C252-QC

M—Degree of Maturity (1-10)

M1 = lay down

M10 = fully mature

Grape variety Red White

Rosé

Sparkling

Bottle size

Number of bottles in case

Aroma

Taste

Serving temperature

Ideal with Evolution Drink this year Will develop, drink within 2 years Meant for cellaring

Concentration

Light

Medium

Great

Oak Light

Medium

Heavy

Limited quantities

Limited

Very limited

Extremely limited

Less than 100 cases available

Members’ Choice

Most ordered by Opimian members

Opimian Suggests Starting a cellar

Medal Winner Discovery

Opimian Select 2016 – C243

d—Degree of Drinkability (1-10)

D1 = needs time

D10 = ready to drink

Ordering Made Easy

1. select Your Wines

Let yourself be inspired by our detailed descriptions or use your personal wine profile to find out which wines best suit your palate. Our custom chart also features a variety of symbols (explained below) that can guide your selection.

Still unsure which wines to order? Opimian’s Wine Concierge is always available to help you make an informed choice. Contact our Wine Concierge at 1-800-361-9421 or by email at concierge@opim.ca.

2. place Your order

There are five ways to order

• Online: Go to opim.ca, sign in and select Order Now

• Email opim@opim.ca with your selection.

• Call 1-800-361-9421

• Fax your order to 514-481-9699

• Mail your order*

3. let Us handle the rest

The wines featured on this Cellar Offering are still at the producers’ wineries when you order them so it is normal that the process takes a bit of time and effort on our side.

Expected arrival for shipments from this Cellar Offering is mid-november 2017 Release dates are dependent upon actual arrival dates, distance from port of entry to liquor board and processing time required by each liquor board.

Once the wine arrives at your local liquor store or distribution centre, you will receive a Pick Up Notice with the specified date (the Release Date) and your pick up location. You can follow the status of your shipment at all times at opim.ca.

Conditions of purchase

• Accepted payment methods: Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or cheque payable to Opimian.

• Prices include all applicable federal and provincial mark ups and taxes, including GST/HST # 105 233 217 and QST #1000640430.

• A valid 2017 membership card is required to order and pick up.

• Bottle prices are for reference only. All orders are by the case, with no minimum required.

• Last day to order from this Cellar Offering: september 15, 2017 Important: no orders will be processed after this deadline.

* Deadline for mailing orders: September 5, 2017. Please allow 10 days for delivery by Canada Post. notes (as required by the saQ’s operating procedures

• A member ordering from this Cellar Offering requests that Opimian acts as the member’s agent in ordering the wines from the Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) and requests that Opimian remits the funds enclosed (minus any administration fees) to the SAQ to pay for the wines ordered.

• The prices as shown are the estimated costs to be charged by the SAQ plus an administration fee and consolidation charges.

Sweetness scale Grams/litre Examples

[00] 0 - 3 Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, many reds

[01] 4 - 6 Some New World varietals, some reds

[02] 7 - 12 Champagne, Sparkling, Rosés, few reds

[03] 13 - 20 Mosel, some Alsace, Anjou

[04] 21 - 34 Semi-sweet Bordeaux, some sherry

[05] 35 - 50 Kabinett German, Late Harvest, Alsace

[06] 51 - 74 Spätlese German, Sweet Loire, Port, Dessert Muscat

[07] 75 - 100 Auslese, Beerenauslese

[08] 101 - 139 Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port

[09] 140 - 179 Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port

[10] 180 > Speciality sweet wines, Trockenbeerenauslese

Cellar 252

Washington State, Oregon, California and Spain

At the end of April, I went on my first visit to vineyards in the Pacific Northwest and I was excited by the variety, diversity and quality of wines being produced. We offer just a snapshot of wines from Washington State and Oregon, which complement a wider number of favourites from California.

While I was visiting the US, severe frost hit many wine regions throughout Europe. As we wait to see the full impact on the 2017 grape crop levels, we offer a selection of wines from around Spain.

Opimian’s Wine Consultant Jane Masters MW, tastes, selects and writes the commentary for each of the wines in the cellar offerings. Her aim is to find exclusive wines around the world that offer great value to Opimian members through regular visits to wine producers and trade shows. A Master of Wine since 1997 (one of 356 globally), Jane was elected as Chairman of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine in September 2016. Jane trained as a winemaker at the Bordeaux Institut d’Œnologie after a degree in Biological Chemistry and worked for UK retailer Marks & Spencer sourcing and managing the Wine & Drinks Category for 13 years. California

“At Naches Heights Vineyard, our grapes are grown with love — sustainably, organically and biodynamically.“

Washington s tate

Washington s tate

Despite tasting wines and background reading, there is nothing like visiting a wine region firsthand. This year was my first visit to vineyards in Washington State and Oregon. After California, Washington State is the second largest producer of wine in the United States with 20,000 hectares of vines and 900 wineries. As prices of Napa Valley wines increase and Washington State wines improve, these are increasingly popular. The state has a diverse range of climates and is a geologist’s paradise; the result of volcanic activity, cataclysmic mega floods and deposits of windblown loess soils.

