C279-QC

CALIFORNIA, OREGON AND SPAIN

Order between August 18 and September 21, 2020

Ordering Made Easy

1. SELECT YOUR WINES

Let yourself be inspired by our detailed descriptions to find out which wines best suit your palate. Our custom chart on the left also features a variety of user-friendly symbols that can guide your selection.

M—Degree of Maturity (1-10)

M1 = lay down

M10 = fully mature

Grape variety Red - White - RoséSparkling - Port

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

Organic*

Vegetarian**

Limited quantities

Limited

Very limited

Extremely limited Less than 100 cases available

Members’ Choice 2019 favourite

Opimian Suggests Starting a cellar

Medal Winner

Discovery

2019 Discovery Program Case - C270

Select Plus 2019 Select Plus Program Case - C270

D—Degree of Drinkability (1-10)

D1 = needs time

D10 = ready to drink

Still unsure what to order? Opimian’s Member Service team is always available to help you make an informed choice. Call us at 1-800-361-9421 or e-mail MemberService@Opimian.ca

2. PLACE YOUR ORDER

Last day to order for this Cellar Offering is Monday, September 21, 2020

No orders will be processed after this time. There are four ways to order:

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

• Email MemberService@Opimian.ca with your selection.

• Call 1-800-361-9421, Monday-Friday, 10am - 5pm ET.

• Mail your order by September 10, 2020. Please allow 10 days for delivery by Canada Post.

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.

Release dates are dependent upon actual arrival dates, distance from port of entry to liquor board and processing time required by each liquor board. For this Cellar Offering, the expected release date is February 2021

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.

Conditions of Purchase

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

• Prices include all applicable federal and provincial markups and taxes.

• A valid membership card is required to order.

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

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.

*This information is provided by our suppliers and reflects the certifications of their own countries which do not necessarily match Canadian norms.

**This information is provided by our producers and may not reflect Canadian norms.

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

California

Cellar 279

California, Oregon and Spain

Focusing on Spain and the U.S., this cellar offering showcases a wide spectrum of wines from the most renowned regions in both countries. A range of styles and grape varieties are to be enjoyed, including good value wines for everyday drinking to some very special wines for those more festive occasions.

JANE MASTERS MW, OPIMIAN’S MASTER OF WINE

Every wine offered by Opimian is tasted and selected for its deliciousness and value by our consultant Master of Wine, Jane Masters MW. Jane also chooses the mixed cases for Opimian’s Discovery and Select Plus subscription programs for members to discover wines in an easy way, as well as wines for the premium Founders’ Choice program. As one of 394 Masters of Wine worldwide, Jane has in-depth knowledge and her aim is to share her love of wine with members via the Cellar Offering. She was elected Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine 2016-2018.

A

CALIFORNIA

Larkspur Mountain View Vintners

Since Angelo Pera and his family took over at Mountain View wines in Morgan Hill, the company has seen a renewed vigour. Angelo’s focussed approach to growing and sourcing high quality grapes from Monterey, Amador, Napa, Sonoma and the Central Coast by building partnerships with growers has led to a wider portfolio of high-quality wines.

FOR THIS

2022 OPIMIAN CALIFORNIA WHITE

Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer

$ 17.00 $ 204.00

Opimian California

White is a special blend made specifically for Members. It’s light and refreshing with flavours of fresh peaches and pears; made from Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer.

2023 OPIMIAN CALIFORNIA RED

Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, Merlot

A spicy wine with cooked red fruit flavours, strawberries and coffee made from California’s main grapes Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon blended with some Petite Syrah and Merlot. Woody notes show through – with half the wine aged in American oak. Perfect for everyday drinking.

2024 RIVERVIEW VINEYARDS RED WINE, CALIFORNIA, 2018

Zinfandel, Merlot, Ruby Cabernet

$ 21.00 $ 252.00

A soft, smooth red with spices, vanilla and fresh red fruits.

Riverview Red has good mid-palate weight with succulent fruits and mellow flavours.

