C292-QC

ALSACE, ARGENTINA & CHILE

ON EVERY PAGE

WINE OF LEGEND

Zapam Zucum Cabernet Sauvignon by Mauricio Lorca, Vino Orgánico Argentino, La Rioja, 2021

A BRAND NEW CABERNET SAUVIGNON FROM ARGENTINA

Mauricio Lorca is a trailblazer when it comes to making wines with fruity aromas and great complexity. In late 2018, he travelled to Vichigasta in La Rioja in search of the best terroir to make organic wines.

After a long search, Mauricio found a farm and was immediately taken by the climate, the soil and the fruit.

As he left the vineyards one day, the sun finally setting, he heard what sounded like bells, getting louder and louder. Hurrying to the exit, from afar, he heard the chilling scream of a woman.

Seeing his shock, his partner laughed it off and said "Be quiet! It's Zapam Zucum, she protects our fruits."

Zapam Zucum, in local legend, is a spirit in the form of a voluminous woman with black eyes and cascading dark hair who lives in the shadows and watches over the fruit on the vines. Mauricio Lorca decided to honour her through his organic Zapam Zucum organic wines.

Black cherries, blackberries, wet stone and just a hint of creosote combine to give lots of appeal to Zapam Zucum Cabernet Sauvignon. It is linear in structure with nice mid-palate fruit and a tight tannin structure.

EDITORIAL

Value by Any Standard

Michael Lutzmann and Greg Rinehart, Opimian Managing Directors

Value is subjective. Each of us judges value in our own way in every aspect of our lives.

When it comes to wine and Opimian, value not only includes the price/ quality ratio, but also exclusive access to world class wines, expert curation of the wines offered, detailed information on every bottle, and a relationship with the winemaker that you can't get elsewhere. In fact, value is what makes Opimian unique in Canada.

For this Cellar – Alsace, Argentina and Chile – these values are so prevalent that we didn't even need to create a centre spread for them. The top values are on every page. From the everyday drinkers crafted by Echeverria and Lorca to the collectibles from Viña La Rosa and Villard, the relatively lower cost of production has these wines in very high demand. This Cellar always sees the most cases ordered compared to any other in the season.

The incredible quality of Hunawihr wines from Alsace is even more accessible this year, with many of them offered in three packs. These perennial favourites are inside beginning on page 8 and include an article by Louise Wilson MW that shines a light on this small but mighty wine region.

We continue to seek and find new and interesting spirits for you. In addition to the Terrier Gin that sold so well last year, you'll find some liquid gold in the Clever Hazelnut Liqueur Cream. Keep watching your Cellars as we expand our spirits offering in the coming months.

As we approach the mid-point of our Canadian winter, let these pictures, wines, articles and features transport you to warmer climes and our year-round enjoyment of the best wines in the world. Discover thirty-five new wines, more mixed cases than ever, super premium choices in smaller pack sizes and wood cases. There's never been a better time to be a Member of Canada's Wine Club.

Michael & Greg

PROJECT

MANAGER, MARKETING

KIM TIEN HUYNH

Kim Tien is a foodie and loves to cook. Her wine journey started with Gewurztraminer wines and reds from the New World. Even though she regularly enjoys whites, rosés or sparkling, she has developed a taste for Pinot Noir and lighter reds, especially enjoying sharing wine on Fridays with her neighbours. She treasures big bold red wines to pair with food.

GEWURZTRAMINER RÉSERVE, AOC ALSACE, 2020, LOT 3103, P9

FINCA FERRER MALBEC, ESTATE GROWN, GUALTALLARY, 2018, LOT 3150, WEB EXCLUSIVE

OPIMIAN SUGGESTS

OUR PICKS FOR THIS CELLAR

CORNELLANA SCHIST/COLLUVIAL CARMENERE WOOD CASE, LOT 3175, P58

LAS VELETAS CUARTEL N° 5 CABERNET FRANC, VALLE DEL MAULE, 2018, LOT 3181, P51

RIESLING GRAND CRU SCHOENENBOURG, AOC ALSACE, 2020, LOT 3107, P11

CO- MANAGING DIRECTOR

MICHAEL LUTZMANN

Michael has level 3 training from WSET. Before discovering more about wine through training, he only drank heavy reds. While those are still favourites, his palate pleasers now include the full spectrum with dessert/ fortified wines edging toward the top of his list.

The Relevance of Wine Competitions

Jane Masters MW is Opimian’s Master of Wine

Have you ever been to an Oscar winning film to find it wasn’t your cup of tea? There are thousands of film festivals, but just because something wins an award doesn’t mean it is to your taste. Similarly, there are a multitude of wine competitions.

Wine competitions vary in scale and prestige, from local regional panels to large international operations such as the International Wine Challenge, the International Wine & Spirit Competition and the Decanter World Wine Awards. Each competition is set up and organized differently, and wines may be entered for a variety of reasons: a genuine desire to benchmark wines against peers, more exposure and recognition, or the hope a medal will allow a price increase. Having been a senior judge over many years, I have witnessed the pros and cons of different tasting formats. There is no one right way, but two key factors determine good from bad. These are the calibre of the judges and the objectivity of the tasting.

It sounds like fun, but believe me, it is hard work tasting wines all day long – honestly! Even the most practiced judges become jaded after a day’s tasting. The more wines that are tasted, the more our senses of smell and taste are dampened. Red wine tannins accumulate in the mouth and alcohol has an impact, even with spitting. For the entered wines to be evaluated consistently and fairly (after all, producers pay to enter), tasters must be able to concentrate for hours. The taster’s breadth of tasting experience is also important. For example, a winemaker from Portugal may be a gifted taster but is not necessarily qualified to evaluate wines from Tuscany or Australia. Tasting objectively is important. Each taster must be able to independently assess each wine without being influenced by other judges. The most vocal judges are usually not the best tasters! Wines should always be tasted blind. This usually means the bottles are wrapped. The best competitions will try and eliminate any possibility of identification. For example, an unusual bottle shape would be decanted. Masters of Wine are often sought as competition judges. The rigour, tasting ability and stamina required to pass the exams puts them in good stead.

COUPS DE COEUR

THIS CELLAR'S HIGHEST SCORING WINES

EVERYDAY DRINKING

EXPRESIÓN RESERVE

PINOT NOIR, CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2020, LOT 3184, P53

PINOT GRIS LIEUDIT MUEHLFORST, AOC ALSACE, 2019, LOT 3109, P12

Awards provide wine drinkers some reassurance; however they are not a cast iron guarantee. Only a small fraction of the world’s wines are entered (there is a cost to enter and send samples), so there are many more wines out there equally as good or even better. Be wary of “Best in Class” wines in categories of obscure grape varieties, or little-known regions, as there may only have been one wine entered!

Some publications and wine critics publish wine scores out of 20 or 100 - each has their own method and style preferences. Scores alone don’t tell you what a wine tastes like and also have limitations. A tasting is a snapshot in time. Wines continue to change and can be tasted at any stage in their life cycle. For example, many critics publish scores from the annual En Primeur tasting in Bordeaux, which in turn influence wine price. However, the wines tasted are barrel samples, which will be aged for a further 12 to 18 months. The sample may not be representative of the final blend, or could have been taken from the best barrel. Either way, the final bottled wine will taste very different and may or may not live up to its score.

I use the principle of objective tasting as the basis of the Opimian wine selection process. For each Opimian Cellar Offering, I receive 150 to 180 wine samples. These are tasted away from

FUEGO BLANCO

VALLE DEL SILEX FLINTSTONE

MALBEC, VALLE DEL PEDERNAL, SAN JUAN, 2018, LOT 3118, P21

CELLARING POTENTIAL

wineries and other external influences over the course of a week. Wines are initially tasted in flights according to region, grape variety, style and price. Quality is determined according to intensity and complexity of aromas and flavours, harmony, structure, length and wine longevity. I am looking for wines that truly reflect the origin and style of wine and which offer good value for money. A simple, well-made wine can score highly. For an equal score, a more expensive wine has to deliver more.

After the initial tasting, some wines are compared in different ways. For example, different price levels of a particular grape will confirm the quality hierarchy – I should be able to taste a clear progression in concentration, depth and complexity as wine price increases. The same price levels across different regions will let me see which offers the best value. Some wines are tasted up to 5 times over the week to assess how they evolve with air. This gives me an idea of their cellaring potential and drinking window.

All this is done against a background of trade tastings and shows to stay abreast of what is happening around the world. It allows me to calibrate wine quality by region and vintage so that I can be fully confident in the quality of every wine I select for Opimian.

ALSACE

Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr

HUNAWIHR

Given its location in northeast France, Alsace is surprisingly one of the sunniest spots in the country. The Vosges Mountains create a rain shadow, so drought can be a problem under its clear blue skies. Alsace produces mainly white wines from aromatic grapes such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer not commonly found in other regions of France. Hunawihr is a typical Alsatian village classified among the “Most Beautiful Villages in France.” It has around 500 inhabitants and sits in the heart of the winegrowing area. The Cave de Hunawihr is a cooperative with 110 members covering 200 hectares of vineyards in and around surrounding villages including some of the premium Grand Cru sites.

3101 PINOT BLANC RÉSERVE, AOC ALSACE, 2020

Pinot Blanc

$ 26 $ 156

Pale colour with flavours of nectarine and apricot, a soft broad palate with some firm acidity and grip on the finish.

3102 RIESLING RÉSERVE, AOC ALSACE, 2020

Riesling

$ 27 $ 162

Flinty aromas with beeswax and wet stone precede a supple palate. More fruit comes out on the palate with good weight complemented by a firm mineral acidity and citrus pith finish.

