C261-QC

Order between August 17 and September 21, 2018

California, oregon and spain

Legend

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 Discovery 2017 C252

Select Plus Opimian Select Plus 2017 C252

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@Opimian.ca.

2. Place Your Order

There are five ways to order

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

• Email MemberService@Opimian.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 End-November 2018 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 Opimian.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.

• A valid 2018 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 21, 2018 Important: no orders will be processed after this deadline.

* Deadline for mailing orders: September 11, 2018. 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 scaleGrams/litreExamples

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[07] 75 - 100Auslese, Beerenauslese

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

M—Degree of Maturity (1-10)

M1 = lay down

M10 = fully mature

D—Degree of Drinkability (1-10)

D1 = needs time

D10 = ready to drink

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

[10] 180 >Speciality sweet wines, Trockenbeerenauslese

Cellar 261

California, Oregon and Spain

Earlier this year, I spent a few days in California meeting winemakers, visiting wineries and tasting wines. In October and December 2017, the state was hit by the most devastating fires, so I was also keen to understand their impact on the wineries, their staff and, of course, the quality of the wine. Most of the grapes were harvested prior to the fires and all the 2017 wines I tasted have shown very well. Many wines in this cellar offering are from the 2015 vintage, an early year which, from the start, was considered top quality. From my recent tastings it has clearly lived up to, if not exceeded, all expectations. It was followed by another high-quality vintage in 2016. The wines offered are from a variety of areas across the Golden State, with some new Napa Valley wines. In addition, we offer a selection from Oregon and some great value wines from 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 370 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’Oenologie after a degree in Biological Chemistry and worked for UK retailer Marks & Spencer sourcing and managing the Wine & Drinks Category for 13 years.

“This year we had a fantastic bounty of fruit and were able to really express the wines in the way they show best.“

c alifornia

Larkspur Mountain View Winery

For anyone visiting California, Mountain View Winery has opened a great tasting room in Larkspur, just across the Golden Gate Bridge and less than 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco. There I met Angelo Pera, in a friendly and chilled atmosphere. Angelo took over the running of Mountain View Winery in 2010. His focus has been on sourcing small parcels of high-quality grapes and he now has 19 vineyards under his management. While I know that not all Opimians appreciate Chardonnay (generally there seems to be a preference for Sauvignon Blanc), it remains California’s most popular and most widely planted grape variety. Gone are the days of rich, fat, heavily oaked wines; today’s Chardonnay is much fresher and better balanced. I have selected three from Mountain View Winery, each with a distinctive style, from simple and fruity to a more complex, toasty wine.

chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer

$ 17.92 $ 215.00

This is a simple white with flavours of fresh apples and pears, and relatively light alcohol at 12%. It is made from a blend of 44% Chardonnay, 41% Pinot Grigio, and 15% Gewürztraminer, fermented at low temperature in stainless steel tanks.

9873 Opimian Calif O rnia r ed

Zinfandel, c abernet Sauvignon, merlot, Syrah

$ 17.92 $ 215.00

Soft and easy-drinking red with wine gums flavours, it was partly aged in American oak barrels. It is a blend of 42% Zinfandel, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 12% Syrah.

r ivervie W v ineyards

O nnay, Calif O rnia, 2017

22.75 $ 273.00 9875

Unbeatable value, with intense and mellow tropical pineapple and banana fruit aromas, it is smooth with ripe pineapple flavours and pears on the finish. Well-balanced and with no use of oak, it is very easy to drink.

r ivervie W v ineyards Cabernet s auvign O n, Calif O rnia, 2017

c abernet Sauvignon $ 22.75 $ 273.00

Dark fruits with a hint of leather, this is a Cabernet Sauvignon with some grip. It is medium-bodied with a slightly lean character and was aged for eight months in second-use American oak barrels.

9876

r ivervie W v ineyards

Zinfandel, Calif O rnia, 2015

A soft, medium-bodied Zinfandel with lots of fresh, ripe dark fruit, blackberries and chocolate flavours, it was matured for twelve months in French oak barrels. It is perfectly ready for drinking now and over the next two to three years.

au Poivre with spinach and crispy fingerling potatoes

A great quaffing Pinot Grigio, the Butterfly Ridge 2017 has flavours of pears, grapefruit and other citrus fruits. It is smooth with good acidity, giving some grip on the finish. The grapes were grown in the Clarksburg-Delta region of California at La Slough Vineyard. The vineyard was planted in 2001 on sandy loam soils mixed with clay.