2020-2022, M8 D9

Vanilla, fresh red fruits, spice 18°C

berries

Tomato, speck, Gruyère sandwiches

2025 RIVERVIEW VINEYARDS MERLOT, CALIFORNIA, 2018

Merlot

$ 25.00 $ 300.00

Aromas of strawberries are followed by floral violets and herbal notes. Riverview Merlot has a nice savoury character from six months spent in French oak barrels which combines perfectly with black cherry flavours. It’s supple with a juicy acidity and harmonious balance. Merlot was grown in one of Mountain View’s vineyards located just 24 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

2020-2022, M8 D9

Strawberries, violet, herbs 18°C

Black cherries

Pâtés and charcuterie

2026 RIVERVIEW VINEYARDS ZINFANDEL, CALIFORNIA, 2017

Zinfandel

$ 25.00 $ 300.00

Seemingly lighter in structure on the palate than Riverview Merlot despite being just over 14% alcohol, Riverview Zinfandel exudes fresh blueberries and floral aromas. It has a tangy balsamic acidity with sour cherries and redcurrant flavours lingering on the tongue. Matured for 12 months in French oak barrels.

2020-2022, M8 D9

Floral, blueberries 18°C

Balsamic, redcurrants

Braised lamb shank with fennel

Don’t miss our Q&A with Mountain View’s Angelo Pera in Vino Etcetera.

Riverview is an unoaked Chardonnay with tropical fruit aromas, yellow nectarines, pineapple and tinned mandarins. It’s medium bodied with a creamy pineapple yogurt finish.

Tinned fruit cocktail, peaches in syrup and a hint of orange blossom are complemented by a malted biscuit character producing an interesting and appealing nose. This is a soft, easy drinking wine with sweet fruits and a touch of vanilla. Grapes were farmed from Mountain View’s 40-acre vineyard in Monterey, planted in 1982. It spent three months in French oak barrels.

fruits, vanilla, [00]

Grilled shrimp skewers with mango

2029

RIDGE PINOT GRIGIO, CALIFORNIA, 2019

Pinot Grigio

$ 25.00 $ 300.00

An easy drinking Californian Pinot Grigio which is always popular with Opimian Members. It has melon, stone fruits and fresh apple flavours and is smooth with refreshing acidity and a citrus finish. Pinot Grigio grapes were grown in the La Slough Vineyard in the Clarksburg Delta.

Sauvignon Blanc $ 26.00 $ 312.00 NEW

2030 BUTTERFLY RIDGE SAUVIGNON BLANC, CALIFORNIA, 2019

2031 BUTTERFLY RIDGE ZINFANDEL ROSÉ, CALIFORNIA, 2019

Zinfandel, Pinot Noir $ 21.00 $ 252.00

Wow! I wrote in my tasting notes: one of the best California Sauvignon Blancs for the price – ever! This based on its intensity, combination of flavours and sheer drinkability. Aromas of grapefruits, blackcurrants and elderflowers lead to a smooth finish.

An off-dry rosé with appealing flavours of watermelon and cranberries. It’s smooth with a low-ish alcohol at 10% and delicate acidity. Zinfandel was combined with 36% Pinot Noir to produce a lighter, drier style.

Vegetable terrine

BUTTERFLY RIDGE CABERNET

SAUVIGNON, CENTRAL COAST, 2019

Cabernet Sauvignon

$ 32.00 $ 192.00

duck breast with redcurrant gastrique

2033 BUTTERFLY RIDGE MERLOT, CENTRAL COAST, 2019

Merlot

$ 26.00 $ 312.00

Butterfly Ridge Merlot has earthy, smoky graphite aromas combined with a soft, smooth palate. Red cherry flavours, a juicy acidity and supple tannins all combine to make it extremely drinkable and very moreish. The vineyard lies on the east side of Santa Maria in California’s Central Coast.

The first vintage of Butterfly Ridge Cabernet was produced in 1994, so 2019 celebrates the 25th anniversary of this wine – and does it with a great vintage. Perfumed with intense floral aromas, violets and sweet blueberries, Butterfly Ridge Cabernet is flavoursome while being a light- to mediumbodied wine. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were grown in a vineyard in northern Paso Robles – a region famed for its Cabernet. It was matured for six months in oak barrels and finishes with flavours of black cherry yogurt and redcurrants.

Mountain View Vintners is committed to the pursuit of ecologically sound practices.

A snack of walnut-stuffed prunes

2034

BUTTERFLY

RIDGE PINOT NOIR, CENTRAL COAST, 2019

2035 DUXINARO CHARDONNAY, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, 2018

Pinot Noir

$ 34.00 $ 204.00

Redcurrants, cranberries, red cherry and other crunchy red fruits all come together with the slightest kiss of oak in Butterfly Ridge Pinot Noir: it’s soft and elegant in structure. Grown in the Santa Maria vineyard, the Pinot Noir grapes enjoy warm, sunny summer afternoons tempered by cool, foggy evenings and early mornings.