3103 GEWURZTRAMINER RÉSERVE, AOC ALSACE, 2020

Gewurztraminer

$ 30 $ 180

A rich style with fresh aromas of orange blossom and citrus which follow through onto the palate. It is rich and medium-bodied with a long finish. Matches perfectly with the sweet and savoury dishes of Thai cuisine.

Roast pork tenderloin with honey-garlic sauce

Pad see-ew noodles

A medium wine round in structure, with sweetness offset by a tangy acidity. It has aromas of baked apples and spice. A classic Alsatian style of Pinot Gris at the opposite end of the spectrum to Italian Pinot Grigio, it is rich and warm.

It has fresh red fruit characters on the nose and palate. Pinot Noir grapes were harvested by hand on September 30th and October 8th. The juice was left to macerate on skins for 24 hours in the wine press, producing a vibrant and bright coloured wine.

3107 RIESLING GRAND CRU SCHOENENBOURG, AOC ALSACE, 2020

Riesling $ 41 $ 123

The best vineyard sites in Alsace are the Grands Crus. These are generally situated on the eastern foothills of the Vosges Mountains mid-slope between 200 to 400 metres with good sun exposure on a diverse range of soils. Immediately approachable, Schoenenbourg 2020 Riesling has intense aromas of limes, honey and nectarines. More lime and green apple flavours dominate the palate with a lingering crisp green apple finish. Delicious to drink now, it can also be cellared. Schoenenbourg vineyards are on a steep slope between 260 and 380 metres to the south of Hunawihr, close to Riquewihr village.

DISCOVER MORE WINES FROM ALSACE ONLINE, LOTS 3116-3117.

3106 RIESLING LIEU-DIT SILBERBERG, AOC ALSACE, 2019

Riesling $ 35 $ 105

The Vosges Mountains and geological activity over millions of years have led to Alsace having a myriad of soils, expositions and terroirs. Silberberg, meaning “silver hill” in Alsatian, sits above the village of Rorschwihr. Riesling is cultivated on deep siliceous calcareous Muschelkalk soils. The 2021 has mineral, wet earth aromas with nectarine and peaches. Supple with sour mandarin and nectarine flavours, it is powerful and weighty on the palate with a firm acidity.

Choucroute garnie

3109

GRIS LIEU-DIT MUEHLFORST, AOC ALSACE, 2019

Pinot Gris

$ 37 $ 111

A standout wine in the lineup, it is fragrant with floral elderflower, fresh apples and notes of aromatic pears which continue on the palate. It is smooth with some sweetness and more flavours of pear tart, quince, lime and grapefruit. Both complex and elegant with a perfect acidity that gives a lift on the end.

3108

6°C

Quince, lime, grapefruit, [15.00] 14%

Panko-breaded chicken “lollipops” with lemon-butter pan jus

A high scoring wine with lime cordial, hazelnut and touches of pineapple aroma. It is round and smooth with a harmonious acidity and flavours of stone fruits and nuts. It has good depth and persistent flavours with a fresh tangy acidity on the finish. Muehlforst lieu dit (a terroir not classified as Grand Cru but with an exceptional micro-climate) is located close to Grand Cru Rosacker on a hill between Ribeauvillé and Hunawihr with an exceptional southern exposure. Here, vines sit on the gentle slope on deep marly limestone soils.

2022-2024, M8 D9

Lime, pineapple, hazelnut 6°C

Stone fruits, [7.00] 13%

Barbecued pork chops with lime and lemongrass

MUEHLFORST, AOC ALSACE, 2017

Gewurztraminer

$ 38 $ 114

Characterized on the nose by orange blossom, jasmine and bergamot. The sweetness on the palate is offset by a vivacious acidity and some bitterness on the finish giving great balance. It is mediumbodied with mandarin and lemon flavours developing into ripe tropical fruit and nectarine flavours.

Mandarin, tropical fruits, [14.00]

Quiche Lorraine

RIESLING VENDANGES TARDIVES, AOC ALSACE, 2018

Riesling

Baked apples, spices, honey, resin, earth and lime jelly are all in abundance. It is sweet yet relatively light-bodied with lemon and pineapple flavours becoming more waxy with candyfloss and bitter fruits on the finish.

GEWURZTRAMINER VENDANGES TARDIVES, AOC ALSACE, 2018

Gewurztraminer

With intense orange blossom aromas, it has succulent fruits on the palate. Richly sweet exotic and candied fruits combine with a long bitter marmalade finish.

To produce sweet Vendanges Tardives wines, ripe grapes are left on the vines for several weeks after the main harvest has finished to “overripen.” The grapes become more concentrated in sugar and can develop noble rot giving rich, syrupy juice when pressed. 2018 was a good year for producing Vendanges Tardives with rainfall in the early half of the year providing water reserves for the hot summer months that followed. October saw perfect conditions with warm days and cool nights allowing grapes to reach “surmaturation.”

ONE BOTTLE EACH RIESLING, PINOT GRIS & GEWURZTRAMINER

PINOT GRIS VENDANGES TARDIVES, AOC ALSACE, 2018

The aroma has a tarte tatin character with caramel, toffee, baked apple and spices. It is rich and smooth on the palate with a very sweet impression cut by the acidity. It is rounder and fuller than the Riesling with a barley sugar finish.

DID YOU KNOW?

Lieux-dits | A Sense of Place

By Louise Wilson MW

One of wine’s most intriguing qualities is its ability to reflect the region in which it was made.

It is thrilling to determine a wine’s provenance without seeing the label, strictly through evidence in the glass. We know this concept as terroir: the inputs of land, climate and maker that give a wine its sense of place. The more defined an area, the more the nuances of the location can shine through in the wine.

In the world’s most revered locations, long histories of vinification have allowed winegrowers to identify parcels of land that produce wines that are distinguished from those of the surrounding regions. Within the Alsace AOC, these delimited areas are referred to as Communales (villages) and Lieux-dits (single vineyards). The Alsace Grands Crus AOC are positioned at the pinnacle of the quality hierarchy. Within these designations, increasingly heightened production standards magnify the grape’s ability to express the unique aspects of the location.

Two outstanding Lieux-dits are those of Muehlforst, located in Hunawihr, and Silberberg, found in Rorschwihr. Due to extended daylight exposures, the south-facing slope of Muehlforst has the warmest micro-climate in Hunawihr. Fortunately, water retained in the region’s deep marl and limestone soil protects the vines from summer drought. As a

LOT 3107, P11

result, the wines of this Lieu-dit are known for their lively fruit intensity. Ten kilometres away, on the mineral rich soils of Silberberg, statuesque wines with mouth-watering acidity are produced. These refreshing examples are a chef’s dream for food matching, each sip cleansing the palate and amplifying the flavour of the dish. North of Riquewihr, is the Grand Cru Schoenenbourg, where vines cling to steep slopes at altitudes up to 380 meters. Here the ancient soils deliver concentrated wines with the capacity to age. Across these locations, the noble variety, Riesling is a particularly well-suited vector, echoing the subtleties of the land.

The wines of Alsace hold a special place in my passport of tasting experiences. The bottle that initially sparked my enthusiasm for wine was a curvy Alsatian Gewurztraminer, keenly selected by my more knowledgeable dinner companion. The wine’s lychee and stone fruit perfume instantly transported me to the sunny foothills of the Vosges Mountains. That sip illustrated the ability of a well-crafted wine to take us to the place it was made, and in doing so piqued an interest in me that would evolve into a lifelong passion.

CALIXTE 5 CRÉMANT D'ALSACE BRUT, AOC CRÉMANT D'ALSACE

CALIXTE 5 CRÉMANT D'ALSACE BRUT ROSÉ, AOC CRÉMANT D'ALSACE

A crisp bubbly with aromas of slate, acacia, blossom and dried hops which continue onto the palate. It is well balanced with a fine texture and some bitter white fruits on the finish. Produced from 100% Pinot Blanc.

Produced from 100% Pinot Noir, it is a pale salmon orange colour. Aromas of dried flowers and redcurrants lead to a dry crisp palate. It has a fine mousse with acidity giving persistence.

Beer-battered fried halibut with tartar sauce

Crémant Ice is a festive sparkling wine to be enjoyed on ice. Produced according to the Traditional Method with second fermentation in bottle, it was matured for a minimum of a year.

CRÉMANT ICE BLANC DEMI-SEC, AOC CRÉMANT D'ALSACE

A demi sec (sweet) bubbly which can be served with ice. It is foamy with some apple aromas and sweet pear flavours balanced by its lemon citrus acidity.

THREE BOTTLES EACH BLANC & ROSÉ

CRÉMANT ICE ROSÉ DEMI-SEC, AOC CRÉMANT D'ALSACE

Fresh aromas of talc, sherbet and herbs continue onto the palate.

Pale in colour with aromas of apples and melons, this has some nice spicy flavours. On the palate it is supple and round with stone fruits and a sour lemon finish. An unusual wine in that Chasselas is scarcely planted in Alsace – but is commonly found in Swiss vineyards.

Asparagus flan

Pale in colour, it underwent a shorter time on skins than the Pinot Noir rosé, and is brimming with fresh fermentation aromas of pear drops and bonbon anglais. It was fermented at low temperature using a number of different yeasts.

CELLAR UP!

WINES TO SHAPE YOUR CELLAR

Quantity or Quality? When it comes to your wine cellar, choose both.

Wine can play a part in so many aspects of our lives. For some, it may be only for celebration. For many others, we enjoy wine for everyday meals, for gifting, for sipping on its own, as well as those special occasions that we all cherish.

At Opimian, we have the quality part covered every time. Our expert curation of the offering literally guarantees the quality of each wine, regardless of price. As for wines to stock up on, there is no better time to do so than during this Cellar.

