2020 Opportunity Knocks
Carignan
Opportunity Knocks is an expression that takes Carignan to a higher dimension. A selection of my best barrels of Carignan that year, this is not just great Carignan; Opportunity Knocks is a great wine, that deserves a place on any table next to the great wines that come from places like Northern Italy and the Southern Rhone. While it is warm and fuzzy on the palate now, especially if served with filet mignon or rack of lamb, I believe this one will evolve nicely for the next 20 years.
Carignan is historically considered an inferior grape and it is responsible for making some bad wines, but if you do it right - you get your clippers out early and work to tame the beast - you can make a really beautiful and seductive wine. There is a new status quo for central coast wines these days. From Paso Robles to Santa Barbara, the diversity and the magnificence of the red wines from this area are making a huge impact on the American food and wine industry.