2020-2023, M8 D9

Redcurrants 18°C

Cranberry, red cherries

Chardonnay

$ 36.00 $ 216.00

A premium oaked Chardonnay, Duxinaro 2018 has roasted pineapple and toasty aromas with more lime and peaches on the palate. It’s a dry wine with layers of flavours and is satisfyingly tasty with great persistence in the mouth. Planted in 1998, Chardonnay was grown in a prime vineyard in the cool climate of the Russian River Valley. The 2018 was matured for 12 months in French oak barrels creating a wine with depth and complexity. Duxinaro wines are produced from small three- to seven-acre single vineyards in top regions. This has required Angelo and his team to re-think and invest in ways to handle small production efficiently; hence, the name – a play on the phrase “ducks in a row” – and the great label.

The Duxinaro wines are top notch and Angelo loves creating these high-end wines.

2036 DUXINARO PINOT NOIR, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, 2017

Woody aromas combine with floral and black cherry notes to give lots of appeal.

Duxinaro Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied wine with ripe dark fruit and liquorice flavours. It was aged for eight months in French oak barrels, and while it’s quite marked by the wood on the nose, it’s perfectly round and smooth with no edges at all.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY, 2015

$ 46.00 $ 276.00

A wine with bundles of charm and immediate appeal. It’s complex but that doesn’t mean it needs contemplation to enjoy it. This Cabernet Sauvignon has a sweet mellow bouquet with lots of fruits and vanilla. Its layers of flavours unfurl willingly in the glass with juicy dark fruits and toasty flavours, justifying the reputation that Napa enjoys for top-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. In this instance, grapes were grown on Mountain View’s small Encore Vineyard in Rutherford. Hugely pleasurable already, it should remain at its peak for some years to come. Produced from the small but high-quality 2015 vintage, it was matured in French oak barrels for 36 months.

Beef tagine with dates

CALIFORNIA

Sierra Foothills

Kautz Family Vineyards

The Kautz family are synonymous with Lodi and the Sierra Foothills in northern California. Grape growing in the region dates to the 1850s and the Gold Rush with the Kautz family settling in Lodi in 1926. Throughout Prohibition, grape farmers in the region continued to cultivate vines on the basis of making wines for “home consumption.” Many other regions saw vines ripped out and replaced with fruit trees. It is these same – now very old – Zinfandel vines that have built Lodi’s reputation.

2039

Chardonnay, Viognier $

The 2019 Stone Valley Chardonnay has intense guava and passionfruit aromas. It’s smooth and medium bodied with lots of tropical fruit flavour. A splash of Viognier was added. Stone Valley wines, produced by the Kautz family, are named after California’s well-drained gravelly soils suited to viticulture and grape production.

Cabernet Sauvignon

$ 22.00 $ 264.00 2041 STONE VALLEY RED BLEND, CALIFORNIA, 2019

Zinfanfel, Merlot, Petite Sirah $ 22.00 $ 264.00

A lighter-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with floral lavender aromas and herbal notes of tarragon with some mint. It has grip on the palate with berry flavours and a touch of grass. Grape lots were sourced from selected vineyards around Lodi in Sloughhouse, Clements Hills and Mokelumne River.

This typical California blend is based on Zinfandel combined with Merlot and Petite Sirah. It has aromas of red berries and sweet jellybeans combined with vanilla toast. Soft and supple, it has a bitter cherry twist on the finish.

2042 MADDIE LANE VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY, LODI, 2019 Chardonnay

A smooth, oaky

Chardonnay with lots of toasty notes. It has spicy aromas with caramelized pineapple fruits and grilled almond flavours. Named after Gail and John Kautz’s granddaughter Maddie, who represents the fourth generation, the grapes were selected from the Mokelumne River sub-region in Lodi.

2020-2022, M8 D9

Roasted pineapple, toast 6°C

Pineapple yogurt, grilled almonds, [00]

Chilled poached salmon with fennel-yogurt sauce

2043 MADDIE LANE VINEYARDS OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, LODI, 2018

Zinfandel $ 36.00 $ 216.00

Lodi and its surrounding vineyards reputedly have some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in California. Gnarled old vines survived the existential threat of Prohibition and have outlived generations of grape growers. The 2018 Maddie Lane is perfumed with blueberries and candy floss with some leather notes. It’s a smooth rich wine which is full bodied with more aromatic raspberry and blueberry flavours shining through on the palate.

