Overture By Opus One M V

Baronne Philippine de Rothschild

Pastourelle de Clerc Milon Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Somm David T
9.2

Back @BalancesRestaurant - Lucerne. Yes, it is that good.

A little backstory on this 2nd wine of Clerc Milon. This was made by my friend Jean Danjoy. He was the Asst. Winemaker at Opus One for 10 years before making the decision to go back to Bordeaux to redesign the winemaking facilities at Clerc and making his first vintage, 2009. A grand Bordeaux vintage to make his first Clerc Milon. He now overseas all the Rothschild properties, including Mouton. He is uber talented and perhaps the nicest human being I have met. He is also the one that showed Sofia & I how to taste & judge vineyard fruit for harvest in 2012.

Jean decided to make this second wine primarily for restaurant lists.

The nose shows brilliant red & dark florals. Dark cherries, poached strawberries, blackberries, black currant core, black raspberries, pomegranate, oak barrel powder, some anise, black tea, gentle baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, caramel notes & dark chocolate, dark, rich, subtle earth, dark withering flowers.

You could make a case for rounding this up to 93.

The fruits are ripe…special. Even glorious. Very soft and rounded M-M+ tannins. Dark cherries, poached strawberries, blackberries, black currant core, black raspberries, pomegranate, oak barrel powder, some anise, black tea, cola, beautiful, round dark spice that long sets w/ the most gentle palate heat, gentle baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, caramel notes & dark chocolate, dark, rich, subtle earth, some fresh & dry tobacco, soft leather, very soft graphite, dark withering flowers. Excellent rainfall acidity with a well balanced, softly structured, elegant finish that last 80 seconds and lands on gentle dark spice, loamy earth and fruit.

Great pair with the Venison.
— a month ago

Dick, Paul and 12 others liked this

Pahlmeyer

Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend

We had 7 bottles of wine last Sunday night , Kenzo, Nickel Nickel,Papillon ,screaming eagle, frank's family , opus one overture &2013 pahlmeyer. We all like this pahlmeyer propriety red the best. Even a big step better than screaming eagle. — 8 years ago

Somm liked this

Louis Jadot

Château des Jacques Clos du Grand Carquelin Moulin-à-Vent Gamay 2011

My favorite of the Cru Beaujolais and a love affair I've had ever since I first tasted M-A-V with age to it.

Not a loud bimbo that'll blind you for one night but rather an interesting soft-spoken, well-mannered girl with secrets and someone you'd want to have by your side and enjoy for the rest of your days.

Did I mention that I love Moulin-À-Vent...??
— 9 years ago

Anthony, Ira and 3 others liked this

Opus One

Overture Napa Valley Petit Verdot Blend

Opus One Overture Red Blend N/V
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A second wine from Opus One Winery, Overture is crafted as a multi-vintage Bordeaux-style blend, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller portions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Unlike the estate’s grand vin, Overture blends across several vintages to achieve harmony, depth, and consistency. This wine edition includes 2014, 2015, and 2016, vintages that shows the elegance and complexity of extended barrel aging.

Aromas & Flavors
Nose: red currants, ripe cherry, and fresh red fruit, wrapped in earthy tones of mahogany, cocoa powder, and vanilla spice.
Palate: rounded and expressive, with plush dark fruit layered over subtle tobacco, cedar, and espresso. The oak influence creates warmth and complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full-bodied, velvety in texture, with smooth tannins and a long, polished finish. The extended oak elevates its creaminess, while freshness keeps it balanced.

Winemaking & Style
Barrel-aged longer than the main Opus One lots, this wine achieves silky integration of fruit and oak. The flexibility of blending across vintages results in a wine of remarkable harmony and immediate drinkability, while still capable of short-term aging.

Food Pairing
Excellent with grilled ribeye, lamb shanks, duck breast, or mushroom risotto. Also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses or a dark chocolate finale.

Verdict
A luxurious, multi-vintage blend that captures the soul of Opus One in a more approachable, versatile package. Refined, elegant, and deeply satisfying, Overture is a wine to savor now or cellar briefly for added nuance.
— 4 months ago

Ted liked this

Viña Almaviva S.A.