2018-2019, m8 D9

Pears, cheese rind 6°c

Grapefruit, citrus, [00]

melon, avocado, mozzarella and prosciutto skewers

Bright in colour with aromas of lime custard, pineapple and some savoury notes, this is a really interesting Chardonnay with finesse. Ripe fruits dance on the tongue with pineapple and passion fruit. It is medium-bodied with balanced acidity, good depth and length.

2018-2019, m8 D9

mellow, lime custard, pineapple, savoury edge 6°c

Passion fruit, pineapple, [00]

Pan-seared scallops with tropical fruit couscous

Zinfandel, Pinot Noir

$ 19.67 $ 236.00 9880

Watermelon and redcurrant aromas precede a nice fruity palate with sweet cherry and strawberry flavours, complemented by crisp acidity. Drier than most California rosés, it is a blend of 54% Zinfandel with 46% Pinot Noir and is relatively light in alcohol at 11.5%. Perfect as a summer quaffer, it could even be served over ice.

2018-2019, m8 D9

watermelon, redcurrant 6°c

Sweet cherries, strawberry crush, [00]

Ricotta and fresh pea toast

$ 23.67 $ 284.00

Fresh red fruit aromas lead to a medium-bodied, smooth wine with good acidity and a red cherry finish. Merlot grapes were grown to the east of Santa

Maria; a perfect match with Santa Mariastyle barbecues!

cherries

Santa maria bbq: tri-tip sirloin seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic, pinquito beans, tomato salsa and buttery garlic bread

9881

b utterfly r idge Cabernet s auvign O n, Central C O ast, 2017

c abernet Sauvignon

$ 30.67 $ 184.00

This is a medium to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of cola, cooked dark fruits and spices. On the palate, a more savoury character emerges with flavours of black liquorice and black cherries. It is concentrated, well-balanced and very long. The grapes were grown in Mountain View Winery’s Central Coast vineyards on sandy loam soils. After fermentation, the wine was matured for six months in French oak barrels. The vineyard is located in northern Paso Robles.

black cherries, liquorice, savoury

Mountain View Winery is our Select Plus producer for this cellar offering –find out more on the back cover.

9882

b utterfly r idge p in O t nO ir, Central C O ast, 2017

Pale garnet in colour, the 2017 Butterfly Ridge Pinot Noir is elegant and light with red fruit flavours, raspberry jam and red forest fruits, combined with vanilla and tea. It lingers, leaving a sour cherry acidity, inviting another sip. It is produced from grapes from the Santa Maria vineyard planted in 1998.

9883

d uxinar O Chard O nnay, russian r iver valley, 2016

chardonnay

$ 36.17 $ 217.00

An oaked Chardonnay with lots of appeal, it is bright in colour with toasty oak notes and some savoury, nutty aromas laid over a ripe pineapple background. It is smooth and round with a slightly bitter citrus pith finish adding depth. The vineyard in Russian River Valley was planted in 1998. The wine was matured for twelve months in French oak barrels and underwent full malolactic fermentation.

Round, smooth, citrus pith finish, [00]

c alifornia

Santa Rosa

Cambridge Cellars

Bruce Cunningham is an Aussie who lives in Novato, in California’s Marin County, just across from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Together with his wife Kim, they originally started importing Australian wines to the US. The business grew and expanded to include wines from other regions, and in 2016 they merged with Sonoma Estate Vintners.

“Relationships with our customers, suppliers and employees have been what drive us… oh, as well as our love for wine.“

– Bruce & Kim Cunningham

9885

Cambridge & s unset g rass C utter, r ed b lend, Calif O rnia, 2016

Zinfandel, Petit Verdot

$ 27.83 $ 167.00

This is a youthful fruity wine with flavours of apples, blackberries and plums. Cambridge & Sunset is named after the first address at which Bruce and his wife Kim lived when they arrived in California. The grapes were sourced along the coast and the San Joaquin River Delta.