2020-2024, M7 D9

candy

18°C

Beef goulash with spaetzle and sour cream

CALIFORNIA

Russian River Valley Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery

Winemaker Jason De Loach runs Hook & Ladder Winery on the outskirts of Santa Rosa in the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. Sited among old vines on the historic Olivet Road, the winery was established by his grandparents, Cecil and Christine. The Russian River Valley is a cool region in Californian terms, and Jason farms 80 hectares of vineyards to make great quality wines. Before becoming a full-time grape grower, Cecil was a fireman based in San Francisco; the winery and many of the wines are named in recognition of that time. You may recall that 2017 was a year of devastating wildfires which hit Santa Rosa particularly badly and stopped close to the Winery. I visited Hook & Ladder in January 2018 and was impressed by Jason’s resilience in dealing with the situation. Most of the grapes had been harvested before the fire but winemaking had to adapt to electricity outages and a shortage of staff – some of whom had lost their homes. All I can say is … what a result!

HOOK & LADDER THE TILLERMAN, ESTATE BOTTLED, CHALK HILL, 2017

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese $ 58.00 $ 348.00

Named after Cecil’s “tillerman” position at the back of the hookand-ladder fire truck, The Tillerman 2017 is a deliciously tasty wine with mellow dark fruit aromas, ripe fresh blackcurrants, blackberries, woody spices and liquorice root. Explosive dark fruits on the palate are complemented by a vanilla cream flavour. It’s medium bodied with a grainy texture and lingering finish. Grapes were grown on the family’s Los Amigos Ranch just south of Healdsburg in the Chalk Hill subregion. The 2017 was made from 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc and 24% Merlot with a touch of Sangiovese (1%) and was matured for 18 months in a combination of American and European oak barrels.

2045

HOOK & LADDER STATION TEN, ESTATE BOTTLED, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, 2017

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

$ 58.00 $ 348.00

The 2017 Station 10 is a succulent wine with sweet ripe fruits, floral notes of lavender and beeswax aromas with some fresh mint aromas in the background. It is full bodied with flavours of blueberries and black cherry coulis with vanilla. Smooth and supple on the palate with a grainy texture, it has some grip on the finish. Zinfandel from 100-year-old vines planted pre-Prohibition forms the basis of the blend with Petite Sirah, Carignane, Cabernet Sauvignon and just a dash of Alicante Bouschet.

2020-2025, M7 D9

Lavender, beeswax, mint 18°C

Blueberries, black cherry, vanilla

Grilled venison tenderloin with blackberry sauce

2046

HOOK & LADDER PINOT NOIR, ESTATE BOTTLED, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, 2018

Pinot Noir $ 73.00 $ 438.00

A Pinot with intense aromas of strawberries, rose petals and toast. Medium bodied with succulent sweet red fruit flavours midpalate, it’s a rich, round Russian River Valley Pinot with a delightful firm and savoury finish adding depth. It’s more concentrated and powerful in style than an Oregon Pinot. Cecil de Loach planted the source Pinot Noir vineyard in 1973, just off Olivet Road on gentle rolling hills west of Santa Rosa. A coastal fog funnels up from the ocean and blankets the vines through mid-morning during the summer months. Its cooling effect slows down the ripening process allowing the grapes to develop lots of flavours.

2020-2026, M7 D9

Strawberries, hint rose petal, toast 18°C

Red fruits, savoury finish

Crabmeat-stuffed mushrooms

HOOK & LADDER CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ESTATE BOTTLED, CHALK HILL, 2017

Cabernet Sauvignon

$ 73.00 $ 438.00

“Flintstones”

A dreamy mellow wine with black cherries and vanilla cream, ripe blackberries, blueberries and cola aromas. Fine in texture with fresh fruit and cream flavours enhanced by a nice juicy acidity, it’s smooth with a long bitter chocolate and black cherry finish. Coming from a single vineyard, the grapes were grown in the warmer Chalk Hill subregion in the northeast of the Russian River Valley on the family’s Los Amigos Ranch. Just 224 cases were produced. Matured for 20 months in American and European oak with 30% new, the oak is seamlessly integrated with the fruit rather than overt.

2048

HOOK & LADDER CHARDONNAY, ESTATE BOTTLED, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, 2019

Chardonnay

$ 58.00 $ 348.00

A refined wine with subtle aromas of pink grapefruit, ripe apple, lemon curd and fresh cut grass. It’s soft and smooth with more flavours of grapefruit combined with peaches leading to a mineral finish with lime and citrus pith character. Fermented in French oak barrels, it has a touch of vanilla and was matured on lees for six months.