A Washington State take on this Spanish grape variety, it is dark and moody with woody, vanilla and black fruit aromas. The palate is supple and smoky with more dark fruits and a bitter chocolate finish. It is concentrated with a fine texture and will benefit from more bottle age to mellow. Tempranillo grapes were grown on the Rosebud Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, one of the warmest regions in Washington State, named after a Native American word meaning watering place. The entire appellation lies on a broad, south-facing slope with a constant gradient of 8%. The proximity of the Columbia River protects against spring frosts. The wine was matured in oak using 25% new American oak and 75% neutral French and American oak.

s masne Cellars, t he Farmer, Columbia Valley, 2012

Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah

$61.17 $367.00

M6 D8

bean,

Dense, black cherry, chocolate

Cabernet Sauvignon-marinated New York steaks with gorgonzola and caramelized shallot butter

The Farmer Red 2012 has a savoury, meaty aroma with dark fruits in the background and a hint of green bean. It is medium to full-bodied with a dense, rich palate, with emerging black cherry fruits and a chocolate finish. In 2012, conditions were warm and sunny throughout the growing season with cool nighttime temperatures allowing fully ripe grapes to be picked at leisure while retaining fresh natural acidity. It is produced from grapes grown in Verhey in the Yakima Valley, Coyote Canyon in Horse Heaven Hills and Upland on Snipes Mountain. Robert Smasne whole-berry fermented the grapes and matured the wine for 22 months in a combination of French and American oak.

with 25 new wines to choose from, in this cellar offering you will surely find a new favourite!

9315 d ark s tar, Columbia Valley, 2012, k ana Winery

Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre

$70.00 $420.00

Kana Winery, named after the native word for the spirit or fire within a mountain, pays tribute to the impact that volcanic activity had on the soils of Washington State. Kana Winery specializes in Rhône variety wines, with Dark Star their flagship wine produced from Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. The grapes for Dark Star were grown at Stone Tree Vineyard in Wahluke Slope and Elerding Six Prong in Horse Heaven Hills. Strong winds are frequent in Horse Heaven Hills to the extent that the leafy canopy is reduced dramatically and produces grapes with thick tough skins. Dark Star 2012 has coconut and woody aromas, with sweet fruit flavours, blueberries, dark fruits, vanilla, and caramel that lead to a grippy bitter cherry and chocolate finish. Just 300 cases were produced by winemaker Tony Lombardy in his debut year at Kana Winery. It was aged for a full three years in French oak, 30% new.

nh V tW o d an C ers, yakima Valley, 2013, n a C hes h eights Vineyard

Syrah, Cabernet Franc $65.00 $390.00

Naches Heights AVA, a sub-region of Columbia Valley, is in south-central Washington, northwest of the city of Yakima. It is a new region, the first plantings of vinifera were in 2002 with the area granted AVA status in 2011. Two Dancers is a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Cabernet Franc, grown at the Good Earth Vineyard in Yakima Valley. It is vibrant in colour with aromas of violets, coconut and sweet dark fruits. This is a succulent medium-bodied wine with a juicy mid-palate and firm acidity. Winemaker Justin Neufeld aged the wine for 23 months in neutral French oak barrels.

Oregon is smaller than Washington State, ranking fourth largest wine producing state. It is best known for Willamette Valley and is associated with Pinot Noir, yet it has 18 AVAs, 11,500 hectares of vines, approximately 700 wineries and over 70 grape varieties. While vines were planted in the 1850s, these disappeared with prohibition until the 1960s and 1970s.

“ We will not grow beyond our ability to handcraft wines of finesse, balance and length.“

Owner/Winemaker Stephen M. Reustle, Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards

r e u S t le Prayer r o ck Vineyard S, S yra H, u m P q ua Valley, 2014

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards was established in 2001 by Stephen Reustle and his wife Gloria at Roseburg in the Umpqua Valley. Umpqua Valley sits to the south of Willamette Valley and is named after the river that runs through it. It is one of Oregon’s most diverse and warm regions, with three distinct climatic sub-zones.

Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyard is located on steep south-facing slopes in a cool hidden valley of the Umpqua. Steve makes the wines from grapes grown on his 40-acre estate. The 2014 Syrah exudes more of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape - southern Rhône character rather than northern Rhône. It has ethereal aromas of vanilla, dark and red fruits. It is elegant with spices and a hint of leather, developing grip, and a chocolate finish which continues to linger. Umpqua Valley’s winegrowing history dates back to the 1880s when German immigrants planted the first vineyard.

Willamette Valley is the largest AVA in Oregon and the most widely known. It is broken down into sub-regions with differences in terroir. Generally, the climate is slightly cooler than Burgundy and Pinot Noir is the predominant grape variety. The grapes for Stafford Hill were grown in the Dundee, Yamhill-Carlton and at La Chenaie vineyard in Eola-Amity Hills with some old vines planted in the early 1970s. Humidity at harvest can be an issue in Willamette Valley, but the summer of 2014 was followed by a warm, dry fall. Stafford Hill 2014 has earthy black fruit and blackcurrant aromas with a hint of leather in the background. It is youthful and concentrated with the potential to age. The wine was aged for 14 months, 10 of which were in French oak, 12% new.