2018-2020, m8 D9

apples, plums 16°c

9886

ne W

Wild b rush Cellars

Chard O nnay, Central C O ast, 2015

chardonnay

$ 32.33 $ 194.00

citrus, mandarin, [00]

Shrimp and crab bisque

2018-2020, m8 D9

Lime yellow in colour, aromas of apple, lime blossom and some spice give this wine lots of appeal. It is medium-bodied with lime and other citrus flavours leading to a long mandarin finish. The Central Coast spans from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. The grapes for Wild Brush Cellars’ Chardonnay were grown on east-facing slopes on the Santa Lucia Mountain range in the north of Monterey County. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the influence of the ocean breezes, and fog are well-suited to Chardonnay. With 2015 a good vintage in California, the grapes were picked early and ripe fruit flavours are complemented by a partial malolactic fermentation.

merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah $ 36.17 $ 217.00

Lots of vanilla and caramel aromas complement cooked red fruits. This mediumbodied wine is a blend of Merlot, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah with flavours of cooked cherry pie and spices. It was matured in American oak barrels from forests in the Midwest previously used for Bourbon.

Deep in colour with dark fruit, coconut, leather and mineral notes, this Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles is a chewy wine. Medium-bodied, it has a grainy texture with juicy acidity and a sour blackberry finish. Paso Robles is a varied region with a range of soils and climates depending on distance from the sea and the Templeton Gap, a break in the coastal mountains that allows cool air in from the ocean. Hot days and cool nights allow for slow-ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon with full flavour development.

Pinot Noir grapes for Adler Fels The Eagle Rock are sourced from Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County and Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. Both regions enjoy a cool climate, ideal for growing quality Pinot Noir. Ruby in colour, the 2014 has lots of ripe fruits, red cherries and spice. It is soft and smooth on the palate with fresh cherry intermingling with tangy raspberry flavours which continue to linger on the palate.

Sierra Foothills

Kautz Family Vineyards c alifornia

The Kautz family has been farming in Lodi for four generations, settling there in 1926, and is an integral part of the community. The Stone Valley range is named after the well-drained gravelly soils on which the grapes are grown.

“As a family-owned winery, we strive to produce wines that we enjoy sharing with family and friends.“

9891

s t O ne valley r ed b lend, Calif O rnia, 2017

The Kautz family began farming in Lodi in 1926.

With spicy dark fruits aromas, this simple enjoyable wine is made from 50% Merlot, 40% Zinfandel and 10% Petite Sirah. The grapes were fermented in rotary fermenters, allowing colour and tannin extraction at low temperature. It was aged with French oak for two months.

9892 s t O ne valley m erl O t, Calif O rnia, 2017

Simple, medium-bodied

Slow-cooked pulled pork sliders

Cooked fruits, crushed berries and raisiny aromas lead to a soft, sweet attack.

Stone Valley Merlot is relatively light in body with a firm finish. A small amount of Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah was added.

Soft, light to medium-bodied

s t O ne valley Cabernet

s auvign O n, Calif O rnia, 2017

c abernet Sauvignon, c abernet Franc, Syrah

$ 21.42 $ 257.00

Deeper in colour and more concentrated in flavour, Stone Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has dark fruits, black cherry and smoke aromas. On the palate, there are succulent fruits with vanilla and cherry flavours on the finish. The grapes were sourced from selected vineyards in the Sloughhouse, Clements Hills and Mokelumne River sub-regions of Lodi. Cabernet Sauvignon was blended with 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Syrah, and oakaged for four months.

“We make a special effort to preserve our most important agricultural resource: water.“

c alifornia

Russian River Valley Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery

It was great to catch up with winemaker Jason De Loach in January; his wines just get better and better with each vintage. 2015 seems to have been an exceptional year for Hook & Ladder, with all the red wines showing great concentration, balance and cellaring potential. The winery is just outside Santa Rosa, the town which suffered the brunt of California’s wildfires last year, losing thousands of homes to the Tubbs Fire. Hook & Ladder, which has 375 acres of vineyards, had harvested over 90% of their grapes before the fire took hold, but the winery was still affected in having no electricity from the grid to refrigerate fermenting tanks or to work the press. Many of the workers were displaced and the danger of smoke inhalation meant everyone had to wear masks and ventilators. Speaking to Jason, I sensed a feeling of calm resolve and his quiet determination to simply make the best wines possible whatever the situation.