Across all of the wine styles featured in C292, there are choices that make multi-case orders both affordable and approachable. Don't miss this opportunity to fill the racks that you have and perhaps even add to your storage capacity. Then you'll be prepared for the wonderful kaleidoscope of wine occasions in your future.

SPARKLING

Pairs with anything, celebrations, romance

CALIXTE 5 CRÉMANT D'ALSACE BRUT, AOC

CRÉMANT D'ALSACE, LOT 3112, P15

For Members looking for a sparkling aperitif, this is light and crisp with acacia and white fruits. Alsace produces sparkling wines using the same techniques as nearby Champagne.

NATURAL WINE

Pairs naturally with earthy, vegetal favours like mushrooms and organic vegetables

JCV CHARLIE VILLARD SEMILLON, CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2021, LOT 3189, P55

Semillon fermented by native yeast has bay leaf and green fruit characters with a tangy earthy flavour. Bottled unfined, unfiltered and without additives, each bottle is a living wine and may vary.

MEDIUM RED

Versatile; many meats without heavy sauces, casseroles

FINCA FERRER ACORDEÓN MALBEC, ESTATE GROWN, GUALTALLARY, 2021, LOT 3145, P31

Supple and layered in texture, it is brimming with fruits and spices. Ideal in the cellar as a complement to many dishes.

MEDIUM FULL-BODIED RED

Won't overpower lighter meat dishes but can take on heavier sauces and grilled beef and game

HACIENDA DE MOLINA GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CARMENÈRE, CURICÓ VALLEY, 2020, LOT 3157, P39

A perfect barbecue wine, full of tannin and smoky flavours.

...AND FOR YOUR BAR

FIND MORE CELLAR UP! SUGGESTIONS ONLINE.

London Dry Gin

TAPAUS TERRIER LONDON

DRY GIN, WILD, MENDOZA, LOT 3128, P62

Cocktails are back! Stock the essentials and learn some classic recipes.

Felipe Stahlschmidt | High Altitude

Vivacious Wines

Fuego Blanco

DON GENARO CABERNET SAUVIGNON, PERDRIEL, LUJAN DE CUYO, 2020, LOT 3121, P22

Fuego Blanco started in 2012 when José Millán went to Pedernal to visit a vineyard and immediately fell in love with the amazing landscape. In the following interview, Fuego Blanco's winemaker, Felipe Stahlschmidt answers Opimian's questions.

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT WINEMAKING IN ARGENTINA? TELL US A BIT ABOUT THE TERROIR YOU ARE WORKING WITH.

We produce wines from really new regions with young vineyards, so every year is a surprise, and despite harsh climate conditions, year after year we are getting more balance and closer to the true identity of Argentinean wines. Argentina, mostly Mendoza, San Juan, Catamarca and Salta, are desertic with extreme conditions. We are in a process where vines are adapting to the Argentinian climate and soil, so we should expect the wines will keep improving. Our only limitation is water. We need to be more efficient in each process to take care of this limited resource.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE VARIETALS TO WORK WITH AND WHY?

The easy answer is Malbec, and it makes sense because it’s the varietal that is the best suited to Argentinian terroirs. It delivers a wide range of qualities and characteristics like aromas, flavours, colour, concentration and tannins that allows you to be an artist and paint all the different combinations. It’s easy to work with Malbec in Argentina. We also have surprises, like Cabernet Franc. We only have a few Cab Franc vineyards planted in Argentina, but it is delivering some amazing wines. With every new vintage, it’s a great adventure!

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A WINEMAKER?

The association between wine and pleasure! The amazing thing about being a winemaker is that we make something that is only there to be enjoyed and to delight. Wine is a word that is often associated with good times: when we open bottles of our favourite wines to celebrate, as winemakers, we are part of this experience. On another note, to be surrounded by nature and great landscapes is certainly a perk of the job.

WHAT IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS ABOUT WINEMAKING YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT?

Climate conditions. We can work very hard to make the best wines and harvest the best grapes, but hail and frost can take it all away in a few hours. It’s the only thing we cannot avoid. Once the grapes are harvested, our work is just to express what Mother Nature gave us. You can make bad wine with great grapes, but you can’t make good wine with bad grapes! Our mission is simple: to stay true to our terroir.

TELL US ABOUT THE DON GENARO AND ELODIA WINES.

Don Genaro was a cousin of José Millán who took care of one of the estates and always rode his bicycle to see the vineyards. José created Don Genaro wines in his memory. The spirit of these wines is “tradition”, so the idea was to create a fruit-

forward wine with typicity with each varietal. With Don Genaro wines, we try to deliver Argentinean traditions through every glass.

Elodia wines is a project that started in 2016 with the idea to harvest only the best Malbec throughout the Millán properties and to deliver a low-intervention terroir wine. Elodia wines are all made in the same manner and are a great way to enjoy different regions of Argentina in every sip!

READ MORE Q&A FROM FELIPE ON OUR BLOG ONLINE.

ARGENTINA

MILLÁN FAMILY

Fuego Blanco

PEDERNAL VALLEY

Argentina’s vineyards are generally on the western side of the country close to the border with Chile. The Andes Mountain range, which divides the two countries, is a backdrop to most Argentinian vineyards and has a massive influence on the climate creating a rain shadow and desert conditions. At the same time, the Andes provide melted snow water for irrigation. Argentinian vineyards are planted in the eastern foothills and are characterized by their high altitude with large temperature shifts between day and night. Cloudless blue skies and altitude means grapes are more exposed to the sun’s UV rays which in turn has a favourable effect on the ripening of grapes for tannins in particular, and other phenolic compounds so important in quality red wines. Argentinian Malbec has become recognized the world over.

José Jesús Millán Junior purchased, restored, and upgraded a traditional Mendoza winery abandoned for years. The majestic building is now recognized for its cultural heritage in the city of Mendoza. JJ’s most recent winemaking endeavour is in Pedernal Valley in San Juan Province, 150 kilometres north of Mendoza city. The altitude of the valley ranges from 1,250 to 1,500 metres. It is a new region - Fuego Blanco is one of just four or five producers in the Pedernal Valley – and the quality of its wines are excellent. The valley is isolated and self-contained and was previously used as land for grazing livestock. It has complex alluvial soils with high quantities of silex, limestone and gravel with very little organic material.

FUEGO BLANCO VALLE DEL SILEX MALBEC-SYRAH, VALLE DEL PEDERNAL, SAN JUAN, 2019

Malbec, Syrah $ 44 $ 264

A flavoursome wine with aromas of coffee liqueur and tarragon. Initially smooth on the palate, it is dense evolving to a grainy texture. A blend of 60% Malbec with 40% Syrah, it is mediumbodied and round with black cherry and plum flavours. Whole bunches of Malbec grapes were fermented in tank undergoing carbonic maceration. Syrah was vinified in a more traditional way. For eight months, the two varieties were blended and matured in large, used French oak casks.

3120

FUEGO BLANCO VALLE DEL SILEX FLINTSTONE SILEX RED, VALLE DEL PEDERNAL, SAN JUAN, 2018

Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah $ 51 $ 306

A voluptuous full-bodied wine which will benefit from some cellaring. Aromas of herbs smoke and black fruits, lead to a layered silky palate with toasty fruits and some grip on the finish. It is a blend of 60% Malbec with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah. Each varietal component was vinified separately using indigenous yeast. The components were then blended and aged in oak 10-12 months.

FUEGO BLANCO VALLE DEL SILEX FLINTSTONE MALBEC, VALLE DEL PEDERNAL, SAN JUAN, 2018

Malbec

$ 51 $ 306

A knock-out wine and an immediate Coup de Cœur. This is a full-bodied Malbec with aromas of black olive, dark fruits, vanilla, toast, plums and herbs. A grassy herbal character on the palate is complemented by plummy fruits. Pedernal is the word for “flint” in Spanish, and the valley nestled in the foothills of the Andes, glacial in origin, is littered with flat calcareous stones and rocks. The climate is dry and sunny with high thermal diurnal shifts and scarce rainfall. Malbec was fermented and matured in a combination of egg-shaped concrete tanks and 500-litre French oak barrels.

DISCOVER MORE FUEGO BLANCO WINES ONLINE, LOTS 3130-3131.

3121

DON GENARO CABERNET SAUVIGNON, PERDRIEL, LUJAN DE CUYO, 2020

Cabernet Sauvignon

Floral notes of peony and hay precede a firm chewy palate. Black fruits emerge with some air and the wine has some mid-palate weight leading to a bitter cherry finish. Grapes were grown at Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo to the south of Mendoza city.

Brussels sprouts

Restrained aromas of coal and black fruits unfurl on the palate to reveal black cherry and blackcurrant. Supple initially, it is robust with good depth and a tight, bitter fruit finish. Malbec from two estates in the Uco Valley: El Manzano in San Carlos planted at 1,250 metres and Finca Mantrax estate, to the west, at 1,350 metres. Grapes were picked in the early hours and fermented in traditional concrete tanks at 22°C-24°C for 20 days. Malolactic fermentation and maturation were carried out in used French oak barrels.

Bonarda

Subtle aromas of plum and violets lead to a light- to medium-bodied wine with supple tannins. Black cherry and raspberry flavours are simple but intense, complemented by the wine's silky texture, and finished with a firm acidity. Bonarda is Argentina’s second black grape. A late-ripening variety, it is planted at Llavalle at a lower altitude of 600 metres and further away from the cooling influence of the Andes.

eggplant with balsamic glaze

Named after JJ's mother Elodia. These are both single vineyard Malbec wines, made in much the same way and with no use of oak to reveal the flavours of the different terroirs in Uco Valley, Mendoza and Pedernal in San Juan province.