9319

h olloran p inot n oir, Willamette Valley, 2014

Pinot Noir

$69.50 $417.00

Holloran Pinot Noir has more concentration and weight than Stafford Hill Pinot Noir and was produced from a special selection of the best barrels. It has aromas of red and black fruits.

On the palate, it is well-balanced with good depth. The grapes were harvested by hand between September 18th and October 5th, 2014. They were de-stemmed, fermented

with the cap punched down twice daily by hand, then matured in French oak barrels. During my short visit to Oregon, I met many individuals who shared the same story, “We came here and we liked it so much we couldn’t leave – it was simply meant to be!” It is a similar story for Eve and Bill Holloran, who moved to the Portland area in 1999. Bill was in technology, Eve a graphic designer. They purchased a vineyard in Dundee and a large parcel of land in Eola-Amity Hills. Their first wine was made in a converted horse barn. Today, they focus efforts solely on Holloran Vineyards with wines made by Mark La Gasse.

9320

s t. Jose F ’s l’e sprit, e state g e W ürztraminer, Willamette Valley, 2015, s t. Jose F ’s Winery Gewürztraminer,

An off-dry wine, rich in structure with a bit of spritz, St. Josef’s Gewürztraminer is elegant with aromas of rose petals and Turkish Delight. It is a blend of 95% Gewürztraminer and 5% Riesling. St. Josef’s was created by Josef Fleischmann and his wife Lilli. This is yet another story of the pull of the verdant green hills and uncrowded countryside. In the early 1960s, Josef and his wife moved from Chicago with a three-year-old and newborn on a mattress in the back of a van to a small farmhouse in Willamette Valley at the end of the Oregon Trail.

Soft, broad, spritz, [00]

c alifornia c alifornia

Despite the development of Washington State and Oregon wines, California still represents 90% of US wine production. The Golden State has an array of terroirs offering a range of grape varieties and styles from simple varietal wines to seriously age worthy wines produced in Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley and Napa Valley.

“Oro Bello wine is handcrafted with care from highquality fruit. Our desire is to bring excellent wines to those eager to find an additive-free, crafted wine at an everyday price.“

Alex Remy, Partner, Atlas Wine

I met winemaker Alexandre Remy, a young Frenchman living in San Francisco, in January of this year. He’d brought along a couple of his wines to my hotel to try on Saturday lunchtime as sadly, I didn’t have time to venture into any vineyards. All his wines were delicious with great personality. This and the Agnitiō Sauvignon Blanc were so good we immediately put a marker down for Opimian. Alex is also a personality. A young winemaker with a determined drive to challenge the status quo, he produces small quantities of site-specific wines. I re-tasted both wines in May alongside the whole California line-up and they stood out. Oro Bello Chardonnay has toasty oak and ripe tropical fruit flavours. It is medium-bodied with great depth, acidity and a long, toasty vanilla finish. A blend of 80% Monterey and 20% Sonoma-grown Chardonnay, 30% was matured in new French oak.

napa Valley is California’s first recognized AVA (1981) and the second in the US.

9323

a gnitiō, s au V ignon b lan C , n apa Valley, 2014, a gnitio Wines

Sauvignon Blanc

$61.17 $367.00

It’s not easy to get Sauvignon Blanc right in California, and not many of them improve with age. Agnitiō 2014 is another of Alex’s wines with great personality and an intense cassis aroma. The style is more akin to top PessacLéognan or Mondavi’s iconic To Kalon Vineyard old vine Sauvignon Blanc. Grapes from Oak Knoll, Coombsville and Pope Valley were gently pressed and the juice left to cold settle. The clear juice was fermented with 70% in barrel using 8% new French cigar barrels, and the balance in a concrete egg. All were aged on lees for six months. It is intensely flavoured with passion fruit, blackcurrant pastilles and citrus flavours.

9324

Wine s pots m erlot, n apa Valley, 2013, Wine s pots Wines

Merlot

$61.17 $367.00 new

Produced from 100% Napa Valley-grown Merlot, Wine Spots 2013 shows some nice development with intense cherry menthol aromas. The palate is supple with good midpalate fruit, structure and toasty blackberry flavours. 2013 was an early, high quality vintage throughout California, with bud break occurring early due to a warm spring followed by favorable weather conditions during flowering and fruit set. Merlot was sourced from the Rutherford and Oakville subregions. It was aged in French oak barrels.

9326

b lue r o C k e state, Cabernet s au V ignon, a lexander Valley, 2014

9325

b aby b lue e state r ed b lend, b lue r o C k Vineyard, a lexander Valley, s onoma, 2015

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec

$70.00 $420.00

Since Kenny Kahn and his wife Cheryl purchased Blue Rock Vineyard in 1987, the couple has injected life into the historic estate. It is named after the blue serpentine rocks that are strewn throughout, a large boulder of which marks the entrance to the estate. The original house and stone cellar, which

date back to the 1850s, have been completely restored. The 49 acres of vineyard, which had been abandoned, were re-planted with Bordeaux varieties. The same care and attention is paid to the wines which get better and better each year. 2015 Baby Blue has a restrained aroma with mulberries and other ripe forest fruits. The palate is mediumbodied with fresh herbal fruits finishing with some grip. Baby Blue is a blend of six varieties: 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 11% Syrah, 10% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec. The wine was aged for twelve months in French oak.