9894

hOO k & l adder Chard O nnay, e state bO ttled, russian r iver valley, 2016

chardonnay $ 55.83 $ 335.00

2016 Hook & Ladder Chardonnay has all the markings of a refined Chardonnay. It is restrained with ripe white fruits, pears, pineapple, blossom and spice, with a toasty oak character well-integrated with the fruit. It is a refined wine with great purity of fruit and a minerality which gives length and depth, finishing on citrus pith. Chardonnay grapes were de-stemmed, crushed, pressed, fermented and underwent malolactic fermentation. 75% of the wine was fermented and matured for eight months in French oak barrels, 20% new. Barrels were hand-stirred once a month.

hOO k & l adder t he t illerman, e state bO ttled, russian r iver valley, 2015

c abernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, c abernet Franc, merlot

$ 57.67 $ 346.00 9896

Among the highest scoring wines in this line up, The Tillerman 2015 is deeply coloured with mellow aromas of spice, dark fruits, black cherry and vanilla. It is rich and smooth with a concentrated palate which reveals flavours of forest fruits and a vibrant black fruit acidity. Irresistible now, it also has great potential for the future. It is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Sangiovese, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 16% Merlot.

2018-2024, m6 D9

mellow, dark fruits, black cherries, vanilla, spice 18°c

Forest fruits, blackberries

Pan-seared beef fillet with blue cheese and blackberry-port sauce

hOO k & l adder m erl O t, lO s a mig O s r an C h, e state bO ttled, Chalk h ill, 2015 merlot $ 70.17 $ 421.00

The cool climate of the Russian River Valley suits Merlot, producing more precise wines than Merlot grown in warmer regions. Hook & Ladder Merlot 2015 has concentrated aromas of blackcurrants, sweet dark fruits and vanilla. It is juicy with plump fruits and black cherry flavours. Fine in texture, it has good acidity and tannin structure with a long finish. Merlot grapes were grown on Los Amigos Ranch in Chalk Hill. The grapes were gently de-stemmed and crushed then fermented in tank. The wine was matured for seventeen months in French and American oak, 25% new.

2018-2023, m6 D9

blackcurrants, sweet dark fruits, vanilla 18°c

cherry

9899

ne W

hOOk & l adder reserve Cabernet s auvignOn, “third a larm”, lOs a migOs r anCh, estate bOttled, Chalk hill, 2015

c abernet Sauvignon

$ 79.00 $ 474.00

“Third Alarm” is a selection of the best barrels. It is concentrated and structured, requiring more time to reach its optimum for drinking. Spicy vanilla, smoky bacon and cola cube aromas lead to succulent fruits and sweet vanilla on the palate. It is rich and concentrated with oaky flavours of smoke and creosote. It was matured for twenty months in French oak from artisanal Burgundian family cooperage Claude Gillet and American oak with 35% new.

9897

hOO k & l adder Zinfandel, e state bO ttled, russian r iver valley, 2015

Zinfandel

$ 70.17 $ 421.00 ne W

This Zinfandel displays typical herbal vermouth aromas with coffee and floral notes. It is soft on the attack as floral and blueberry flavours emerge, leading to redcurrants and a grippy finish. Over 90% of the grapes came from Hook & Ladder’s Gambogi Ranch vineyard planted in 1909 and farmed by the De Loach family since the 1970s. The grapes were harvested between September 9th and September 22nd, and fermented in open-top tanks, followed by aging in American oak barrels for seventeen months with 20% new.

9898

hOO k & l adder Cabernet s auvign O n, lO s a mig O s r an C h, e state bO ttled, Chalk h ill, 2015

c abernet Sauvignon, merlot

$ 72.50 $ 435.00

This is a dense wine with fresh black fruits, black cherries, blackcurrant and smoky aromas. Los Amigos Ranch lies just south of Healdsburg in the Chalk Hill appellation, on the western foothills of the Mayacamas range. This is a fine wine, smooth and concentrated with bitter black cherry, nutmeg and ginger flavours. It is tight and structured with a long chocolate, vanilla and savoury finish, and the potential to mature nicely. 3% Merlot was added to the final wine to give more midpalate weight and enhance the silky texture.

Alexander Valley Blue Rock estate c alifornia

A whirlwind visit to see Kenny Kahn in February was well worth it to hear about his latest projects. Kenny and his wife Cheryl recently purchased land in Sonoma’s coastal region, close to the Petaluma Gap, with a view to making fine Pinot Noir. The 30 acres of virgin land were being prepared for planting in spring so it will be at least three years before any wines are made. The couple has owned Blue Rock Estate at Cloverdale since 1987, and have fully restored the historic property and buildings. It is beautiful and well worth a visit if going to Alexander Valley. A new winemaker, Kent Humphrey, was appointed from the 2016 vintage; his first vintage of Baby Blue is delicious.

“Each farming practice is tempered by the specific requirements, the varied microclimates and the knowledge that comes from a historical relationship with every vine.“

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon produces generous fruit and robust tannins.