Alexander Valley Blue Rock Vineyard CALIFORNIA

Blue Rock Vineyard is named after the big boulders and pebbles of blue serpentine that are scattered in the ground. Who knows what specific characters they bring to the wines, but they are certainly beautiful. Kenny Kahn and his wife Cheryl were themselves captivated by the location, its beauty and its history: they’ve spent the last few decades renovating the property and tending its wines. The original stone house, dating to 1880, was a winery until Prohibition when it closed. The land was first settled by Italian immigrants who brought with them their ways and know-how, planting olive trees and vines and making the most of the Mediterranean climate. Kenny firmly believes that “the better we keep the earth, the better wines we can produce” –farming, therefore, with a view to preserve land and nature.

2049

BABY BLUE ESTATE RED BLEND, BLUE ROCK VINEYARD, ALEXANDER VALLEY, SONOMA, 2018

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

$ 70.00 $ 420.00

Oaky aromas of cloves and vanilla are laid over a mulberry fruit background. Baby Blue 2018 is medium bodied with toasted almonds and cherry fruit flavours. It’s elegant and fine in texture with lingering flavours. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone of Baby Blue blended with five other varieties grown on the estate.

2021-2026, M7 D8

2050

Toast, cherries

Beef carpaccio with sun-dried tomatoes and arugula

BLUE ROCK ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ALEXANDER VALLEY, 2017

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

$ 103.00 $ 618.00

Immediately appealing aromas of vanilla, pâtisserie, blackberries and strudel lead to a flavoursome palate. The 2017 is youthful, refined in character and elegant with scrumptious blueberry and blackberry flavours. Delicious now, it has plenty of years ahead. It was matured in French oak barrels for 24 months using 37% new oak bringing mellow vanilla notes. The best barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon were blended with Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc harvested from the best block on the estate in Alexander Valley.

2020-2030, M7 D8

CALIFORNIA

Healdsburg Dry Creek Valley Chateau Diana

Chateau Diana is a family-owned winery in Dry Creek Valley, northeast of Healdsburg. Established by Tom and Diane Manning 30 years ago, it remains a family affair producing a range of wines in Dry Creek.

2051

707 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, SONOMA COUNTY, 2018

$ 38.00 $ 228.00 NEW

2052

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

A concentrated spicy wine, dense in texture with black fruits, sour cherry and a hint of smoke. Medium to full bodied, it will benefit from some cellaring before reaching its optimum for drinking. Cabernet Sauvignon was blended with 15% Merlot.

707 PINOT NOIR, SONOMA COUNTY, 2018

Pinot Noir

$ 38.00 $ 228.00

Rose petal and redcurrant aromas are complemented by vanilla overtones. 707 Pinot Noir is medium bodied with nice midpalate weight and a long, savoury finish with earthy Portobello mushroom flavours.

Redcurrants, roses, vanilla

Savoury, cranberry fruits

Portobello burger with Gouda

OREGON

Willamette Valley Holloran Vineyard Wines

Oregon wines have made their reputation on Pinot Noir. The region’s cool climate conditions are inevitably compared with Burgundy. Summers are long, warm and dry, with cool evenings which preserve acidity and allow for flavour development. Eve and Bill Holloran moved to Portland and purchased their first vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills in Willamette Valley, in 1999.

2053

$ 57.00 $ 342.00

2016 is a subtle wine with herbal red fruits, strawberry leaves and smoky aromas. It’s on the lighter side of medium bodied with mellow flavours of fruits and nutmeg spices. This was produced from selected barrels from different blocks, including some of Holloran’s oldest vineyards. An early start to the growing season followed by warmer than average temperatures resulted in a very early harvest in 2016. Grapes were harvested by hand, fermented in small lots with twice daily plunging of the skins by hand. It was matured for 18 months in French oak barrels.

Bill and Eve Holloran own and farm several vineyard sites in different parts of Willamette Valley. Each plot is farmed sustainably using organic and biodynamic principles with wines hand crafted in small lots by winemaker Mark La Gasse. The vineyard plots vary in age with the oldest planted in the early 1970s, have different mixes of Pinot Noir clones, soils, elevation and aspect which are expressed in each of the wines produced.

Two bottles each Dundee Hills, Le Pavillon & La Chenaie

The first grapes of the Willamette Valley were planted in the Dundee Hills approximately 30 miles southwest of Portland and 30 miles east of the Pacific. Dundee Hills are protected from the ocean climate by the Coast Range and soils are mainly basaltic. Grapes for this wine came from three sites: Le Pavillon and Ana, which are sited close to one another and were both planted in the 1970s, and the more recent La Colina further south planted in 1999. The 2015 has cherries and marzipan aromas with a very smooth palate and more red fruits.