ELODIA SINGLE VINEYARD LOS CHACAYES ESTATE MALBEC, VALLE DE UCO, 2018

ELODIA SINGLE VINEYARD PEDERNAL ESTATE MALBEC, VALLE DEL PEDERNAL, SAN JUAN, 2018

Initially closed with some aromas of slate, earth with a hint of plum and mellow aromas emerge with aeration: I suggest decanting before drinking. Firm rustic tannins become smoother and rounder with a bitter fruit finish. Finca Mantrax at Los Chacayes is in Tunuyán, the middle part of Uco Valley, at 1,250 metres. 40 hectares of Malbec were planted 15 years ago with grapes for this wine from a specific three-hectare parcel, Block #14 Chibaudel. Soils are alluvial in origin with the presence of large rolled pebbles and calcareous material amongst sand and silt. Grapes were picked the second week of April and fermented in concrete eggs after a 3–4-day cold soak.

A refined wine with chocolate, plums and floral violet aromas. It is supple with good mid-palate fruit and a layered texture. It is medium to full-bodied, harmonious with a bitter cherry finish. The Millán family have a total of 100 hectares of vines planted in Pedernal Valley with 50 hectares of Malbec. This wine was produced from two small parcels less than 1.5 hectares each – 23A & 23B – two of the highest plots on the estate at 1,500 metres. The colluvial soils contain flat angular stones with flint and silex in a complex matrix with sand and silt.

THREE BOTTLES EACH LOS CHACAYES MALBEC & PEDERNAL MALBEC

ARGENTINA

Bodega y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca

MENDOZA

The Province of Mendoza is the heart of Argentinian wine production with traditional vineyards and wineries on the southern edge of the city of Mendoza. One hundred kilometres further south, the Uco Valley is an exciting and dynamic region which has exploded in the last two decades. The Uco Valley covers three departments – Tupungato in the north, Tunuyan in the middle and San Carlos in the south. Mauricio Lorca has long believed in the potential of the Uco Valley. He has three vineyards in Tunuyan: Los Inicios and Los Barrancos in Vista Flores at 1,100 metres and Los Altepes Vineyard in Los Arboles at 1,250 metres. These are some of the highest-density vineyards with 5,500-6,750 vines/hectare. His philosophy is for each vine to produce just a small amount of grapes/wine with great concentration. His winery is in Perdriel south of Mendoza.

TEMÁTICO ARGENTINO JOVEN

MALBEC, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2021

2021 Joven Malbec is a savoury wine with spice, green leaf and pickled gherkin aromas. It is medium to full-bodied becoming grainy with some chewy tannins and a sour berry finish.

TEMÁTICO ARGENTINO JOVEN TORRONTÉS, LA RIOJA, 2021

A refreshingly light aromatic wine with aromas of lemon sherbet and boiled sweets. The palate is balanced by a sour lemon acidity and some bitterness on the finish giving length. Torrontés grapes are cultivated in the Famatina Valley in La Rioja Province on traditional pergola-trained vines.

Sea bass crudo with lime

TEMÁTICO ARGENTINO JOVEN

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2021

Sauvignon

A medium-bodied Cabernet with aromas of fruit confit and a touch of green pickle. It is supple with silky tannins and a layered texture. 30% of the wine was aged in oak.

$ 29 $ 174

Dried flowers, potpourri with some red fruits and a hint of leather precede a supple smooth palate. It is concentrated with good mid-palate weight and a firm acidity. Grapes were grown at 1,100 metres altitude in Los Barrancos vineyard at Vista Flores in Uco Valley.

Syrah

$ 29 $ 174

Tar, tobacco, smoke, dried floral notes and leather combine in the nose. It has a supple smooth round palate and is medium-bodied with powdery tannins and a marked acidity.

LOVE LORCA WINES? SUBSCRIBE TO THE MASTERS CASE TO RECEIVE A CURATED MIXED CASE!

3137 ZAPAM ZUCUM MALBEC BY MAURICIO LORCA, VINO ORGÁNICO ARGENTINO, LA RIOJA, 2021

Malbec

$ 27 $ 162

Brimming with forest fruits with ripe aromas of raspberry and mulberries. It is mediumbodied with an astringent acidity finishing on nice bitter fruit flavours which persist. Malbec was organically grown in Vichigasta, La Rioja Province, approximately 600 kilometres north of the city of Mendoza. This is one of Argentina’s driest wine regions.

Rosemary-marinated grilled brisket with charred tomatoes A CURATED 6-BOTTLE MIXED CASE SHOWCASING 3 WINES FROM EACH CELLAR.

LORCA POÉTICO MALBEC, FINCA LOS ALTEPES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2018

Malbec

$ 33 $ 198

A savoury wine with leather notes and a touch of dark chocolate. It is full-bodied with some grippy tannins giving a chewy, slightly austere finish. Grapes were grown on the Los Arboles estate at 1,250 metres. Vines are planted at high density of 5,500 vines/ha and are trellised high. After fermentation in concrete tanks, the wine was matured for 12 months in 90% French oak and 10% American oak barrels.

Leather, dark chocolate 18°C

Savoury black fruits 14%

LORCA POÉTICO CABERNET SAUVIGNON, FINCA LOS ALTEPES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2018

Cabernet Sauvignon

$ 33 $ 198

stew 2022-2026, M6 D8

Green bean, bell pepper 18°C

Herbaceous, blackcurrant, violet 14%

Pan-seared sweetbreads

Herbaceous green bean and bell pepper characters follow onto the palate. Blackcurrant and violet flavours emerge in the mouth and complement savoury herbal flavours. 2022-2026, M6 D8

MAURICIO'S PASSION FOR WINEMAKING IS EVIDENT IN EVERY BOTTLE.

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LORCA POÉTICO CABERNET FRANC, FINCA LOS ALTEPES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2018

Cabernet Franc

$ 33 $ 198

Mulberries and green bean aromas with a supple palate. More red and sweet fruits emerge alongside herbal thyme and leafy flavours followed by a grippy finish.

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MAURICIO LORCA GRAN PETIT VERDOT, FINCA LOS ALTEPES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2018, SPECIAL BOX

Petit Verdot

$ 82 $ 246

Floral notes of peony and lilies are complemented by toasty oak flavours. This is a full-bodied wine with plums and blackberry flavours mid palate followed by tart black fruits and a chewy finish. Grapes were picked by hand and fermented in concrete tanks followed by 18 months maturation in new French oak barrels.

Smoked Gouda

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MAURICIO LORCA GRAN BLEND, FINCA LOS ALTEPES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2018, SPECIAL BOX

Malbec, Syrah, Petit Verdot $ 82 $ 246

An immediate hit, this is a concentrated wine with great balance. It has a complex bouquet with aromas of cedar, green beans, black cherry, undergrowth and vanilla. It is smooth with a layered texture and flavours of blackberry, blackcurrant and vanilla toast. An elegant flavoursome wine which lingers on the palate finishing with bitter cherry, woody and savoury notes. It is a blend of 70% Malbec giving sweetness, 20% Syrah adding freshness and acidity and 10% Petit Verdot conveying structure. All grapes were grown in Los Arboles with each vine having produced just one kilogram of concentrated grapes, with a very strict selection.

Beef ragout with rosemary

ARGENTINA

Finca Ferrer

GUALTALLARY

Gualtallary is a high-altitude region within the Tupungato Region in northern Uco Valley. It sits between the Tupangato mountain – one of the highest in the Americas – and the active Tupungatito volcano (which last erupted in 1987) with vineyards planted up to 1,600 metres. Gualtallary has poor stony alluvial soils with layers of sand and limestone. Finca Ferrer is a family-owned winery established in 2003. It has 317 hectares of vineyards at 1,300 metres planted with Malbec, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo and Chardonnay. The 160C thermal amplitude, low night-time temperatures and solar intensity generate powerful finely textured wines. Finca Ferrer wines are all certified vegan.

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FINCA FERRER ACORDEÓN MALBEC, ESTATE GROWN, GUALTALLARY, 2021

A flavoursome wine, it is deep plum in colour with spicy aromas with coffee and blackberries. It is supple and smooth with nice mid-palate fruit and a layered texture. Ripe with a sour blackberry finish.

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FINCA FERRER ACORDEÓN CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ESTATE GROWN, TUPUNGATO, 2020

Cabernet Sauvignon

A mellow wine with ripe red cherries, toast and vanilla aromas. It is complex with lots of appeal. A supple attack is followed by a marked acidity cutting through the palate and a bitter olive finish.

Where’s the Beef? | Take Your Wine Out for Dinner

In these times of ethical eating, global warming concerns, and an explosion of vegetarianism, you might think that the era of grass-fed beef, served by a Gaucho at a classic Argentinian restaurant may be over. Think again! 7

The Argentine beef industry and the various restaurants around the globe that support it are alive and well. They may have had to morph from a flintstone-sized slab of meat to a more refined, varied plate, but with that mission accomplished, the restaurants are emerging from COVID intact.

We know what you’re thinking. This is Canada and we, too, have some of the best beef in the world. No question! Alberta beef in particular is famous worldwide. Again, grass-fed is king and results in a lower fat content that people are eating up – pun intended. Another stand out is Alberta raised Wagyu beef. This Japanese heritage breed made its way to our shores in the 90s and is hugely popular with professional and home chefs alike.

Now to the important part. Wine pairing. If you haven’t tried it already, make a point of having a wine from the same country/ region as the food you are eating. This matching of ‘terroir’, in some magical way, enhances both the wine and the food. The next time you order Argentinian beef, make sure to take along one of your heavy, South American reds.

Equally effective in matching your meal to your wine is weight. By this we mean the body of the wine compared to the profile of the food. Beef is no shrinking violet. It stands up well to a heavy red from anywhere. Try a beefy Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile next time you have Alberta beef on your plate. Not only will it complement your dish, it will be very easy on your pocketbook.