9900

b aby b lue e state r ed b lend, b lue rOC k v ineyard, a lexander valley, sO n O ma, 2016

c abernet Sauvignon, merlot, Syrah, malbec, Petit Verdot, c abernet Franc

$ 67.50 $ 405.00

Baby Blue is produced from all six varieties planted on the estate, with the proportions of each varying depending on the vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon always forms the backbone of the blend, with 46% in 2016, blended with 35% Merlot, 6% Syrah, 6% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. The wine has mellow cooked fruit aromas with vanilla spice, ginger and succulent fruits. The palate has juicy acidity and good depth with the focus very much on fruit. It is structured with some grainy tannins. All the grapes were grown on the Blue Rock estate, named after the high content of stones, rocks and boulders of blue Serpentine. The wine was matured for twelve months in French oak barrels.

vanilla, succulent fruits

9901

b lue rOC k e state, Cabernet s auvign O n, a lexander valley, 2015

c abernet Sauvignon $ 91.17 $ 547.00

This is an elegant wine with a ripe

bouquet of dark fruits, cassis, blueberries and vanilla. It is soft and smooth with floral, chocolate and bitter cherry flavours evolving in the mouth. Fine-grained in texture with a medium body, the grapes came from the oldest plots on the estate planted in 1987. It was matured for twenty-two months in 50% new French oak and 50% one-year-old barrels.

Raisins, cassis, blueberries, herbs, vanilla 18°c

meaty, chocolate, bitter cherry

Pan-seared filet mignon with garlic-herb butter and brussels sprouts

— today, everything is a modern version of things that existed before, but Kenny Kahn has preserved the estate’s old-world style.

A softer and lighter wine with mellow plummy fruit aromas and savoury bitter chocolate flavours, it is mediumbodied with good acidity and a dry finish. Winemaker Sterling Albert has an interesting background, having previously been an orchid grower, landscaper and engineering contractor, as well as a cook during college. He was blown away when he tasted a bottle of Château Pétrus on his 21st birthday. His ongoing pursuit is to create California wines that rival the best of France.

Aged in Tennessee Bourbon barrels, Sparkplug has aromas of cola cubes and vanilla, mingling with tarragon and oregano herbs over a ripe dark cherry background. Produced by Chateau Diana in the Dry Creek Valley AVA, it is an interesting blend of 71% Malbec, 11% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Zinfandel. This is a bold wine, with 15% alcohol, medium to full-bodied with flavours of black treacle and dark fruits with a fine texture.

GV Cellars is a family winery based in the Solano County Green Valley AVA, to the east of the Bay area. It is a small valley, approximately one mile wide and four miles long. Established in 2005, GV Cellars farms 30 acres of vineyards growing six varietals, and sources high-quality fruit from around the region. This Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the neighbouring Lodi region. Deep plum in colour, it has spicy floral notes with some sweet pipe tobacco aroma and a hint of leather. Firm on the palate with sour blackberries and other dark fruits, it has a grainy texture and a chewy finish with lingering spicy, incense flavours.

winter venison stew

9905

This is a vibrant Zinfandel with crunchy ripe red fruits, red apples and red cherries with lavender. Three versions of Zinfandelic are produced from different regions in California; my preference from the 2016 vintage was this wine from Mendocino County. It has refreshing acidity, with fresh cherry and violet flavours, and is mediumbodied with a long bitter cherry finish. The funky label encapsulates California cool in the 1960s. Produced from vineyards located in California’s rugged North Coast, the region benefits from high temperatures during the day and cool nights coupled with rich, well-drained soils.

9906

Wine s p O ts Cuvée 38, n apa valley, 2015

c abernet Sauvignon, merlot, c abernet Franc $ 59.00 $ 354.00

Following the success of Wine Spots Merlot offered last year, I have selected two other wines produced by Daniel LeFrancois, a keen traveller. Wine Spots relates to the spots on a map or plots of land that produce distinctive quality wines. Restrained in style, Cuvée 38 is a blend of classic Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grown in Napa Valley. It is named after the 38th parallel which passes through Napa Valley. The 2015 has aromas of red cherries, floral and forest floor notes with a savoury calfskin edge. It is medium-bodied with a grainy texture and some firm tannins.

Mellow with black cherries, smoke and spicy aromas, Merlot grapes for Wine Spots were sourced from the Stags Leap, Rutherford, and St. Helena sub-regions of Napa Valley. The 2015 is medium-bodied with a juicy mid-palate. It has good depth with dark black berry fruits, a grainy texture and a long bitter cherry finish. It was aged in French oak barrels, giving a kiss of vanilla and toast.

