2020 Opus One

Picked in the first week of September when there was certainly some smoke around. They selected only those lots – representing just 10% of the usual production – that were provably free of the markers for smoke taint. The final wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and much of it came from the To Kalon vineyard. When presenting this wine to the Opus sales team, head winemaker Michael Silacci initially told them it was 2019, so convinced was he of the anti-2020 prejudice. There will be no formal launch of this 2020. They have held back some 2019 and 2018 to late-release this September instead. Lighter nose than usual and lighter and much less intense on the palate. There’s some sweetness but not that much freshness and the wine is certainly less glamorous and persistent than usual but it’s no failure. (JR)

Opus One made a 2020 but did not present it, as production is about 10% of a typical year, which means the wine may not be commercially released.