Let’s address the comment above referring to taking one of your own bottles to the restaurant with you. Bring your own bottle/booze/wine (BYOB, BYOW) is an option available at a great many great restaurants across the country, however, rarely and sadly used. Most restaurant liquor licenses allow them to allow you to bring your own wine, provided it is commercially made and purchased from a legitimate source (no home brew – sorry). Most will charge a fee for opening the bottle for you at the table. This is referred to as the ‘corkage fee’. Some, particularly in Quebec, do it for free. The standard markup for a wine by the restaurant is 200 – 300% of the original cost to them. The corkage helps to offset this legitimate profit. The highest we’ve ever seen is $45 per bottle, but the majority are in the $20 range. Think about it. One of your favourite Opimian wines in the $30 range would typically cost $60 – 90 at a restaurant. Take it there yourself, pay the $20 corkage and your total cost is only $50. Take one of your super-premium wines from Collector's Corner and the savings are even more substantial.

Here’s an example. One of Opimian’s Managing Directors, Michael Lutzmann, took a bottle of St. Emilion Grand Cru to Auberge du Pommier in Toronto. Corkage fee: $45. The bottle of Château Daugay was purchased for $67. A similar bottle on the wine list was $195. Even with the corkage fee, the total cost to Michael was half that of a younger wine on the list.

We are in the process of developing a list of BYOB Restaurants throughout the country. Your fellow Members have been very helpful in compiling it. Watch your email and the website for this comprehensive list. In the meantime, here is one in each province to get you started.

1. NOVA SCOTIA Eliot & Vine 2305 Clifton St., Halifax 902-332-1557

Eliotandvine.com Corkage fee: $25.00

2. QUÉBEC Bagatelle 4323 Ontario East, Montréal 514-254-3838 Bagatellebistro.com Corkage fee: Free

3. ONTARIO Auberge du Pommier 4150 Yonge St., Toronto (North York) 416-222-2220

Aubergedupommier.com Corkage fee: $45.00

4. SASKATCHEWAN Crave Kitchen & Wine Bar 1925 Victoria Ave., Regina 306-525-877

Cravekwb.com Corkage fee: $15.00

5. MANITOBA Preservation Hall Eatery & Wine Bar 655 Empress St., Winnipeg 204-783-2386

Preservationhall-eatery-winebar.com Corkage fee: $25.00

6. ALBERTA Charbar 618 Confluence Way SE (Simmons Building), Calgary 403-452-3115

Charbar.ca

Corkage fee: $25.00

7. BRITISH COLUMBIA L'Abbatoir 217 Carrall St., Vancouver 604-568-170

Labattoir.ca Corkage fee: $40.00

DISCOVER MORE FINCA FERRER WINES ONLINE, LOTS 3150-3151.

FINCA FERRER, COLECCIÓN 1310 MTS., BLOCK A6, MALBEC, GUALTALLARY, 2018

$ 61 $ 366 3147

FINCA FERRER ACORDEÓN ROSÉ, ESTATE GROWN, GUALTALLARY, 2021

Tempranillo, Malbec

31

186

A floral rosé with rosehip and pomegranate flavours. It is supple and well balanced produced from a blend of 70% Tempranillo and 30% Pinot Noir.

Fresh fruits, [3.90] 13.5%

Niçoise salad

Malbec from a single parcel on the estate – Block A6. Grassy aromas with fresh hay and red cherries lead to quite a light and tight structure. In the mouth it seems to develop more body with some firm bitter tannins and acidity enhancing black cherry flavours. Not yet at its peak, it will benefit from some cellaring. Matured for 16 months in a combination of new and one-year-old French oak barrels.

FINCA FERRER, COLECCIÓN 1310 MTS., BLOCK A1, PINOT NOIR, GUALTALLARY, 2020

An intense Pinot Noir, translucent in colour, it oozes red berry fruits, red apples and cherries on the nose and palate. It has a juicy acidity with fine tannin structure and good balance. It has a light touch of oak after aging for 8-10 months in 70% French and 30% American oak.

3149 FINCA FERRER COLECCIÓN 1310 MTS CASE

FINCA FERRER, COLECCIÓN 1310 MTS., BLOCK C2 CHARDONNAY, GUALTALLARY, 2019

Chardonnay

A restrained wine with aromas of fennel and aniseed with lemony acidity on the palate. It is relatively light and, despite fermentation in a combination of new French and American oak barrels, the oak is not obvious in tasting.

aniseed 6°C

fruits, lemon, [3.47] 14.5%

THREE BOTTLES EACH PINOT NOIR & CHARDONNAY

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Viña Echeverria

MOLINA

Chile, the long narrow country sandwiched between mountains, sea and desert has a long winemaking tradition and has seen new regions emerge in recent years. Terroirs are influenced by proximity to the cold Pacific Ocean air and altitude. Vineyards are planted in the valleys between and foothills of the lower Coastal and high Andes Mountain ranges. Chile produces quality wines having a climate conducive to consistently ripening Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon. More recently, Chile is associated with Carmenère, a variety originally from Bordeaux which had been “lost” but was rediscovered in the 1990s.

This traditional family-owned winery and estate in Molina is in the eastern part of Curicó Valley, one of Chile’s oldest wine regions located approximately 200 kilometres south of Santiago. The family farm has 65 hectares and grows grapes organically. Winemaker Roberto Echeverria Junior’s latest passion is to produce low-intervention natural wines. This year, the range has been expanded and sits alongside traditionally produced old favourites.

CASA NUEVA FAMILY WINES SELECTION CARMENÈRE, CENTRAL VALLEY, 2021

Carmenère $ 19 $ 228

Black fruits, incense and green leaf aromas lead to a firm structured palate. This is a full-bodied wine with savoury and green flavours and a firm tannic finish.

An intense vibrant wine in every sense. Intense cassis aromas combine with fresh apples and lead to a supple palate. It is medium-bodied and round with a refreshing acidity complemented by sour and bitter cherry flavours. A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, it was matured in new French oak barrels for eight months.

Vibrant in color with ripe plum and violet aromas. It is smooth with juicy sweet fruit flavours. It is easy drinking with good weight and concentration.

Savoury black olive aromas mingle with plums and dark fruits. It is medium-bodied with a fresh lifted acidity and some green bean flavours. Produced from a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Carmenère.

DE MOLINA

Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère

$ 26 $ 156

Mineral, graphite and soot aromas dominate the bouquet. It is medium-bodied with plummy fruits emerging in the mouth to complement smoky flavours with a lingering sour blackberry finish. After fermentation with extended skin maceration, it was matured in French oak barrels for 10-12 months.

Gorgonzola with blackberry compote and fig mustard

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EL BARRIO CARIGNAN, MAULE VALLEY, NATURAL WINE FROM CHILE, 2021

Carignan $ 29 $ 174

A light-bodied red with intense flavours, it is brimming with berry fruits, raspberries and strawberries and blackcurrant cordial. A refreshing acidity leads to a sour cherry and cranberry finish.

Raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrant cordial

Cranberry & sour cherry

Asian spice-marinated flank steak with barbecue-charred vegetables

3158 BAKAN, LOW INTERVENTION GRENACHE TEMPRANILLO, MAULE VALLEY, 2020

Grenache, Tempranillo

$ 29 $ 174

Concentrated with succulent red fruits. Grenache and Tempranillo grapes from Maule were picked by hand and transported to Echeverria winery in Curicó, where they were de-stemmed and underwent cold maceration for four days. It was matured briefly in French oak barrels then bottled with no filtration or stabilization.

Ham hock cassoulet with cannellini beans and pancetta

THREE BOTTLES EACH CHARDONNAY & VIOGNIER

EL BARRIO CHARDONNAY, CURICÓ VALLEY, NATURAL WINE FROM CHILE, 2021

Chardonnay

A cloudy wine with the appearance and aroma of pressed apple juice and fresh pears. It is supple with a broad structure and some refreshing spritz. Grapes were picked by hand, de-stemmed, pressed and cooled. A slow fermentation in tank lasted 25 days. The wine was bottled with no stabilization, filtration or addition of sulfites.

Braised chicken with apples and sweet onions

EL BARRIO VIOGNIER, CURICÓ VALLEY, NATURAL WINE FROM CHILE, 2021

Viognier

Delicate aromas of fresh white pear follow onto the palate. It is light and crisp.

Tagine of chicken with apricots and almonds

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EL BARRIO CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CURICÓ VALLEY, NATURAL WINE FROM CHILE, 2021

Cabernet Sauvignon

$ 26 $ 156

Floral soapy aromas with rose petals evolve into blackcurrant with some air. This is a light-bodied, easy-drinking Cabernet Sauvignon with vibrant red and black fruit character and sour blackberry finish.

Grilled skirt steak with balsamic-cranberry

LA BALIZA COOL CLIMATE SYRAH, COLCHAGUA VALLEY, 2019

Syrah $ 32 $ 192

A relatively light but flavoursome wine. It has aromas of cooked red fruits and savoury spices with nutmeg, ginger and vanilla. The palate is smooth with fine tannins and nice mid-palate weight. Grapes come from the Ucuquer vineyard, an emerging coastal region in Rapel Valley, influenced by the ocean breeze from the Rapel River Basin. In summer, daytime temperatures never exceed 25ºC. Matured 15-18 months in French oak barrels with 25% new.