Intense oaky notes of cloves, cinnamon and smoke lay over a background of cooked apples and blackberries. Wine Spots Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is rich and concentrated on the palate with dried fruits and a long spicy, cedary finish. This is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that will benefit from some bottle age for the oak to integrate more fully. Cabernet Sauvignon is planted on gravelly well-drained hillside slopes in Stags Leap, Rutherford and St. Helena.

“At

Kenefick Ranch, we believe that great wine starts in the vineyard. We are dedicated to producing the best fruit in the Napa Valley and bottling the purest representation of a lifelong dream.“

Calistoga, Napa Valley Kenefick Ranch c alifornia

In February, I visited Kenefick Ranch on the outskirts of Calistoga at the northern end of Napa Valley. The 250-acre ranch is tucked into the foothills of the craggy Palisades Mountains and neighbours the iconic and historic Eisele Vineyard, now owned by Château Latour’s François Pinault. The Napa Valley runs north westwards, and this region represents its most western point, and is the warmest part of valley; temperatures can be a full 15°C warmer than in Carneros during the day. However, the region is surrounded by mountains which capture cool air at night and so has the largest diurnal shift in temperature, which is important for flavour development and fine tannins.

I spent the morning with Dr. Tom Kenefick and his son Chris. The vineyard was established in the late 1970s by Tom, who was a practicing neurosurgeon in San Francisco at the time. Now retired, he lives on the ranch and is still very hands-on with his son Chris and daughter Caitlin running the business. For the time being, wines are made by Kent Jarman at a nearby winery, although the family have applied for a permit to build their own facility. The winery produces four red wines, each characterized by a fine silky texture with great finesse.

Petit Verdot

Dense in colour, the 2015 Merlot has oaky aromas of pencil lead and cigar box over ripe black cherries, with the oak dominating somewhat at the time of tasting. Flavours of ripe fruits lie behind chocolate, spice and savoury notes. This is a complex wine with a soft, smooth attack. 12% Petit Verdot was combined with Merlot to add depth and balanced acidity. It is medium-bodied with a fine texture, dark fruits and a long savoury, smoky finish. The grapes were harvested on August 27th, 2015 and underwent a four-day cold soak before fermentation. It was matured in barrel for eighteen months using 60% new French Oak and 40% neutral oak from coopers Taransaud, Sylvain and Treuil. Tom described it as a, “Merlot for Cab drinkers”, and I completely understand what he means. This is a wine with great balance which will benefit from cellaring.

k enefi C k r an C h Cabernet f ran C , Caitlin’s s ele C t, e state g r OW n, Calist O ga, n apa valley, 2015

c abernet Franc, merlot, Petit Verdot $ 86.67 $ 520.00

Cooked and dried fruits with figs, raisins and plums precede a soft, smooth palate. A red berry acidity emerges with flavours of bitter red cherries and black treacle. It is more savoury than the Merlot with a long finish. Cabernet Franc was blended with 10% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot. All the grapes were picked by hand and the wine matured in oak for eighteen months, then bottled on June 9th, 2017.

bitter cherries, black treacle

braised veal shanks with raisins and figs

—

Dr. tom

and winemaker Kent Jarman sample the fruit in anticipation of harvest.

k enefi C k r an C h p i C kett rO ad r ed, e state g r OW n, Calist O ga, n apa valley, 2015 Petit Verdot, merlot, c abernet Franc $ 110.17 $ 661.00

Lamb and rosemary hotpot with paprika potatoes

Aromas of smoke and black cherries lead to a smooth wine with red and black fruits, black cherry and vanilla flavours. Rich and concentrated, it is tight knit and full-bodied. Produced from 50% Petit Verdot, 38% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc, each variety was harvested by hand at 2 a.m. to benefit from the cool night air. It was matured in a variety of French oak barrels with 70% new.

napa Valley is renowned as a premier wine-producing region. These wines are proof! 9911

k enefi C k r an C h Cabernet s auvign O n, Chris’s Cuvée, e state g r OW n, Calist O ga, n apa valley, 2015

c abernet Sauvignon, merlot, Petit Verdot

Mellow, ripe dark fruits, cooked blackcurrant compote and vanilla are hugely enticing. The Cabernet Sauvignon has more depth on the nose and the oak is well-integrated. Soft, rich and ripe on the palate, it is a structured wine, full-bodied and quite firm. Flavours of bitter black fruits and chocolate lead to a very long, savoury finish; a wine with huge potential. Cabernet Sauvignon was picked by hand between September 29th and October 2nd, 2015. 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot complete the assemblage. It was matured in French oak barrels for eighteen months with 75% new.