Le Pavillon vineyard in Dundee Hills has a bowl-shaped topography facing mainly south with southeast and southwest exposure. It is small with six acres of Pinot Noir planted between 1972-74 using four different clones, some on own roots and some grafted. The most structured of the three wines in this mixed case, it displays restrained aromas of redcurrants and strawberry leaf, with a hint of violet and oak. It is medium bodied with red fruit and savoury flavours. It has supple tannins yet is quite firm overall, finishing with lingering cherry menthol flavours.

La Chenaie Vineyard is located in the EolaAmity Hills sub-region which is cooler due to a break in the Coast Range allowing a greater influence from the Pacific Ocean. Afternoon winds through the summer have a cooling effect and cause grapes to generally ripen two weeks later than in the Dundee Hills, despite its more southern location. At least six different clones of Pinot Noir are planted on rootstocks. 2015 La Chenaie has aromas of peonies, red cherries and menthol. It is a smooth medium-bodied wine with concentrated red and cooked fruit flavours.

fruits, berries

Grilled pork tenderloin with rhubarb compote

Figs, dried fruit and hazelnuts

Concentrated cooked red fruits

Polenta with wild mushroom ragout

Murcia Familia Bastida SPAIN

The Bastida family have been winemakers in Spain for over 150 years. They specialize in making wines from small plots of old vines in different regions around Spain, with a particular focus on the southeast around Jumilla and Utiel-Requena.

Sauvignon Blanc, Airen

Fresh mango, elderflower and blackcurrant aromas are intense and flavoursome on the palate. A distinctive dry white with a crisp finish from the southeast of Spain.

Blackcurrant gums, elderflower 6°C

Mango, [01]

Thai-Viet turkey lettuce cups

Red cherries, pomegranate and other red fruit aromas produce a wine with character. Quite light bodied, it has a grippy sour red fruit finish. 100% Monastrell selected from the Bastida family’s oldest plots was grown organically under the sunny climate in Murcia.

Red cherries, pomegranate 16°C

Sour red fruits

Sautéed sausages, peppers, onions

Produced from Bobal grapes, Biftu has fresh green herbal aromas of tarragon and grass with a hint of cardamom. It is medium to full bodied with more savoury flavours, black liquorice and some vanilla on the palate. Bobal is indigenous to the UtielRequena region and has good drought resistance. In this case, it was grown on 55-year-old bush vines pruned in the traditional manner. The wine was matured for a short time in French and Hungarian oak barrels.

The Bastida family have produced wine for over 150 years and 3 generations. Taste their know-how!

A full-bodied wine with dark blackberry fruits and coffee flavours. It has a juicy fruit acidity and nice mid-palate leading to quite a firm chewy finish and should mature nicely with time. Tempranillo from the oldest vineyards in La Aguilera region – known for its old vines – were the source of grapes. It was matured for nine months in American oak barrels.

Vinoselección SPAIN

Vinoseleccion, based in Barcelona, has a network of producers in key regions around Spain. Following are selected gems from the portfolio.

PRODUCER FOR THIS CELLAR

2060

Tempranillo

$ 25.00 $ 150.00

Crimson colour with aromas of strawberries, strawberry leaf and savoury character lead to a supple palate.

Crushed raspberries and blackcurrants shine through on the palate. Tempranillo grapes from three separate plots in Cigales were slowly fermented at very low temperature.

2020-2021, M8 D9

Crushed strawberries, strawberry leaf 6°C

Raspberries, blackcurrant, [00]

burgers with red pepper jam

Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo

$ 31.00 $ 186.00

A characterful wine coming from the mountain region of Somontano, close to the Pyrénées. The 2016 is showing some nice development of tertiary aromas –dried autumn leaves, with liquorice. On the palate, it’s structured and full bodied with a youthful acidity and a firm finish. Cabernet Sauvignon combined with 20% Tempranillo was matured for 12 months in French oak barrels.