Viña La Rosa

CACHAPOAL VALLEY

Located in the Peumo district of the Cachapoal Valley, Viña La Rosa is owned by the Ossa family. Peumo, located 140 kilometres south of Santiago between the 33rd and 34th parallels, has become a distinguished region for the calibre of its Carmenère, amongst other varietals. Having virtually no rainfall during the growing season until May combined with its colluvial soils creates conditions for the late-ripening variety to fully mature. Viña La Rosa has vineyards in three sub-valleys of Cachapoal with diverse soils alluvial, colluvial and volcanic origin formed 85-120 million years ago.

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CORNELLANA CHARDONNAY BRUT SPARKLING WINE, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2021

Chardonnay $ 23 $ 138

A refreshing bubbly with stone fruits, nectarine and green apple flavours. It has a firm acidity and crisp finish.

3166

CORNELLANA MERLOT, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2021

Merlot $ 18 $ 216

Soft and light red with flavours of pomegranate, cranberry and other red fruits. It is easy drinking with a soft finish.

3167

Pomegranate, cranberry 18°C Red fruits

Garlicky red wine linguine with Parmesan

CORNELLANA SAUVIGNON BLANC, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2021

Sauvignon Blanc $ 18 $ 216

Always a popular and high-scoring wine, 2021 Cornellana has lots of Sauvignon character. Alluring aromas of lime gums, guava and passion fruit are followed on the palate by a crisp lemon and lime acidity. It is flavoursome and refreshing.

Ahi poke bowl

3168 CORNELLANA RESERVE CHARDONNAY, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2021

Chardonnay $ 22 $ 264

A wine with masses of appeal – it has banana and vanilla aromas complemented by stone fruits, nectarines and peaches on the palate. Ripe with a crisp acidity.

3169 CORNELLANA RESERVE ROSÉ, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2021

Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Pinot Grigio, Malbec, Pinot Noir $ 22 $ 264

Produced from an odd mix of five grape varieties, herbal aromas complement pink grapefruit and other citrus flavours. It is crisp with a redcurrant and lemon astringency.

3170 CORNELLANA RESERVE PINOT GRIGIO, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2021

Pinot Grigio

$ 22 $ 264

Spicy cooked and fresh apples with melon are complemented by a zesty lemon acidity. It was fermented in tank and kept on fine lees for four months.

Spaghetti alle vongole

Peumo is considered one of the best terroirs to grow the late-ripening Carmenère grape. The 2021 Reserve is bright in colour with ripe blackcurrant, blueberry and herbal aromas. It is smooth and concentrated with the same herbal and black fruit flavours on the palate. It was aged for six months with oak.

Spicy paneer tikka

Rosehip and red berry aromas continue onto the palate with more red fruits and herbal character leading to a savoury finish. It has a supple easy drinking style.

CORNELLANA "ROCA COLUVIAL" CARMENÈRE, PEUMO, 2019, LOT 3175, P58

Peumo | Heartland of Carmenère

by Philip Reedman MW

It is said that great wine is made in the vineyard.

For this great wine we’ll drive south from Chile’s capital city, Santiago, enjoying spectacular views of the Andes mountains on our left. After two hours we’ll arrive at Peumo. A sub-region within Cachapoal Valley DO, Peumo is the heartland of top-quality Carmenère in Chile, and therefore by definition, of the world.

Carmenère originated in Bordeaux, but en-route to Chile in the 19th century, confusion set in, and it became known as Merlot. Shortly afterwards, in the wake of Phylloxera, Bordeaux was replanted and Carmenère did not make the replanting list. Châteaux owners didn’t replant Carmenère because in so many vintages it just wouldn’t ripen properly in the cool, maritime climate of Bordeaux. And so Carmenère disappeared from the viticultural stage. Fast forward to 1994 when a French ampelographer (a scientist who studies and identifies grape varieties) ‘rediscovered’ Carmenère growing in Chile under its assumed identity of Merlot. In 1998, Chile officially recognized the variety and the rest is history. They’re even replanting Carmenère in Bordeaux!

As the Bordelais knew, Carmenère is a late ripening grape variety; it is often picked four weeks after other red varieties are safely fermenting away in the cellar. Making a great Carmenère wine requires a long growing season so that the grapes ripen fully without the threat of a cold and wet autumn. In this, Peumo excels. Peumo is close enough to the moderating influence of the Pacific Ocean for the vines to get off to an early start in spring, spared from the risk of devastating spring frosts. But Peumo is inland, and sufficiently sheltered to have the warm summers and mild autumns which allow Carmenère to thrive. Water-retentive silty-clay soil nourishes the vines even on the hottest days, allowing the winemaker to pick gloriously ripe, flavour-packed grapes.

So, while Carmenère may be Peumo, Peumo is more than Carmenère. Select the right vineyard site and Peumo, you'll discover that it makes wonderful Syrah, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc too. It’s all about selecting the right vineyard conditions: altitude, soil and slope, to get those pristine, bright flavours into the wines.

Viña La Rosa’s Peumo Carmenère is a rich, full-bodied, smooth red wine. It is filled with dark fruit flavours, spices and hints of exotic truffle. Excellent with game meats, grilled steak and matured cheeses, you can enjoy this now or keep it for up to three years. Peumo; we’re confident you’ll love it.

Philip Reedman MW lives in Adelaide, South Australia. Philip is an educator for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and is involved in education through the Institute of Masters of Wine. He works as a consultant to a number of wineries and vineyards in South Australia and internationally.

DISCOVER MORE VIÑA LA ROSA WINES ONLINE, LOTS 3176-3177.

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CORNELLANA WINEMAKERS SELECTION BARREL RESERVE, CARMENÈRE, PEUMO, 2020

Carmenère $ 32 $ 192

Graphite and smoke aromas precede a supple attack on the palate evolving to a marked firm acidity. The mid-palate is smooth and concentrated with fresh vibrant fruits, blackcurrants with a touch of green leaf and a sour cherry finish. It was aged in French oak for nine months.

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Sour

Roast turkey with plum-maple sauce

CORNELLANA BARREL RESERVE ORGANIC, CABERNET FRANC, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2020

Cabernet Franc $ 36 $ 216

Oaky characters dominate the bouquet with graphite pencil lead, cloves and roasted coffee. Fruit flavours emerge in the mouth with mulberries and cooked cherries. It is full-bodied, supple with good mid-palate weight leading to silky tannins on the finish and a more integrated oak character.

Grilled chorizo sausage and veggie kebabs

CHILE

Maule Valley is one of Chile’s historic wine regions stretching back centuries. It lies 290 kilometres south of Santiago and has some of Chile’s oldest vineyards. What started as a hobby for Raul Dell’Oro to regenerate old Pais and Carignan vineyards became a full-blown investment in planting new vineyards, building Las Veletas winery and developing a business. Piamonte vineyards lie in the foothills of the Coastal Range Mountains on the southwestern side of Maule at Alquihue in San Javier. Vines are planted at 175-250 metres of altitude on granitic soils containing red clays and slate. The climate is cooler with more rainfall than other regions.

3178 LAS VELETAS CABERNET

SAUVIGNON - CABERNET FRANC, VALLE DEL MAULE, 2019

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

$ 33 $ 198 3179

A mellow, complex wine with spicy notes and dark fruits, it is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc. Showing some nice development with nutmeg, allspice, vanilla and cola aromas leading to a fine silky texture with more bitter fruits and spicy flavours. It is warm and fresh with a nice marked acidity. Matured for 12-14 months in French oak barrels.

2022-2026, M7 D8

All spices, nutmeg, cola, balsamic 18°C

Bitter dark fruits, spices

Roasted pork shoulder with cilantro and tomato pebre sauce

LAS VELETAS PETIT VERDOTCABERNET FRANC, VALLE DEL MAULE, 2020

Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc

$ 35

$ 210

Cola, cinnamon spices and dark fruits come together. It is supple and medium-bodied with bitter fruits, cherries and tantalizing lingering notes of black licorice. It is a blend of 55% Cabernet Franc and 45% Petit Verdot planted between 1995-2000.

$ 33 $ 198

País, known as the Mission grape in California, was introduced to Maule by European settlers centuries ago. Previously associated with high-volume wine production, País grapes from old vines are changing perceptions. This País vineyard, planted in 1915, was rejuvenated by Raul. The 2020 is translucent garnet colour with ripe blackcurrant aromas. It is supple and easy drinking with black fruit flavours followed by savoury meaty notes.

Musky, earthy aromas combine with floral and red cherry notes. Smooth initially, it develops a grainy texture on the palate with a grippy finish with lingering flavours of dried fruits and bitter licorice adding length. Perfect for drinking now and over the coming few years.

An interesting bouquet with ripe and cooked red cherries, vanilla, tar, ink and digestive biscuit. It is smooth with rich, ripe fruit flavours combined with mellow cherry menthol and spices. Produced from a selection of the best Carmenère on the estate, it was matured in French oak barrels for 16-18 months.

CHILE

Villard Fine Wines

CASABLANCA VALLEY

Situated in the cool Casablanca Valley, Villard was established in 1989 by Thierry Villard, one of the first boutique wineries in the region. The 30-kilometre long, east-west running Casablanca Valley starts just 25 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean, and the influence of the Humboldt Current flowing up the west coast of Chile from the Antarctic makes it much colder than equivalent latitudes in California. Cold morning air keeps regional temperatures low and often produces foggy conditions. Today, Thierry’s son Jean Charles is responsible for winemaking. JC makes a range of cool-climate varietal wines which includes natural and orange wines.

A high-scoring wine with cherry peony, mulberry and minty aromas. It is soft and silky smooth with layers of flavour and a round structure. Mulberry flavours give way to savoury character and lingering bitter cherry finish. It was matured in a combination of small French oak barrels, large foudres and tanks.

Aromas of apple strudel, spices, grapes and lemon curd give lots of appeal. This is a supple wine with a round palate with sweet ripe white fruits, fresh apples and pears. It has a crisp acidity with some citrus pith and a touch of cinnamon on the finish.