2018-2030, m5 D7

mellow, ripe dark fruits, vanilla, cooked blackcurrant compote 18°c

black fruits, savoury, bitter cherry

beef stew with carrots, mushrooms and sweet onions

“Our passion is to create wines that reflect the beauty surrounding us in the Southern Willamette Valley.“

–Sweet Cheeks Winery & Vineyard

While there is more and more outside investment coming from larger groups into Oregon’s vineyards, it remains very much a community of small holdings and family-run wineries. The cool climate makes it most suitable for white grape varieties, and of course it is famous for Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. 9913

sW eet Cheeks Winery & v ineyard p in O t g ris, Willamette valley, 2015

Pinot Gris

$ 48.17 $ 289.00

Sweet Cheeks Winery & Vineyard at Eugene in the southern part of the Willamette Valley was founded by Dan Smith. Dan planted vineyards on gently rolling hills from 1978 through the early 1980s and supplied grapes to local wineries. In 2005 he expanded the venture to create his own winery. Today, Sweet Cheeks Winery & Vineyard has 55 acres of vineyards and the wines are made by Dan’s first employee Leo Gabica, now winemaker, whose son Ian has also joined the business. Sweet Cheeks Pinot Gris 2015 has lots of appeal with aromas of fresh green apples and fresh fennel. It is light to medium-bodied with some spritz, supple with a tangy lemon and mandarin finish.

Willamette Valley

Holloran Vineyard Wines

Eve and Bill Holloran moved to the Portland area in 1999 and purchased a vineyard in Dundee Hills as well as a parcel of land in Eola-Amity Hills which they planted. Their first vintage was made in a converted horse barn. Now the vineyards, tended to by Vicente Mora, are nicely mature and they have a purpose-built winery where the wines are made by Mark La Gasse.

Oregon boasts more than 700 wineries and more than 1,000 vineyards growing 72 grape varieties.

Oregon is most famous for its Pinot Noir and Holloran makes several cuvées and singlevineyard Pinots as well as the Stafford Hill which is a lighter wine ready for early drinking. The 2015 Stafford Hill is light to medium-bodied with redcurrant and cranberry flavours. The grapes come from several plots in Dundee Hills, Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills.

The Holloran Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is made from a selection of the best barrels and is distinctly more concentrated with fresh red fruits, aromas of red cherries and strawberries, with a hint of menthol. It is soft and smooth with more body and potential for cellaring. It is balanced with a long, smooth finish. In keeping with the 2014 offered last year, the style is more towards red rather than black fruits, more classic and elegant in stature. The grapes were de-stemmed, fermented Burgundian style, with regular punching down of the cap, and then matured in French oak barrels.

A well-made, currently restrained Riesling with good potential, the grapes were grown on Le Pavillon Vineyard in the Dundee Hills. The 2016 is pale yellow in colour with some wet stone and lime aromas. It is soft with an off-dry sweetness perfectly balanced by the acidity, giving it a medium body with honeyed flavours and nice depth.

Redcurrant, cranberry

chicken wellington with cranberry-walnut stuffing 2018-2023,

Smooth fruits

classic roast turkey with fruit-chestnut stuffing

Murcia Familia Bastida

The Bastida family has been making wine in different regions of Spain since 1870. They continue to make a range of wines in Jumilla, Ribera del Duero and Cava, among others.

9917

mO lina Cán O vas, b rut n ature, eCO lógi CO, t raditi O nal m eth O d, d O Cava

chardonnay, macabeo

Lime and quince aromas with some herbs lead to a crisp, dry palate. This is a wellbalanced Cava with fine bubbles, produced from 50% Chardonnay and 50% Macabeo. The grapes were harvested in early September and fermented to produce a base wine. A second fermentation in bottle was followed by twenty months aging on lees.

2018-2019, m8 D9

Lime, quince, herbs 6°c

Dry, crisp, [02]

Pan-seared scallops with lime, chilli and coriander

Sauvignon blanc, Airen

$ 20.00 $ 120.00

Rio Lilo Sauvignon BlancAiren is pale in colour with fruity aromas of fresh lemons, limes and green apples. Sauvignon Blanc and Airen were grown on calcareous soils around Murcia, in the southeast of Spain at between 600 and 800 metres.

