NORTHWEST TERRITORIES ORDER BY JULY 6, 2009
OFFERING 190
The California, wines of South New Zealand and Australia CanadaAfrica, and a reprise from Spain & Italy
CELLAR OFFERING 190
California, Canada and a reprise from Spain & Italy
Over many years, we have refined our selections from California, a state with thousands of sites which present winemakers with opportunities to produce fine wines. In this cellar offering we return to the Golden State and introduce a new supplier from the Central Coast. Then to Canada where, despite the difficulties of working with vines in an unfriendly climate, the Canadian wineries we have selected are crafting red and white wines which show the potential of the terroirs in displays of fine characteristics and lively interest. Finally, Spain, the country with the highest acreage of vines and third in volume production, offers wines of outstanding quality. A variety of wines from this country, alongside a small group from Italy, have been selected for members who missed earlier cellar offerings from these countries.
California
Burgess Vineyards, Howell Mountain
BURGESS CELLARS St. Helena, Howell Mountain Among the vast number of wines of California, those of Napa Valley pioneer, Tom Burgess, stand out for the concentration of their fruit and unremitting quality. Since planting his first vines on the slopes of Howell Mountain in 1972, Tom and his family have created a legendary reputation for their excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot labels.
2
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 190
CALIFORNIA BURGESS CELLARS >>
5141
SYRAH, NAPA VALLEY, 2005 $30.75
12 BTLS/750 ML $369.00
Fruit from Yountville was blended with wine from the Burgess’ Ink Grade Vineyard in Pope Valley and was then long-matured in 40% French and 60% American oak, producing typical Napa generosity. Burgess claims it to have central Rhône attributes, but the vigour and fruit that fizzes off the black colour to fill the glass with a heady mix of blackberry and flowers is decidedly New World. In spite of the heat of the vintage, the characteristics were enhanced by aeration during fermentation before the time in oak shaved the hard edges off the tannins. M7 D8
5142
MERLOT, NAPA VALLEY, 2006 $32.42
12 BTLS/750 ML $389.00
The vineyards south of Yountville in the Oak Knoll site are planted north to south to ensure that the vines capture sun throughout the day. This exposure guarantees the full ripening of the fruit, producing all the complexity of a wellstocked basket of Merlot components, in particular black stone fruit. The colour is intense, with a bouquet yielding notes of eucalyptus, tobacco leaves and spice, but it is the palate that shows the Burgess’ pursuit of concentration. Vanilla, chocolate, ground coffee and mint, it remains perfectly balanced. M5 D6
5143
Grape Variety
Syrah, Grenache
Aroma
Complex, notes of black pepper and pine needles along with intense floral notes
Taste
Peppery, spicy flavours with blueberry, blackberry jam and vanilla
Serve
18° C
Evolution
Forward, close to mature, drink now to 2013
Ideal with
Roast pork loin
Warm spice, cinnamon, black cherry Grape Variety
Merlot
Aroma
Big nose augmented by 100% malolactic fermentation
Taste
Remarkably soft and sweet, use of oak in maturation adds a variety subtle notes
Serve
18º C
Evolution
Hardly in the bottle, hide it for a special date, drink 2010 - 2020
Ideal with
A roasted joint of Malica Family Farm Alberta beef
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY, 2005 $40.67
6 BTLS/750 ML $244.00
Always tinkering to make sure the final blend is as close to perfect as possible, Tom uses fruit from two hillside vineyards, one on the western side of Howell Mountain and the other on the eastern side of Pope Valley where water stressing enhances the concentration of the must. The 2005 vintage was close to perfect with heavy rains producing good volumes of well-balanced fruit. The wine offers a deep colour and aromas of mint, tea and spice alongside notes of smoke with crushed, soft berry fruit. In the mouth the initial tannic bite yields to flavours of black fruit with a juicy core. Powerful and exciting, this wine will be there for the long haul. M6 D6
5144
Explodes with force and concentration
Big wine retaining fine balance Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec
Aroma
Rich black cherry, stylish Cabernet blend showing classic cassis touched by wild raspberry
Taste
Velvety mouth-filling wine with superb structure and fine-grained tannin
Serve
18º C
Evolution
Cellar with confidence for 5 - 8 years, drink 2010 - 2018
Ideal with
Rich game dishes, roast duck, goose
ENVEIERE, NAPA VALLEY, 2002 $55.33
6 BTLS/750 ML $332.00
The Enveiere, meaning a message from the vineyard, is the realized dream of a passionate enthusiast. Emphatically Cabernet-centerd, this Meritage blend comes from unirrigated vines grown on the steep slopes of Howell Mountain and demonstrates the profound level of concentration to be found in mountain side vineyards. Naturally rich, the yields are very small. This is one of the reasons for the price, but more importantly it is the winemaker’s skill that has made the structure rich enough to show the fruit, spice and length. M6 D7
CALIFORNIA BURGESS CELLARS >>
Big, bold, fat and stunning Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot
Aroma
Concentrated plum, cassis, blueberries
Taste
Soft, earthy notes, hints of smoke, complex, intense, persistent and elegant
Serve
18° C
Evolution
Enjoyable now, but it will keep for many years, drink now to 2017
Ideal with
Duck in a reduced Merlot and plum sauce
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
3
