The plots closer to the river

Michael Silacci and his team pull the blocks that want to be drunk sooner: more red fruit, a softer tannin, the plots closer to the river. The 2023 sheet is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3.5% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc, and 0.5% Malbec. Twenty-two days on the skins. Nineteen months in French oak. Same rain and the same pick window as the grand vin, September 14 to October 16, and the fruit is organically grown on the estate.

If Opus One is the work itself, what is the opening for?

Anson wrote cherry bud, violet, and charred sandalwood, and she set the window at 2026 to 2045. A checked U.S. shop lists $179.94. The $380 Opus One on the other page is the grand vin.

Blueberry, then red cherry

The estate note is blueberry, blackberry, and black currant, with sweet cedar, fresh flowers, and a hint of caramel. The palate is red cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, wild strawberry, and red plum, medium bodied, with fresh acidity. Anson called it juicy rather than heavy.

Same cellar, a different selection

The harvest care is the same as Opus One. The difference is the lot. Overture takes the blocks that show red fruit, herbs, soft tannin, and a creamy texture, then spends nineteen months in French oak. The 2021 Overture already in the shop was the first vintage-dated one. This page is the 2023.

Since 1993

Overture began in 1993 as a way to pour the estate before the grand vin was ready. It used to be a multi-vintage blend. Vintage dating, from 2021, was Silacci's way of letting one season speak. The name is the opening.

Duck. Mushrooms.

A softer Oakville Cabernet wants duck, or a pan of mushrooms.