2018-2019, m8 D9

Lemon, lime, fresh apples 6°c

melon, pears, [01]

lemon-crab salad

A flavoursome fruity wine made from organic grapes, Genio Español has ripe red fruit and cherry aromas. Produced from 100% Monastrell grapes grown in old vineyards, the wine spent two to three months in French and American oak barrels. It is medium-bodied and wellbalanced with juicy red fruits.

2018-2020, m8 D9

Juicy red fruits

Grilled chorizo with black-eyed beans

A savoury wine with aromas of black olive and meat juices, it is produced from 100% Tempranillo grown on old vines in La Aguilera in the province of Burgos, in the heart of Ribera del Duero. The grapes were picked and fermented for 16 to 20 days. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation and was matured in 300-litre American oak barrels for nine months.

Mellow ripe fruits, cooked crushed fruit compote and red cherries lead to a soft, juicy palate. It is a blend of 85% Monastrell and 15% Syrah. It is soft with flavours of red cherries and chocolate, and some depth. Finca El Lince was aged eight to nine months in a combination of American and French oak barrels.

More savoury in nature and typical of the Monastrell grape, it has spicy and leather notes over a fruity background. The palate has some firm tannins with earthy fruits on the finish. Monastrell grapes from the oldest vineyards were grown in the hot, arid conditions of Southern Spain where it produces structured reds. It was matured for ten months in American and French oak barrels.

Grilled short ribs with patatas bravas

Last day to order September 21, 2018

Vinoselección

Three favourites representing three very different styles from three regions of Spain.

“In the vineyard we work in a traditional way, with cultivation practices that are very respectful to the vine and the environment.“

–Bodega Sommos Garnacha

val de l O s f railes rO sad O, d O Cigales, 2017, bO dega

valdel O sfrailes, g rup O m atarr O mera

tempranillo, Verdejo

$ 24.67 $ 148.00

Intense red fruits, raspberries and strawberry aromas produce a fruity wine. Crisp and dry, more flavours of strawberry and raspberry combine with redcurrants and a long lingering finish. It was produced from a blend of 80% black Tempranillo and 20% white Verdejo grapes. After a cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine was kept on lees for three months. It is produced by Carlos Moro at Cubillas de Santa Marta, in the province of Valladolid.

2018-2019, m8 D9

Strawberries, raspberries 6°c

Strawberry, redcurrant, [00]

Fried goat cheese and strawberry salad

The 2018 ordering season ends with Cellar 261. Look for Cellar 262 November 9

9925

a lque Z de sO mm O s g arna C ha, v iñas v ie J as, d O Calatayud, 2015, bO dega sO mm O s g arna C ha

This is a Garnacha with great depth and poise, due essentially to the very old bush vines planted at an altitude of 950 metres. The vineyards are some of the oldest in the Sierra de Pardos and Sierra de Santa Cruz in Calatayud, in the province of Zaragoza. Each old vine produces less than one kilo of grapes. Ripe dark fruit aromas with cooked cherries, wild strawberries, herbs and some menthol notes lead to a succulent palate. Alquez de Sommos Garnacha 2015 is a vibrant wine with lively acidity and a long black liquorice finish. It is produced by Bodega Sommos Garnacha, based in the hamlet of Murero, with just 76 inhabitants.

9926

l uis a legre Crian Z a, e di C ión l imitada, d OCa r i OJ a, 2015, bO degas l uis a legre

tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha

$ 32.83 $ 197.00

Herbal, earthy aromas intermingle with dark cherries. This is a Crianza which matured for fourteen months in a combination of American and French oak. 50% of the barrels were new, although the oak is in no way dominant. It is a blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 5% Garnacha from vineyards with an average age of 45 years grown around the town of Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa. Luis Alegre Crianza 2015 is medium-bodied with fresh fruits, black olive flavours, a smooth fine texture and vibrant acidity.

Succulent fruits, black liquorice

beef rib roast with roasted fennel and horseradish cream sauce

Our Programs

Opimian’s wine programs are designed to help you develop your palate at each stage of your journey. It starts with Discovery; once you’ve cultivated your curiosity and explored the wine world, you can graduate to Select Plus — the “next level” mixed cases, with both ready to drink wines and wines for aging. After you’ve challenged your palate and started your cellar, it’s time to start collecting with Founders’ Choice — premium wines available exclusively through this program. You do not 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 opimian.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 features wines that 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 some of 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.