Pears, apple, cinnamon 13.5%

Grilled prawns with fruit salsa and cilantro

3186 LE PINOT NOIR GRAND VIN, CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2020

Pinot Noir

$ 48 $ 288

A classic Pinot style, it has musky earthy aromas with a tight linear structure and will benefit from some keeping. The palate is balanced but not very expressive with redcurrant flavours and a savoury finish.

3185 LE CHARDONNAY GRAND VIN, CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2020

Chardonnay

$ 41 $ 246

A rich and ripe Burgundianstyle Chardonnay. It is supple with more ripe cooked fruits, toast and fresh lemon flavours harmoniously combined in a wine with nice weight and balance. Chardonnay was grown on deep sandy soils and harvested by hand with whole clusters directly pressed. The pressed juice was left to settle then fermented in French oak barrels using a combination of old and new. It was matured a further 14 months.

3187 TANAGRA SYRAH, CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2020, WOOD CASE

Syrah

$ 104 $ 312

Dark fruits are masked behind toasty oak characters. The palate is medium to fullbodied with fresh dark fruits and vanilla flavours followed by some chewy tannins giving a grainy texture. Syrah grapes from bush vines were picked and crushed by hand into barrel. After a cold maceration, the wine was fermented and left on skins for an extended 30 days before maturation in American and French oak barrels. It spent a total of 22 months in barrel with 80% new and 20% one year old.

Pecorino and leek flatbread

3188

JCV CHARLIE VILLARD RAMATO PINOT GRIGIO, CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2020

Pinot Grigio $ 39 $ 234

Cloudy and orange-pink in colour, it has earthy farmyard fruits combined with pomegranate and redcurrants. It is smooth and supple. Pinot Grigio grapes were fermented on skins for several months. Picked on March 31, it was fermented in tank by native yeast with regular pumping over.

3189 JCV CHARLIE VILLARD SEMILLON, CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2021

Sémillon $ 39 $ 234

Cloudy but bright yellow in colour, JCV Nature has herbal leafy aromas with bay leaves, curry and a hint of compost. On the palate, greengage and gooseberry flavours combine with a tangy sour lime finish. Grapes were picked on March 29 by hand, and a spontaneous fermentation was carried out in tank through to dryness with 12% alcohol. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Steamed mussels in tomato-garlic broth

REVEAL THE REMARKABLE

A CONNOISSEUR’S DREAM. Exclusive to this program, Founders Choice wines are not available elsewhere in the Cellar Offering and won’t be for another five years. Dedicated to the spirit of our Founders, this program presents only the finest wines. From our producers’ cellars to yours, this is an opportunity to experience another level of quality. This case of one premium wine is curated with the potential to age.

Included in your six bottle case, you will find tasting notes and a special message from the producer to treasure. The Founders Choice producer for this Cellar is Chile's Villard Fine Wines.

Charlie Villard | A Family Affair

Villard Fine Wines

Villard Fine Wines was established in 1989 by Thierry Villard as Chile’s first family boutique winery. Over the last three decades, it has consistently been recognized as one of the best wineries of the Casablanca Valley.

Over the last decade, using the Valley’s exceptional terroir and unique characteristics, the new generation has introduced innovating winemaking techniques to create new super premium wines of structure and elegance. Villard Fine Wines have been awarded countless medals and accolades, and the winery was named one of the top 100 wineries in the world in 2021 by World’s Best Vineyards.

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT WINEMAKING IN CHILE?

My mother is from Chile and my parents decided to come back to Chile and start a winery 32 years ago. The special thing about winemaking here is the consistency of the climate. There is also so much to create and reinvent!

HOW MANY PEOPLE WORK AT VILLARD FINE WINES? WHICH WINEMAKING TECHNIQUES DO YOU USE?

Ten people work at the winery full time, and seasonal workers complete the team during the harvest. The winemaking techniques we use are focused on respecting the grapes and trying to intervene as little as possible. Fermenting temperatures are very important to have very smooth and well controlled fermentations to be able to achieve the best expression of the terroir.

HOW DID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AFFECT CHILEAN WINEMAKING IN GENERAL, AND YOUR BUSINESS IN PARTICULAR?

At the beginning of the pandemic, we were so afraid to get infected that we picked the 2020 harvest by ourselves, not allowing anyone to enter the winery. Our life was 100% inside the winery. The country was closed to tourism for more than 18 months, which really affected our business. The worst part for us was that restaurants were closed worldwide, which had a dramatic effect on our sales, as 70% of our business is done with the hospitality industry.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR JVC AND GRAND VIN WINES – WHAT WAS THE OUTLOOK IN CREATING EACH, AND HOW ARE THEY BEST ENJOYED?

The Grand Vin wines were created many years ago by Thierry. They are elegant wines made for serious gastronomy. The JCV wines are wines that I have created recently adapted to the current market, for extreme wine lovers or “wine freaks.” These wines are great for wine bars, and are well liked by younger people, whereas the Grand Vin series are food wines that go superbly with fine dining.

READ MORE OF CHARLIE'S Q&A ON OUR BLOG ONLINE.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU START SURFING, AND HOW OFTEN ARE YOU ABLE TO SURF?

I started surfing when I was around 16 years old, Chile is a great place for surfing with huge waves. I go almost every weekend and when a big swell arrives, winemaking has to wait until the following week.

CASE 3175

CORNELLANA SCHIST/ COLLUVIAL CARMENERE WOOD CASE $ 85 $ 340

Two Carmenère-based wines from 2019 vintage. Carmenère grapes were grown on two disctinctive soil types – schist soils of Cornellana and colluvial soils of La Rosa.

TWO BOTTLES EACH SCHIST & COLLUVIAL

2019

Grilled tiger shrimp with tomato-basil sauce NEW FROM VIÑA LA ROSA

Carmenère, Cabernet Franc

A savoury wine with pure green bean aromas, it is medium to full-bodied. The same green flavours are present on the palate which is supple initially developing grippy firm tannins. After some aeration, mellow blackcurrant and red fruits emerge. It will benefit from some time in bottle before reaching its optimum for drinking. Grapes were grown on slopes of ancient soils from the cretaceous period with high amounts of minerals. Classified geologically as volcanic sedimentary, the soils contain a high amount of fractured rocks. 2022-2028, M6 D7

The palate is rich and concentrated with ripe fruit and supple tannins. It is youthful with fresh blackcurrant flavours and should mature nicely. Predominantly Carmenère with 5% Cabernet Franc. Carmenère was grown in the Peumo area on the colluvial soils of the coastal mountain range. Soils are deep and fertile with a combination of sand, clay and silt almost in equal parts. Vine roots can go deep to obtain water and nutrients to ensure full maturity and fine tannins.

A textured and elegant style of Chardonnay, it has creamy and lime custard aromas with chamomile. Layers of white fruit flavours emerge and persist giving length and depth. Chardonnay grapes were handpicked March 29, 2019, and whole-bunch pressed. It was fermented and matured for 12 months in new 300-litre French oak barrels with 10% going through malolactic fermentation.

Arganat Chardonnay comes in a beautiful wood case. Each bottle will be signed by the winemaker.

3190 ARGANAT CHARDONNAY, CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2019

Chardonnay

RARE WINES TO ENHANCE YOUR CELLAR

Casa Tapaus | Source of Treasures

Founded in 2017 by the Millán family, Casa Tapaus is located in the area of Perdriel, Luján de Cuyo. It is the first distillery in Mendoza to open its doors to visitors, to delight them with its exquisite spirits and high-end liqueurs, all made with natural products, with wine as a source of inspiration and raw material.

Tapaus is a word of Huarpe origin that means "hidden treasure". As its name suggests, Casa Tapaus gives us the opportunity to find the hidden spirit in wine.

José Millán saw a gap in Argentina’s spirit market: most of the spirits in the country were imported. He saw this as an opportunity to make his own, and Casa Tapaus’ first spirit ever made was a London Dry Gin with some botanicals from Argentina. Now they have six different gins, grappa, brandy, liquors and soon, whisky.

Mariana De la Cruz is the Master Distiller at Casa Tapaus. The distillery is a separate business from the other Millán family wineries: (Argentinian regulations dictate that they should be completely separate). The only real link is orujo (pomace), must and wine that are delivered from the wineries to the distillery in order to make some of Casa Tapaus’ spirits.

GIN

Casa Tapaus produces a line of Terrier gins (London Dry, Citric, Spicy, Wild, and Pink) inspired by a breed of English dogs. According to Casa Tapaus, "The Terrier breed, like our gins, has a determined, energetic and restless character. Qualities that represent the spirit of our house and work team".

The botanicals used in the range of gins are from Argentina, although the juniper berries are imported from Europe. The intention is to create great spirits with Argentinian flavours. For instance, in the Tapaus Terrier Gin Pink Special Edition, Malbec must is used to add sweetness to the gin. They also use peppers, lemon peel, orange peel and grapefruit peel among other aromatics, which makes a real difference in terms of intensity and aromas.

For Opimians who wish to visit the Millán family distillery and wineries, they can’t miss the Abrasado Restaurant in Mendoza, which has a great bar. It even won the 2022 Great Wine Capital’s People Choice Award for Best Wine Tourism Restaurant.

CLEVER

Some things just happen by accident, and Clever Hazelnut Cream Liqueur was a great experiment! Three years ago the team decided to make some hazelnut liquor and to have some bottles only for special occasions and celebrations. José Millán tasted it and loved it! He took a few bottles for himself, and two months later Casa Tapaus was making 10,000 litres for their partners in Argentina.