Blue Rock estate is in Alexander Valley in the far north of Sonoma County, one of the warmest regions in northern California during the day, with temperatures dropping significantly at night. The estate lies along the banks of the Russian River north of Healdsburg and is ideally suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Blue Rock, located in the north of the region, is close to the town of Cloverdale and the renowned Silver Oak winery. Vineyards are planted on shallow soils on hillsides at 300 to 600 feet, over a layer of clay and blue serpentine rock. The vineyards were first planted here by Italian settlers who brought cuttings and winemaking culture with them, as well as growing olives. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from the oldest vines planted by Kenny Kahn in 1987. It is youthful with aromas of sweet dark fruits, cherries, vanilla, coconut and toast. It is medium-bodied with grippy tannin and structure. Flavours of dark cherries lead to a chewy finish.

Grippy palate

Sweet fruits, dark cherries

Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery

Russian River Valley

The De Loach family has been growing grapes and making wine in the Russian River Valley for more than forty years. Cecil and Christine purchased their first 24-acre vineyard in 1970 while he was a firefighter and she worked as a Sonoma County probation officer. In 2003, they sold the De Loach brand and established Hook & Ladder in 2004, producing wines from their 375 acre vineyards. Grandson Jason De Loach has been making the wines since 2006 and they improve with each passing year.

Last day to order September 15, 2017

A smooth and voluptuous Chardonnay, with the restraint of Russian River Valley fruit, Jason’s 2015 has great balance. 2015 was exceptionally good in the Russian River Valley despite the fourth consecutive year of drought. The coastal fog ensured steady temperatures, allowing grapes to ripen slowly. Butterscotch, toast and vanilla aromas are complemented with tropical fruit and citrus flavours with a long finish. It was fermented in barrel with 20% new French oak and underwent malolactic fermentation.

9328

h ook & l adder p inot n oir, e state b ottled, russian r i V er Valley, s onoma County, 2015

Pinot Noir

$72.83 $437.00

9329

h ook & l adder t he t illerman, e state b ottled, russian r i V er Valley, s onoma County, 2014

Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

$56.67 $340.00

Dense ruby in colour, it has a complex bouquet with brambly fruits, smoke and herbs. The Tillerman 2014 has good depth on the palate and is medium to full-bodied. Produced from grapes grown at Los Amigos Ranch and Chalk Hill, each variety was separately harvested, fermented and aged in European and American oak for 17 months. The final blend has good depth and is well-structured. Named with a nod to Cecil’s life as a fireman in San Francisco, Hook & Ladder relates to the firetruck, a tillerman steers the back of the truck. Variety is the spice

Concentrated with obvious Pinot character, Hook & Ladder Pinot Noir 2015 has aromas of wild strawberries, smoke and forest floor. It is smooth and round with intense cherry flavours. Cecil planted this vineyard in 1973 on the plains and gentle rolling hills off Olivet Road in western Santa Rosa. Whole grapes and whole clusters were picked between August 18th and September 3rd, 2015, and fermented in small batches. Each vat had regular punch down of the skins three times a day to extract colour and tannins. After fermentation, it was matured in French oak barrels for eight months.

2017-2020, M8 D9

Wild strawberries, smoke, forest floor 18°C

Supple, smooth, cherries

Rack of lamb with buttered cauliflower purée and braised baby peas with pearl onions and herbs

2017-2022, M6 D9

Brambly fruits, herbs, smoke 18°C

Structured, blackberries

Wild mushrooms Wagyu cheeseburger with aged balsamic and truffle fries

9330

h ook & l adder s tation t en, r ed Wine b lend, e state b ottled, russian r i V er Valley, 2015

Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet

$56.67 $340.00

Dense in colour with ripe berry fruits and a hint of savoury leather, Station Ten is a medium-bodied wine produced from a cocktail of varieties: 70% Zinfandel, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petite Sirah, 3% Carignane and 1% Alicante Bouschet. The grapes came from some of Hook & Ladder’s oldest vineyards in the cooler section of their land, just west of Santa Rosa, including 100-yearold pre-prohibition Zinfandel, Carignane and Alicante Bouschet. It is supple on the palate with bitter chocolate flavours and a long, black liquorice finish. Each variety was harvested between September 9th and October 1st, 2015. After fermentation, each was matured for 12 months in European and American oak prior to the final blending.

9331

h ook & l adder Cabernet s au V ignon, l os a migos r an C h, e state b ottled, Chalk h ill, s onoma County, 2014

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

$72.83 $437.00

The Chalk Hill region is a sub-appellation of Russian River Valley and is generally slightly warmer in temperature during the day. It has a variety of volcanic and alluvial soils in the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. Dense in colour, Hook & Ladder Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 is restrained in character with a mellow bouquet of spice, smoke, dark fruits and vanilla. It is rich and succulent on the palate with good mid weight. It has a grainy texture and is well-structured with the potential to develop. The final blend contains a small proportion (3%) of Merlot. It was matured for 18 months in a combination of American and European oak.