Almaviva Puente Alto Red Blend 2014

Somm David T
9.3

The 14 Almaviva Cabernet is 68% Cabernet, 22% Carménère and 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The vines are 38 years of age. The wine spent 18 months in 75% new oak. The nose shows some slight funk at first. Blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, black cherry cola/licorice and dark florals. The M+ tannins are soft and a little sticky. The fruits are slightly candied in style. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark chocolate, soft leather, crushed rocks, dark moist turned earth and dark fresh florals. The structure, length, tension, balance and finish are quiet beautiful. Producer history and notes...Almaviva began in 1997, as a joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. With the strengths of both families pedigree, they achieved international recognition with the the launch of their very first vintage. Their goal was to create the equivalent of Bordeaux Grand Cru Classé in Chile. Patrick Leon is their Winemaker and also makes Opus One & Mouton Rothschild. Almaviva is located in the Maipo Valley in Chile's central zone. Puente Alto has ideal conditions for growing the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Almaviva has 85 hectares. The climatic features of Puente Alto include its; stony soil, cold, rainy winters, and the hot days and cool nights of its summers. Maipo is considered Chile’s Napa Valley.
— 8 years ago

Severn, Sofia and 5 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

2005 vintage. Blackberry, black cherry, earth, mushroom, black olive. M acid and body. M+ intensity, round tannin, finish and complexity. — 10 years ago

Thibault Liger-Belair

Vieilles Vignes Moulin-à-Vent Gamay 2016

One of my favorites in the in Bourguignon-style of Beaujolais are those of Thibault Liger-Belair. What I adore about Thibault’s approach is that his winemaking philosophy seems to suit M-à-V so well. Popped and poured; no formal notes. The 2016 “Moulin-à-Vent VV” is full of the undeniable dark fruit and structure and yet, incorporates a funky charm that seems to bridge Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaujolais perfectly. To my palate, these 2016 VV’s are just entering the early part of their drinking window. I still think this is developing and it will take another few years before the secondary characteristics begin to show and that’s when the magic really starts to show with these wines. All of the pieces and parts are there…all that is required at this point s a little more patience. Good now but better with a little patience and after 2026. Should be awesome well through 2036 — 2 years ago

Peter, Daniel P. and 5 others liked this

Drappier

Carte d'Or Brut Champagne Blend 1995

Jantarova barva. 23 let stare. Plna zralost. Ve vuni rozinky, med, exot ovoce, ale velmi decentne. V chuti krasna kulatost, zralost, exoticke tony, medove podtony, nicmene svezi, kyselinka uzasna, trva. Malo perli, ale uzasne. Za me: nadchlo!
Degorge 2010. Ca 6-7g.

75 PN, 15 Ch, 10 M

Tasting notes
The Carte d’Or cuvée is the very expression of the Drappier style. With its very high proportion of Pinot Noir, one is almost tasting a Blanc de Noirs. Champagne with a ne aromatic richness, it opens with aromas of stoned fruits such as white vineyard peach. A spicy hint announces a powerful and complex palate. A vinous Champagne of lovely complexity with a characteristic note of quince jelly.
— 8 years ago

Louis M. Martini

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

This was our second bottle. First was uninspiring and despite the 97pt RP rating, found it to be disappointing. The trick is to let it breathe for at least an hour to let the flavors develop. It is no Opus One but very satisfying with a juicy steak or just plain enjoyment! — 8 years ago

Jason liked this

M. Chapoutier

Belleruche Côtes-du-Rhône Grenache Rosé Blend 2013

2013 Belleruche by Maison M. Chapoutier, Côtes-de-Rhône. Another Rosé from this same district in which Tavel is located. This is a lovely wine! Smells of raspberries, strawberries, vanilla, little alcohol forward but smoother than Tavel. More depth, less bite, little if any tannins. Not as bright and crisp as Tavel. Nice body, very smooth finish. I liked this one more than the 2010 Tavel rosé in the previous post. I paired this with crispy-skin salmon using Chef Ramsay's directions: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SQuyOwNtAVM Interesting fact: starting in 1996, all M. Chapoutier bottle labels have Braille. $15. I give this a 90. — 11 years ago