M7 D8

2061

MONASTERIO DE LOS OLIVOS, VENDIMIA SELECCIONADA, VINO DE LA TIERRA DE CASTILLA Y LEÓN, PAGO DE LOS OLIVOS, 2016

Tinta Fina (Tempranillo)

$ 34.00 $ 204.00

fruits,

with a touch of smoke are all present on the nose. On the palate, more sweet vanilla flavours with blueberries and blackberries shine through. This is a full-bodied wine, youthful, oaky and with a grippy, grainy texture. Definitely not a shrinking violet of a wine! Grapes came from selected plots planted over 40 years ago at between 750950 metres altitude. Matured for 12 months in French and American oak barrels.

pairing?

2062

VALDRINAL TRADICIÓN CRIANZA, DO RIBERA DEL DUERO, 2016

Tinta Fina (Tempranillo)

$ 41.00 $ 246.00

A dense wine with a supple palate and velvety texture, it’s not yet very expressive but shows great promise. Figs, dates and raisins with a touch of savoury grassy notes are in balance. The wine has structure and fine tannins and should open nicely. The Valdrinal Winery farms 25 hectares of vineyards around the town of Aranda de Duero. Grapes were harvested by hand and then sorted on a selection table before undergoing a cold maceration. After fermentation, Valdrinal was matured in French oak.

2063

LUIS ALEGRE FINCA LA REÑANA RESERVA, DOCA. RIOJA, 2015

Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo

$ 39.00 $ 234.00

Plummy fruits, raisins and vanilla combine to create a mellow aroma. This is a full-bodied Rioja with a juicy mid-palate with red berry and vanilla flavours and a long spicy finish. Bodega Luis Alegre specializes in producing single vineyard wines with Finca La Reñana, one of the most outstanding plots with a limestone base and fine sand on top. The plot, planted in 1945, is located between Laguardia and Elvillar at 598 meters above sea level and produces wines with great elegance and longevity. Matured in French oak barrels for 16 months, 2015 is a great vintage with lots of cellaring potential.

Ferrer Family Wines SPAIN

The Ferrer family have been an integral part of Spanish wines, and in particular Cava for many years, having established and built The Freixenet Group since the 1860s. After selling the company, Pedro Ferrer now concentrates on his own small wine estates in key regions of Spain. Introduced to Opimian last year, the wines were an immediate hit with members.

Bodegas Solar Viejo

Bodegas Solar Viejo, in the medieval village of Laguardia amid the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria in Rioja Alavesa, was purchased by the Ferrer family in 2004. Winemaker Vanesa Insausti makes a range of distinctive Rioja wines.

Learn more about the Rioja wine region in Vino Etcetera.

2065

SOLAR VIEJO TEMPRANILLO, DOCA. RIOJA, BODEGAS SOLAR VIEJO, 2019

A smooth mediumbodied Rioja with fresh dark cherry fruit flavours. It’s supple with a fine texture and great balance made from 100% Tempranillo with no use of oak.

2066

SOLAR VIEJO CRIANZA, DOCA. RIOJA, BODEGAS SOLAR VIEJO, 2017

Maturation for 12 months in American and French oak barrels has produced a Crianza with mellow vanilla and pâtisserie aromas combining deliciously with cooked cherry fruits giving immediate appeal. A mediumbodied wine that’s elegant with some grainy tannins and a long vanilla toast finish. 2017 was characterized by a small crop due to an April frost and very low rainfall.

ORUBE CRIANZA, DOCA. RIOJA, BODEGAS SOLAR VIEJO, 2017

Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano

2069

SOLAR VIEJO RESERVA, DOCA. RIOJA, BODEGAS SOLAR VIEJO, 2015

Tempranillo, Graciano

Orube Crianza 2017 has mellow vanilla oak with cherries, red fruits and tarragon aromas. On the palate, it’s soft and smooth with juicy red berries and sour cherry flavours and a more linear structure leading to a tangy cranberry finish. It is fresh and hasn’t yet reached its peak. Produced from the best Tempranillo lots blended with Garnacha and Graciano, it was matured in French and American oak for 12 months.

Nutmeg, vanilla spices and liquorice complement red fruit aromas creating a wonderful bouquet. On the palate, 2015 Reserva is youthful with juicy red fruits, a touch of redcurrant astringency and a grainy texture – all of which will become mellow and seamless with time. 2015 was officially classified as a very good quality vintage in Rioja by the Consejo Regulador.

2070

ORUBE, BLANCO, FERMENTADO EN BARRICA, DOCA. RIOJA, BODEGAS SOLAR VIEJO, 2018

Viura, Chardonnay, Tempranillo Blanco

Having fermented and matured 6 months in American and French oak barrels, Orube Blanco exudes aromas of fresh coconut and coconut milk which complement fresh apple flavours producing a spicy, elegant and complex white with layers of flavour. It combines traditional Viura and Tempranillo Blanco grapes and a dollop of Chardonnay – and it works perfectly.