San Rafael Mountain View winery c alifornia c alifornia

Angelo Pera and his co-winemaker Philip Zorn continue to develop their network of vineyards and have added several micro vineyards to the fold. The vineyards are located in regions suitable for each grape variety, so that Mountain View produces a range of wines offering great value and quality.

“We are one of the few wineries that has mastered the ability to farm small micro-vineyards. Location and soil-type are most important to us.“

9332 o pimian Cali F ornia White

Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer

$18.25 $219.00

This is a simple California white, produced from a blend of 48% Chardonnay, 41% Pinot Grigio and 11% Gewürztraminer adding fruit. It is relatively light at 11% alcohol and off-dry. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks with no use of oak.

9333 o pimian Cali F ornia r ed

Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot

$18.25 $219.00

Opimian California Red has cherry and herbal aromas. Soft and light on the palate, it has more meaty, spicy flavours and a grippy finish. It is a blend of 42% Zinfandel, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah and 8% Merlot. Half the wine was matured with American oak, the balance in tank.

A label specially created for Opimian, Opimian California Red and w hite are a must-have!

off-dry, firm acidity, [00]

Cherries, herbs 18°C

Meaty, spicy

Grilled pork sausage with spiced peppers

Pinot Noir

Flavours of passion fruit and lemony character give this unoaked Chardonnay appeal; it is dry with balanced acidity. The grapes were grown in Central California on sandy loam soils.

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in Central Coast vineyards have produced a wine with cherry and berry fruits. Ageing for eight months in second-fill American oak barrels has given the wine a menthol character. It is soft and light with flavours of red fruits and dried herbs.

A tantalizingly fruity pink, it is drier than most blush wines, with bags of flavour. Aromas of strawberries, watermelon and redcurrants precede a soft, off-dry palate with more red fruit flavours of cranberry and raspberry. It was produced from 58% Zinfandel and 42% Pinot Noir.

Cranberry, raspberry, [00]

Chicken strawberry salad – grilled chicken breast, fresh strawberries and gorgonzola

9337

b utter F ly r idge p inot g rigio, Cali F ornia, 2016

Pinot Grigio

$26.00 $156.00

2016 Butterfly Ridge

Pinot Grigio is pale in colour with restrained aromas of fresh apples and pears. It is dry, with refreshing acidity and a lemony finish. It is perfect as an early evening summer aperitif. The grapes were grown in Clarksburg at the La Slough Vineyard. The vineyard was planted in 2001 on sandy loam soil mixed with fertile clay.

9338

lemony finish, [00]

b utter F ly r idge Cabernet s au V ignon, Central Coast, 2016

Cabernet Sauvignon

$30.83 $185.00

More structured and concentrated than the Riverview, Butterfly Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were grown in northern Paso Robles. Currently youthful and tight, it will become more expressive over the coming months with savoury aromas and black cherries. It is well-balanced with a long bitter cherry finish and was matured for six months in American oak barrels.

$24.83

Butterfly Ridge Merlot 2016 has typical earthy forest floor aromas. It is light to mediumbodied with grippy tannins and cherry menthol finish. Made from grapes grown in the Central Coast on the eastern side of Santa Maria, the vineyard was planted in 1988 on an east/west axis.

9340

Cherry menthol, grippy

Eggplant and prosciutto-wrapped veal with roasted capsicum sauce

The cool Central Coast climate is a result of the foggy evenings that give respite to the warm sunny days. Pinot Noir loves this contrast, producing typical varietal aromas. Grown on the Santa Maria Vineyard, the 2016 is pale garnet in colour, with spicy red berry fruits and herbs. It is light to medium-bodied with a broad structure, a touch of oak and a soft finish.

Spicy red berry fruits, herbs 16°C

Broad, red cherry finish

Garlic and herb-roasted pork tenderloin

9341

d uxinaro Chardonnay, russian r i V er Valley, 2015, k eystone Cellars

A distinctly oaky Chardonnay, Duxinaro 2015 is bright in colour with mellow toast and tropical fruit aromas. The oak is apparent, but not overly dominant of the fruit. It is dry, soft, smooth and medium-bodied. Russian River Valley is recognized as producing some of the best cool climate Chardonnay in California. The vineyard was planted in 1998 on clay soils. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine went through malolactic fermentation, adding extra body and complexity. It was matured for 12 months in French oak barrels.

lemon, [00]

Santa Rosa Cambridge Cellars c alifornia c alifornia

Husband and wife team Bruce and Kim Cunningham have been based in Novato, California, since 2004. Australia-born Bruce had been importing wines from his homeland as well as developing wines in California. Today, they work with winemaker Douglas Danielak and produce a range of styles.

“Under the guidance of consulting winemaker Douglas Danielak, we specialize in elegantly balanced wines from renowned appellations such as Napa Valley, Russian River Valley, and Carneros.“

Bruce & Kim Cunningham,

Founders

9343

Cambridge & s unset

Cali F ornia s eries m erlot, 2016

9344

Cambridge & s unset

Cali F ornia s eries z in Fandel, 2016

This is a medium-bodied wine with intense red berry fruits, ripe cherries and floral notes. The Merlot grapes came from coastal growing regions in the Sacramento River Delta. It is a fruity aromatic style.