HOW TO ENJOY CLEVER HAZELNUT CREAM LIQUEUR

In a wine glass, pour two scoops of ice cream (sweet cream flavour), 60 ml (2 oz) of Clever Hazelnut Cream Liqueur. Add two chocolate chip cookies, then drizzle some caramel cream over the glass. Yum!

Casa Tapaus is a boutique distillery at Perdriel in Luján de Cuyo, just south of Mendoza city. It was purchased by the Millán family in 2017 and produces a range of premium spirits and liqueurs. Tapaus means hidden treasure in the native Huarpes language from Mendoza.

RARE SPIRITS TO ENHANCE YOUR BAR

Intense hazelnut aromas with vanilla cream, praline and caramel are hugely appealing. It has a sweet creamy palate with just the right balance between rich sweetness and alcohol. This is liquid pudding! The same hazelnut, vanilla and creamy flavours persist in the mouth making it very moreish. Shake this bottle before opening. Once opened, the bottle should be consumed within six months.

FROM CASA TAPAUS

Aromas of fresh lemon zest, sherbet lemon and boiled sweets follow through onto the palate. It is supple with a sweet impression offset by a touch of bitterness and citrus pith on the finish. Seven botanicals were used: fresh lemon, tangerine, orange peel, juniper berries, coriander seeds, cardamom and clove.

A more savoury gin with herbal and woody notes with angelica, sandalwood, juniper and just a hint of citrus mandarin. Fresh pink grapefruit peel and dry goji berries complement the woody notes with a touch of fruit.

With black peppercorn and woody, earthy notes with nutmeg and juniper, the palate is very spicy with lots of crushed peppercorns. No less than three different kinds of pepper were used alongside nutmeg seed and fresh lemon peel.

Infused with hibiscus flowers, this gin has a delightful pink hue. It has appealing floral and fruity aromas with mandarin and goji berries. It was made using 12 botanicals with fresh pink grapefruit peel, juniper berries, three kinds of pepper, cinnamon sticks, lemon peel and dry cloves. It has some sweetness from the addition of Malbec juice after distillation to get the balance between sweet and sour/bitter.

Please visit Opimian.ca for your province's pricing on these wines.

Pale pink in colour, 2021 Casa Nueva rosé has delicious strawberries and cream aromas with a touch of fresh fennel. It is refreshing on the palate, supple and easy drinking with raspberry flavours, a touch of residual sweetness and a dry crisp finish.

3164

CASA NUEVA FAMILY WINES GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CURICÓ VALLEY, 2020

Cabernet Sauvignon

$ WEB $ WEB

A medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with good midpalate weight, it is round with spices and black fruit flavours and a bitter cherry finish.

3176 CORNELLANA RESERVE SHIRAZ, PEUMO, 2021

Shiraz

$ WEB $ WEB

A light-bodied Shiraz with aromas of red apple, red cherry and vanilla. On the palate, it is mellow with a bitter cherry twist.

3177

CORNELLANA WINEMAKERS SELECTION SPECIAL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC, PEUMO, 2021

Sauvignon Blanc

M8 D9

$ WEB $ WEB

An intriguing Sauvignon with more subtle yet complex aromas of fennel, aniseed, dried camomile, hops, white peach and floral notes. It is medium-bodied with midpalate weight and depth of flavour. 90% of the wine was fermented in stainless steel followed by six months in contact with fine lees and 10% in concrete egg-shaped tanks.

Bitter cherries 13.5%

Mellow fruits, bitter cherry finish, [2.00] 13%

3130

FUEGO BLANCO VALLE DEL SILEX CONTRAVIENTO MALBEC ROSÉ, VALLE DEL PEDERNAL, SAN JUAN, 2021

Malbec $ WEB $ WEB

Malbec grapes from two regions within San Juan Province – Pedernal Valley and Ullum Valley at 1,500 and 1,000 metres, respectively – were used to produce this brightly coloured rosé. A pretty serious style of rosé with a touch of residual sugar giving mid-palate weight with flavours of sherbet.

3131

FUEGO BLANCO VALLE DEL SILEX CONTRAVIENTO MALBEC, VALLE DEL PEDERNAL, SAN JUAN, 2019

Malbec $ WEB $ WEB

This is a savoury wine with aromas of hay and grass over a fruit background. It is medium-bodied with peppery flavours, supple rich mid palate and bitter cherry finish. The vineyard is planted at 1,450 metres on sandy soils rich in limestone and flint.

3150 FINCA FERRER MALBEC, ESTATE GROWN, GUALTALLARY, 2018 Malbec $ WEB $ WEB

Oaky, coconut and vanilla aromas lie over a ripe and cooked fruit compote background. It is mediumbodied with quite an austere acidity forcing its way through on the palate. Sour blackberries and cherries with a chewy finish. 80% of the wine was matured in French oak barrels, 20% in American oak for 12 months.

3151

FINCA FERRER SYRAH, ESTATE GROWN, GUALTALLARY, 2020

Syrah

Cedar and pencil shavings are complemented by plum and chocolate aromas. It is medium-bodied but relatively light. Mellow fruits emerge on the palate with grainy tannins and a refreshing acidity.

3116

PINOT NOIR, AOC ALSACE, MÉDAILLE D'OR GILBERT & GAILLARD, 2020

3117 RIESLING VIEILLES VIGNES, AOC ALSACE, 2020

Riesling

Pinot Noir is the only black grape authorized in the Alsace AOC. Red apple aromas lead to quite a grippy palate with structure and a nice bitter cherry finish.

A flinty Riesling with some astringent limey fruits and spicy notes. It is well balanced with good depth and a sour lemon and lime finish. Produced from grapes from vines a minimum 25 years old. As vines age, their roots burrow deeper for nutrients and water producing ripe, concentrated grapes.

2022 Cellar Schedule

C290: Burgundy, Australia & New Zealand

Opens November 9, 2021

Last day to order: December 13, 2021

Mail form by: November 30, 2021

Expected release: Spring 2022

C291: South Africa & Tuscany

Opens December 14, 2021

Last day to order: January 17, 2022

Mail form by: January 3, 2022

Expected release: Summer 2022

C292: Argentina, Chile & Alsace

Opens January 18, 2022

Last day to order: February 21, 2022

Mail form by: February 7, 2022

Expected release: Summer 2022

C293: Rhône, Chablis, Champagne & Scotland

Opens February 22, 2022

Last day to order: March 28, 2022

Mail form by: March 14, 2022

Expected release: Summer 2022

C294: Spain & Austria

Opens March 29, 2022

Last day to order: May 2, 2022

Mail form by: April 18, 2022

Expected release: Fall 2022

C295: Bordeaux, Bergerac, Beaujolais & Cognac/Armagnac

Opens May 3, 2022

Last day to order: June 6, 2022

Mail form by: May 20, 2022

Expected release: Fall 2022

C296: Veneto, Puglia & Northern Italy, Germany & Corsica

Opens June 7, 2022

Last day to order: July 11, 2022

Mail form by: June 27, 2022

Expected release: Winter 2023

C297: Languedoc-Roussillon, Loire & Provence

Opens July 12, 2022

Last day to order: August 15, 2022

Mail form by: July 29, 2022

Expected release: Winter 2023

C298: The United States, Portugal and the Port Bottle Shop

Opens August 16, 2022

Last day to order: September 19, 2022

Mail form by: September 2, 2022

Expected release: Winter 2023

C299: Piedmont, Sicily, Le Marche, Abruzzo & Canada

Opens September 20, 2022

Last day to order: November 7, 2022

Mail form by: October 25, 2022

Expected release: Spring 2023

If you have any questions or want to order, contact us: MemberService@Opimian.ca or 1 800 361-9421

Red - White - Rosé - Sparkling - Port/Dessert - Spirit

Bottle size

Number of bottles in case

Aroma

Taste

Serving temperature

Percent of alcohol1

Ideal with

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

Body

Light - Medium - Great Oak Light - Medium - Heavy Limited quantity

Vegetarian2 Overall top 10 from last year

Ordering Made Easy

1. SELECT YOUR WINES

Let yourself be inspired by Opimian’s Master of Wine, Jane Masters MW, and her detailed descriptions included in the Cellar Offering. Our custom chart on the reverse side features a list of symbols to help guide your selection.

Still unsure which wines to order? Contact us!

2. PLACE YOUR ORDER

There are four ways to order. The last day to order for each Cellar Offering can be found listed on the reverse. No orders will be processed after this time.

1 800 361-9421

Mail this form 14 days before end of the Cellar to Opimian Wine Club de Vin 300 - 2170 René-Lévesque West Montreal, QC H3H 2T8

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 listed on the reverse.

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), wine credits 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. In the case of any price discrepancy between printed materials and the website, the price published on the website prevails.

• All orders are by the case, with no minimum required.

Notes, as required by the law in the Province of Quebec

• 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.

Notes, as required by the law in the Province of Alberta

• All purchase transactions are completed pursuant to the laws in the Province of Alberta and are between you as the customer and Rocky Mountain Wine, Spirits & Beer (“Rocky Mountain”), an independent third party of Opimian Society (“Opimian”). All charges will appear on your credit card statement as Rocky Mountain.

• You hereby acknowledge and agree that your dealings with Rocky Mountain which are not related to an Opimian purchase, including payment and all other terms, conditions, representations and warranties related to such transaction, whether implied by law or by expressed agreement between you and Rocky Mountain, are solely between you and Rocky Mountain and not Opimian. You hereby acknowledge that Opimian is not responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of, or in connection with, or a resulting transaction, and you hereby release and waive any claims you may have against Opimian in connection thereof.

Full name Telephone Member no.

Payment Methods

l Cheque l Use of wine credits

l Use credit card on file. Please go to your dashboard at Opimian.ca to update your credit card on file or contact Member Service.

Cellar Number Date