The evolution of the 1981 Opus One continues to disappoint. The color has taken on a slight amber at the edge, and the nose offers faded, dried cherry fruit, a touch of oak, and some intrusive cardboard-like aromas intermingled with scents of weeds. There is little improvement on the palate, as the flavor profile is compact and the finish short, attenuated, and tannic. The fruit is drying out at a rapid pace.

Tasted from magnum. Drying and fading, with earthy, nutty, Sherry-like notes.--'81/'91 California Cabernet retrospective. -JL