The 2016 harvest started early in California and produced high quality grapes throughout, albeit in small quantity.

Cambridge & Sunset California Series

Zinfandel is bright in colour with floral scents of lavender over a savoury, spicy background. It is on the lighter side of medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and a juicy red berry finish.

Savoury, red berries

Baby Back pork ribs

Related to Italian and Croatian varieties, California Zinfandel has a distinctive flavor profile with a truly American name, history and style.

b arrel r oad r ed b lend, a ged in b ourbon b arrels, Cali F ornia, 2015

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

$28.33 $170.00

Barrel Road Red Blend was matured for three months in bourbon-soaked barrels which have made their way from Kentucky across the United States on Highway 70 to the cellar in California. Bourbon barrels give wine a unique character, smoke, molasses, caramel and coffee, which are combined with traditional American oak flavours of vanilla, chocolate and baking spices. Barrel Road is a blend of 88% Merlot with 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is medium-bodied with structure, sweet flavours and a savoury twist.

Old Zinfandel vines are cultivated on the eastern side of the Russian River Valley on steep slopes of rocky soils. These have made a big and moody wine, dense in colour with aromas of chocolate, dark fruits and mulberries. It is soft and rich with great balance despite its high alcohol at 16%. On the palate, flavours of damsons, cherries and savoury bitter chocolate create a wine with depth. It is a tasty follow up to the 2014 offered last year and one of my favorite wines in this line up. It was matured 13 months in predominantly old French oak with a small percentage of American oak.

Sierra Foothills Kautz Family Vineyards

c alifornia c alifornia

The Kautz family has been farming in Lodi for nearly 100 years growing a variety of crops. In 1968, nearly fifty years ago, John Kautz planted his first vineyard. Today, the family owns vineyards around Lodi and the Sierra Foothills in what was once California Gold Rush territory. The wines are produced at the winery in Murphys by winemaker Steve Millier.

9348 s tone Valley Cali F ornia Chardonnay, 2016 Chardonnay

A simple unoaked Chardonnay with fruity pear drop aromas and a citrus finish, it is dry with crisp acidity. The grapes were harvested in the pre-dawn hours. After gentle pressing, the wine was fermented at low temperature in stainless steel tanks.

9349

s tone Valley Cali F ornia m erlot, 2016

Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Ruby Cabernet

$21.33 $256.00

Predominantly Merlot with 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Ruby Cabernet from selected vineyards in northern California, this wine has appealing cherry and coffee aromas. Stone Valley Merlot 2016 is light and fruity with juicy red cherry acidity and a soft finish. The grapes were fermented in rotary fermenters and subsequently aged for two months with French oak.

9350

s tone Valley Cali F ornia Cabernet s au V ignon, 2016

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah

$21.33 $256.00

Stone Valley is named after the gravelly soils which combine with the California sunshine to produce ripe and concentrated grapes. Stone Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is actually a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Syrah, all grown in Lodi. The wine was matured for four months with French oak conferring an intense spice and coffee aroma.

9351 s tone Valley Cali F ornia r ed b lend, 2016

Zinfandel, Merlot, Petite Sirah

$21.33 $256.00

The three grape varieties, Zinfandel, Merlot and Petite Sirah, combine to produce a wine with lots of dark fruit over a savoury background. It is soft initially, developing a grippy finish, and was aged for two months with French oak.

Beef fajitas

9352 Christine a ndre W, o ld Vine z in Fandel, l odi, 2016

The Kautz family has been farming in Lodi since 1926, and in 1968 John Kautz decided to plant wine grapes after years of growing tomatoes, bell peppers, cherries and apples. The Kautz family now have vineyards throughout Lodi and the Sierra Foothills, and Zinfandel thrives in Lodi! Christine Andrew is deep and bright in colour. Aromas of dark cherries, black liquorice and a hint of smoke lead to a medium to full-bodied wine that reveals flavours of plummy fruits and chocolate.

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Andalucía Pérez Barquero

Montilla-Moriles

Located in the region of Montilla-Moriles in Andalucía, southern Spain, the Pérez Barquero cellars were established at the turn of the 20th century. Today, the winery produces a range of still and fortified wines similar in style to sherry from Jerez.

“Our vineyards are located in the most valued high quality zones of the Sierra de Montilla and Moriles Alto.“

9353

l os a migos Fino, do m ontillam oriles, p érez b arquero

Pedro Ximénez

$26.50 $159.00

A typical Fino style produced from Pedro Ximénez grapes, it has a flinty, smoky aroma. The grapes were grown on the arid Albariza soils of Montilla-Moriles. After fermentation, the young wine was aged in oak casks and allowed to develop.

9354

l os a migos a montillado, do m ontilla-m oriles, p érez b arquero

Pedro Ximénez

$28.50 $171.00

Deep amber in colour with aromas of liquorice, smoke and raisins, Los Amigos Amontillado is dry on the palate with flavours of dates, nuts and dried fruit.