Spicy, complex layers of flavour, [01]

Shellfish tempura and dipping sauce

Bodegas Valdubón

2071 VALDUBÓN VERDEJO, DO RUEDA, 2019

Verdejo, Viura

$ 24.00 $ 144.00

Rueda produces some of Spain’s best white wines. Spring blossoms, jasmine and honeydew melon aromas and a soft, smooth palate with yet more floral notes and a touch of honey flavour make this a deliciously enjoyable wine. Produced from Verdejo and Viura grapes, with a short maceration on skins followed by fermentation in tank.

2072

VALDUBÓN TEMPRANILLO, DO RIBERA DEL DUERO, 2019

Tinta del País (Tempranillo)

$ 25.00 $ 150.00

A perfumed red with delicate rose-petal notes, this unoaked Tempranillo is medium bodied with a grippy finish. Tempranillo was grown in vineyards throughout the Ribera del Duero region, principally around the villages of Roa, Milagros and Pardilla.

2073

VALDUBÓN ROBLE, DO RIBERA DEL DUERO, 2018

Tinta del País (Tempranillo) $ 28.00 $ 168.00 NEW

A wine with lots of mellow oaky character. Strudel and vanilla are complemented with cooked raspberries and blackberries with a touch of fresh herbs. The 2018 is supple and medium bodied with intense flavours and lingering black cherry and blackberry.

Black cherry, fresh herbs

Barbecued rack of lamb and grilled vegetables

YOU & ME ALBARIÑO, DO RÍAS BAIXAS, VIONTA, 2019

Albariño from the northern Rias Baixas region is increasingly popular around the world. The 2019 You & Me has subtle honey and white springblossom aromas. It is a smooth wine developing quite a firm lemon acidity with good mid-palate weight and finishing with flavours of passionfruit and spices.

Try this new Spanish white from Galicia, where the Atlantic Ocean influences delicious wines.

Passionfruit, lemon, spices, [00]

Viticultors del Priorat

2075 MAS DE SUBIRÀ, VI DE GUARDA, BODEGAS MORLANDA, DOQ PRIORAT, 2018

Garnacha, Cariñena

A full-bodied, characterful wine with flavours of red apples, herbs and Christmas spices. It’s mouth-filling with fine tannins and a good acidity to create harmony. Produced from a blend of 50% Cariñena and 50% Garnacha grapes grown on Ferrer’s Els Palells Estate in the south of the Priorat Region at Bellmunt. Grapes were hand harvested into small boxes, fermented in tank, and the wine then transferred to French oak barrels for ten months. A big wine with plenty of life ahead of it.

Freixenet

2076

TORRE DEL GALL BRUT RESERVA, MÉTODO TRADICIONAL, DO CAVA

Macabeo, Xarel.lo, Parellada

The Ferrer family are best known for their production of sparkling Cava and for establishing its reputation in markets around the world.

Torre del Gall was produced from the best quality Macabeo, Xarel.lo and Parellada grapes. It has spices and white fruits with a touch of savoury resin and a lemon and apricot finish.

2077

TORRE DEL GALL BRUT ROSÉ, MÉTODO TRADICIONAL, DO CAVA

Trepat, Garnacha

Freixenet, previously owned by the Ferrer family, is the largest producer of traditional method sparkling wine in the world and the biggest exporter of Cava. Produced from the local Catalonian Trepat grape and Garnacha, Torre del Gall rosé is salmon pink in colour with blackcurrant aromas and flavours of bitter cherries. Named after the avant-garde winery designed by Catalan architect Oscar Tusquets – and replete with a roof-top lake to help keep the wine at a constant cool temperature.

FROM RESTAURANTS IN FRANCE AND ITALY ... JUST FOR YOU

Opimian’s Bonus Online Cellar is coming back with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Small, independent winemakers in France and Italy have been deeply affected by the pandemic. Many of their wines are produced exclusively for the local restaurant and bar trade, so sales have been severely limited.

Working with our French and Italian partners, Opimian will be offering brand new wines that would normally require travel to Europe to discover. Mark your calendars to get your hands on these exclusive wines—tasted and curated by Jane Masters MW and most never before available in Canada— all while supporting small, European wineries.

Offered online only for a limited time this fall. Santé!

BONUS ONLINE CELLAR CWEB20

OCT 5 - NOV 2