Full body. Even after being open 4 days, loads of power. Amazing wine. Consumed way too early. — a month ago
Wow. A richer, darker, and more concentrated Picasses than I’ve had in some time. Oak is also a bit more gratuitous than I’m used to for this wine. Blackberries, currant, moss, anise. This can go the distance, but definitely a bit hot. Still one of my favorite wines in the world for consistent quality to price ratio and age-ability. — 2 months ago
Very dark with earth, cocoa, and blackberry. — 3 months ago
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.
— 3 months ago
The CJ isn’t up to my Melka expectation, it is a lower cost product, but it is ok at 10 years old. It did take awhile to open up. — 4 months ago
Another solid vintage of this South African Bordeaux-Style red. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (49%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Petite Verdot (3%). Aromas of black fruit, vanilla and dried rose petals. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, mulberry, black cherry, dried herbs and minerals. Lengthy finish and full bodied. Soft tannins and well structured. Nicely aged and quite elegant. — 6 months ago
Well aged, balanced, smooth, tasty — 2 years ago
Fantastic red for a great dinner — 10 days ago
Dark fruit and medium tannins. Gorgeous — 25 days ago
Very smooth. Beautiful wine. Will buy again. — a month ago
Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2005 “Les Poyeux” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart red and black fruits: currants, blackberries, dark cherry, tons of violets, horse blanket, tobacco, some pyrazines, some leather, fine warm spices, and ferrous minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and overwhelmingly sanguine. It’s incredible how much character can be packed into a 12.5% ABV wine. A stunning bottle. Drink now through 2045. — 5 months ago
Pop and pour (practically) — can’t be helped.
NOSE: something savory, blackberry, and a little violet. Mild clove. A little clay. Something…Mexican?
TASTE: juicy, purple cassis and clay. Fresh and tasty. The kind of wine I like, basically. Blueberry pie after air. 93.
— 7 months ago
An amazing Cab. Love the bold, color and aroma. — 8 months ago
Love this stuff. They do such a great job. Black raspberry if I've ever tasted it, great acid, velvety tannins. — 11 years ago
Valdisanti Toscana 2020
Toscana IGT, Tenuta San Giovanni, Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹
Overview
Named in honor of Pier Luigi Tolaini’s mother, Valdisanti is Tolaini’s signature Super Tuscan from Tenuta San Giovanni—right at the southern edge of Chianti Classico. The 2020 vintage is crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit and features a 50% Cabernet Sauvignon / 50% Cabernet Franc blend. This pure Bordeaux-style combination underscores both structure and aromatic vibrancy, reflecting both modern winemaking finesse and Tuscan terroir.  
Aromas & Flavors
Dark and compelling on the nose—black cherry, ripe cassis, and tobacco merge with aromatic notes of Mediterranean herbs, graphite, and leather. Layered hints of licorice and espresso build toward a rich, spice-kissed finish.   
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and structured with firm yet supple tannins and lively acidity. The wine is generous on the palate yet balanced, leading to a long finish that reveals depth and elegant austerity.   
Winemaking Notes
Grapes are meticulously hand-harvested and optically sorted, then fermented on skins for 25 days in French oak vats. Aging continues for 16 months in French barriques, including 6 months on lees, drawing out both richness and aging potential.  
Food Pairing
Pairs brilliantly with Tuscan specialties like bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, or aged Pecorino Toscano. Its structure also complements urban grills, roasted game, or hearty stews.
Verdict
Valdisanti 2020 is a refined Super Tuscan that marries Bordeaux balance with Tuscan character. With its 50/50 Cabernet blend and meticulous winemaking, this wine is both graceful and powerful—a true standout for collectors and dinner tables alike. It will cellar beautifully over the next 10–15 years. A la salute!! — 2 months ago
1996 vintage. Last tasted 5.8.25 (9.5), 9.29.24 (9.5) and 8.2.24 (9.6). Decanted with some sed and tasted after an hour. Solid cork and fill. This was the worst showing of the last visits with less tannic structure and slightly more richness. Tasted a bit more like their "Au Paradis" offering. Not totally dissuaded from picking up another few bottles for enjoyment in the few 5 years or so tho. Three out of four bottles surveyed were fabulous and this wasn't a total swing and a miss. 07.18.25. — 3 months ago

Decanted for 90 minutes and could use more. Oaky nose. Intense, fruity dark chocolate. Insane. — 4 months ago
A Burgundian-styled Cab Sauv from the one of the most compelling Sub AVA of Napa mountains (Mayacamas) which has an amazing soil and solid influence from the Pacific. Crafted with an amazing balance of 68% Cab Sauv, 20% Merlot, 5% and the rest to round it off its structure and age ability. The 2011 is still climbing to its peak. Enticing notes of dry red fruits on the nose and mouth, delicate, outstandingly silky and nearly perfect balance!
The finish shows its beauty. (if you find it, it won’t disappoint you) it will give the run for the money. — 8 months ago
Rick Phillips
Still young. Needs some aging. Should peek at 99-100. — 23 days ago