Ready to drink

9355

Smoke, flint, marzipan 6°C

Stone fruits, pithy, [00]

Cod croquettes

Nuts, dried fruits, [01]

p edro x iménez de Cose C ha, do m ontilla-m oriles, 2015, p érez b arquero

Pedro Ximénez

$30.17 $181.00

Intensely sweet at over 400 grams per litre of residual sweetness, it is produced from sundried Pedro Ximénez grapes. Amber in colour with aromas of dates, raisins, apricots and orange peel, it has a sweet syrupy palate. Flavours of candy floss, caramel, burnt sugar and bitter marmalade intermingle and persist on the palate.

Ready to drink

Bitter chocolate, raisin and sherry torte, Cabrales

9356

9357

Viña a malia, do m ontillam oriles, 2016

Pedro Ximénez, Moscatel, Torrontés, Verdejo

$25.33 $152.00

b rigadier b randy, p érez b arquero

$27.83 $167.00

Mahogany in colour with intense smoky, vanilla and earthy aromas, it is round and smooth with a firm finish.

This is a light, dry white wine with grapefruit citrus aromas, pears, lemon and lime flavours.

lemon, [00]

Fillet of sole with lemon-wine pan sauce

Spanish brandy is not Cognac. It offers a completely different experience.

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9358

Fin C a e l l in C e, do Jumilla, 2016, b odegas a l C eño

Monastrell, Syrah

$22.83 $137.00

Monastrell grapes, also known as Mourvèdre, were grown around Murcia in the south east of Spain on calcareous soils at between 600 and 800 metres. The hot climate and low rainfall produce less than 1.7 kilos of grapes per vine. With aromas of dark fruits, violets and herbs, the wine was aged in American and French oak barrels, giving it a distinctly oaky character with some rustic, chewy tannins.

2017-2019, M8 D9

Herbs, violets 18°C

Rustic, chewy finish

Chickpeas and chorizo

in C a el re C reo tinto, do C a rio J a , 2016, bodegas burgo V ie J o

$22.83 $137.00

A light to medium-bodied young Rioja, it is simple and well-balanced with blackberry and cherry fruits. It is produced from 100% Tempranillo grown around Alfaro in Rioja Baja. Situated at the eastern end of Rioja, it is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea and has a drier, warmer climate than other parts of Rioja. The grapes were de-stemmed and lightly crushed, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks. This “joven” (young) style has no use of oak.

d i C e Crianza, do Ca r io J a, 2014, b odegas b urgo Vie J o

Tempranillo, Graciano

$26.50 $159.00

Matured for 12 months in American oak barrels, Dice Crianza 2014 has a distinctly oaky character with coconut and spicy aromas that mingle with jammy cooked fruit flavours. Oak dominates the palate, giving it a firm, almost austere structure which is complemented by blackberry fruit flavours.

Garnacha is perfectly suited to the hot and dry Spanish climate.

Berry fruits with red and black fresh berry flavours give lots of charm. Light to medium-bodied, this is a soft and supple wine. Garnacha grapes were hand-harvested from 25-year-old vines grown in gravelly, chalk loam soils at 500 to 600 metres in altitude.

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A deep, vibrant plum colour, floral and berry aromas, with mulberries and red cherries, give this wine a lot of appeal. Siete Pecados Garnacha Selección 2016 is made from grapes grown on old bush vines with an average of 40 years of age. Vines are planted on windy, exposed hillsides at 700 to 750 metres in altitude on poor stony red clay soils rich in iron. It is light to medium-bodied and was aged for seven months in used French oak barrels.

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Vinoselección

A selection of wines from around Spain

9363

a l J ibes s au V ignon b lan CChardonnay, Vino de la t ierra de Castilla, 2015, Fin C a l os a l J ibes

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

$23.67 $142.00

Pale in colour with aromas of white stone fruit, grapefruit and mineral notes, Aljibes Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay has a lemon sherbet character with a linear structure. Los Aljibes is a grand estate in southeast Spain with 178 hectares of vineyards, and a typical La Mancha-style winery. The Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown at 900 metres.

2017-2018, M8 D9

White fruits, grapefruit, lemon sherbet 6°C

Fruity, mineral finish, [01]

Shrimp ceviche tacos

a l J ibes s yrah, Vino de la t ierra de Castilla, 2014, Fin C a l os a l J ibes

Syrah vines were planted on the Aljibes estate above 1000 metres some 25 years ago. The limestone and sandy soils are shallow and contain little organic matter. The arid continental climate is tempered by the high altitude. The 2014 is vibrant in colour with intense aromas of damsons, ripe fruits and herbs. It has a fine texture and is fine-grained with good concentration. On the palate, it is concentrated with dense flavours and savoury notes. It was aged 12 months in French and American oak.

e nate g e W ürztraminer, do s omontano, 2016, b odega e nate

Gewürztraminer

$35.50 $213.00 9364

Enate Gewürztraminer has distinctive Gewürztraminer rose petal aromas. It is an elegant wine. Broad in structure with lots of perfume and flavour, roses, violets and more, it is well-balanced with structure and is persistant on the palate. The grapes were harvested and underwent some skin contact before the juice was fermented at low temperature, followed by an early bottling to capture all the fresh fruit flavours.

