored by its round and fresh mouthfeel. Subtle, but present tannins frame the blend, leading to a vanilla and peppery finish. Complex and luxurious, Almaviva 2016 is a remarkably graceful and silky wine, faithful to its predecessors in style and precision. Barrel Aging: 16 Months, New French Oak.

Vineyard:

• Varietals: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 5% Cabernet
  Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
• Soils: deep bed of gravel on subsoil of clay and sandstone
• Size of the vineyard: 70 hectares
• Age of the vine: 15-20 years
• Planting density: 8 000 – 10 000 vines / ha
• Average Yield: 45-50 hl/ha
• Harvest: by hand

Vinification: fermented in stainless steel and concrete temperature-controlled vats at 30°C. The vatting lasts between 20 and 25 days.

Ageing: 14 months (75 % in 12 months barrels previously used for Ch. Beychevelle and 25% in new oak)

Bottling: at the chateau

Tasting Notes: Soft, elegant and fruity with excellent depth and breed. With Amiral, the objective is to make a wine which can be drunk earlier than the Grand Vin (with more Merlot). Ideally consumed after 3-7 years of ageing.

Food Pairing: This wine will perfectly accompany flavourful (red or white) meat dishes such as grilled lamb chops, braised shanks and meat stews. Also harmonious with most cheeses like Gruyère, Comté, Cantal, Reblochon, Beaufort … (avoid Roquefort and arguably Camembert). And of course, will also easily and gracefully accompany more simpler dishes like pizza and/or most barbecued foods.

Wine Spectator: Amiral de Beychevelle 2010 (90pts) Offers a juicy feel, offering a lightly roasted cedar frame to the dark plum, blueberry and blackberry fruit flavours, with a ganache-coated finish. Approachable now, but no need to hurry. Best from 2014 through 2024. – James Molesworth