Concentrated, savoury, dense

Rich, perfumed, violets, roses, [00]

Thai dumplings

9366

Val de los Frailes r osado, do Cigales, 2016, b odega Valdelos F railes, g rupo m atarromera Tempranillo, Verdejo

$23.33 $140.00

In the same style as the 2015, this is a simple rosé, well-balanced, dry, with bags of flavour. Produced in Cigales in the north of Spain, it is a blend of 95% Tempranillo, and 5% Verdejo. Bright in colour, it is brimming with berry fruits.

9367 a badal Fran C , do p la de b ages, 2016, b odegas a badal

Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Sumoll

This wine has a savoury, inky aroma with some herbs. More dark fruits emerge on the palate with black cherries and a touch of smoke. A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 40% Tempranillo and 10% Sumoll, it was matured for four months in French and American oak. The Pla de Bages DO in Catalonia is one of the smallest and newest in Spain, established in 1995.

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Chicken and avocado quesadillas

Dark fruits, black cherries, smoke

Catalan sausage and beans with tomato and herb sauce

This is a deliciously mellow Rioja with a bit of everything; ripe dark fruits, some vanilla, custard and blueberry muffin aromas. It is medium-bodied with a savoury edge, dark fruits, concentration and depth. The grapes are sourced from vineyards with an average age of 45 years and it shows. Tempranillo was blended with 5% Graciano and 5% Garnacha. After fermentation in tank, the wine was aged for 14 months in American and French oak barrels, 50% new. More integrated than the 2013 offered last year, it is ready to drink, yet also has the potential to cellar.

A young, un-aged Rioja with red fruit and strawberry aromas, it is light to mediumbodied with red fruit flavours and a bitter cherry finish. Viña Eizaga is a family-owned estate with vineyards close to the Sierra Cantabria Mountains, which protects against stormy conditions blowing in from the Atlantic. Carlos and Javier Garcia farm 40 hectares of vineyards planted on calcareous soils in the foothills of the mountains.

9370

p laer, Vinyes Velles Fantastique l i C orella, Carinyena/ g arnatxa, doq p riorat, 2015, r itme Celler

Carinyena, Garnatxa

$55.83 $335.00

Priorat wines are often big and bold to the extent they can be too much. Albert Jané makes wines that have power, yet show significant restraint. You may recognize his name; Albert is the owner and winemaker of Braó from neighbouring Montsant, the 2014 of which was offered in Cellar Offering 248. Plaer, meaning pleasure, is tight knit with blueberry and vanilla aromas. It is mellow, vibrant with cherry and liquorice flavors, yet requires some time to fully express itself. It is well-balanced with firm acidity and tannins. The grapes were harvested from gnarled old vineyards on the remote Priorat hills with slate llicorella soils, between 300 and 650 metres in altitude. A blend of 80% Carinyena and 20% Garnatxa, the vines range between 40 and 60 years of age in Bellmunt, Falset, Torroja del Priorat, El Molar, Porrera, Poboleda and El Lloar. Just a small quantity is produced with handselected grapes and the wine aged in French oak barrels for 12 months.

Our Programs

Opimian offers three wine programs: Discovery, Select Plus and Founders’ Choice. All three showcase great value for money wines, yet they do suit somewhat different interests. Whether you decide to embark on an exploratory journey or want to enjoy a more premium selection, the process stays the same. You don’t have to worry about deadlines or ordering procedures since Opimian automatically places an order on your behalf with every new Cellar Offering. Your preferred payment will be used, then your wine is shipped and you will receive a Pick Up Notice indicating where to pick it up. Visit Opim.ca for more information.

Eager to learn your way around the world of wine or simply enjoy a selection of bottles for everyday drinking? The Discovery program has it all. Over the course of the year, members enrolled in this program receive one mixed case of six bottles from a featured supplier per cellar offering. These wines are all for immediate drinking so you can indulge in one or two the moment they get to you. Whether you’re new to Opimian or fancy hopping on an introductory tour of the world of wine, we recommend this route.

Delve into a versatile selection of bottles and explore the four corners of the world of wine. This program features both early drinkability and mid-term aging potential bottles so you can enjoy some now and lay the others down. Throughout the year, Select Plus members receive one mixed case of six bottles per Cellar Offering. These wines may all be enjoyed young but will benefit from some maturing time. The ideal program for those who wish to expand their horizons and refine their palate one bottle at a time.

A collector’s dream. Dedicated to the spirit of our Founders, this program presents only the finest wines our very own Master of Wine Jane Masters has handpicked and tasted over the past year. The wines featured here are exclusive to this program and don’t appear on our Cellar Offerings. Made up of six bottles of a premium wine with a dedicated back label and a special message with tasting notes from the producer, each of the cases you will receive represents the very best our producers have to offer. These bottles offer long-term aging potential so you might want to free up space in that cellar … or start building one.

The Founders’ Choice supplier for this cellar offering is diVa - oregon