STELTZNER VINEYARDS Stags Leap, Napa Valley Dick Steltzner was the first top quality Californian producer to send his wines north to Opimian. From the beginning of our relationship with Dick we have followed and admired his wines and the personality of the man behind the label. Dick is a knowledgeable extrovert and a perfect example of the axiom, “What you see is what you get!” Steltzner property prepared for one of the many events held outdoors
5145
ESTATE PINOTAGE, STAGS LEAP, NAPA VALLEY, 2006 $45.50
6 BTLS/750 ML $273.00
The Steltzner winery lies low on the right of the Silverado Trail beneath a steep, cone-shaped hill hollowed out to hold stocks of maturing wines. Nearby, a terrace overlooks Steltzner’s Pinotage vineyard where a sheltered, warm microclimate ripens the fruit as far as it can go. Only four wineries produce Pinotage in California; this is clearly the best. Naturally dark and crimson-coloured, the nose is ripe mulberry, strawberry and sweet cassis with a touch of herbs. Incredibly soft and chewy with a juicy mouth-feel and supple, sweet tannins, it is easy drinking. M7 D8
5146
ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, STAGS LEAP, NAPA VALLEY, 2006 $50.33
6 BTLS/750 ML $302.00
Steltzner’s vineyard, high along the Stags Leap bench, provides excellent fruit with classic Cabernet personality, intense concentration and striking colour and tannins. The fruit was hand-harvested and crushed before fermentation after which it was pressed into stainless steel tanks where malolactic fermentation enhanced the colour and flavours. The finished wine was matured in French and American barrels for a period of twenty-four months. Recently tasted, it has developed magnificently with bold aromas and masses of cassis, plums, mint, liquorice, black cherry and chocolate. M6 D6
5147
Grape Variety
Pinotage
Aroma
Black stewed fruit with floral notes
Taste
Big in the mouth, fat and ripe, modest, easy tannins
Serve
16° - 18° C
Evolution
Ready now, the tannins are silken
Ideal with
Anything off the barbecue
Typical power of a Steltzner wine Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon
Aroma
Complex with excellent fruit aromas redolent of plums and blackberries
Taste
Well-balanced flavours of cinnamon and cream with concentrated cassis and blackcurrant
Serve
19º C
Evolution
Great drinking, but it will last for years, drink 2009 - 2015
Ideal with
Lamb cutlets with a redcurrant sauce
ESTATE CABERNET FRANC, STAGS LEAP, NAPA VALLEY, 2006
Powerful, brambly, structured Cabernet
$50.33
Grape Variety
Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Aroma
Cassis, cedar, mint
Taste
Typical Stags Leap fruit, black cherry, balanced tannins
Serve
18º C
Evolution
Structure will continue to evolve with proper cellaring
Ideal with
Mushroom risotto, Portobello ratatouille, chard sautéed with garlic, onions and tomatoes
6 BTLS/750 ML $302.00
All the grapes in this classic came from the Steltzner vineyard where a fine, southerly exposure produced perfectly ripened fruit. Now ready for tasting, it has an aroma that offers fresh, leafy notes alongside cassis and molasses followed by briary notes of loganberry and oak cedar. On the palate it is layered with the same fruit elements and dark chocolate with chewy tannins. It has great ageing potential. M6 D7
4
A real success story for an uncommon grape for California
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 190
CALIFORNIA STELTZNER VINEYARDS >>
5148
ESTATE RMS SIGNATURE RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, STAGS LEAP, NAPA VALLEY, 2006 $97.50
6 BTLS/750 ML $585.00
For this fabulous wine, the best of the barrels were selected to create a seamless blend for the winery flagship. It has an intense, ruby red colour with an aroma of great power and distinction that showcases cassis, truffles and black fruits along with a delicate balsamic note, black pepper, green olives and a touch of chocolate. Blackcurrant and blackberry come through again on the palate along with a touch of toast. Firm tannins have integrated well with the oak while pleasant acidity adds freshness and grace. This wine will continue to soften and gain complexity in the bottle. M5 D6
Fine, full, firm, a truly presidential affair Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon
Aroma
Heightened aroma with blackberries, floral fragrance and a pinch of pepper
Taste
Powerful and lively with impressive length on the palate
Serve
19º C
Evolution
Great structure will give long life, drink 2010 - 2020
Ideal with
Roast pork loin, roasted saddle of new season’s lamb
X WINERY AND AMICUS CELLARS Napa
X Winery & Amicus Cellars tasting room located in downtown Napa
Reed Renaudin founded X Winery and Amicus in 2001, based on a paper he wrote for his MBA business plan. He represents one of the best of a new generation of California winemakers, taking a passionate approach to winemaking and embracing quality at every stage of the process. The goal is to make wines that are distinctively “X” in style and great care is taken with every aspect that affects the final product including the use of the finest American and French oak barrels. In an endeavour to reduce their “carbon footprint”, the winery continues in its efforts to “keepin’ it green”. The Eco Series bottles used by the winery are made using energy efficient methods to reduce packaging; therefore, lighter bottles allow for more bottles per truck and increased shipping units, therefore reducing excess trucking.
CALIFORNIA STELTZNER VINEYARDS >> X WINERY AND AMICUS CELLARS >>
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
5
5149
PURE SAUVIGNON BLANC, LAKE COUNTY, 2008 $26.00
6 BTLS/750 ML $156.00
The grapes were sourced from the Lake County appellation, the area surrounding Clear Lake, the largest inland body of water in the state. The vines that cloak the hills from the lakeshore to the summit at 3000 feet share seven individual soil types which add interest and complexity to the grapes. This wine has fresh passion fruit and gooseberry aromas, red capsicum, lime and melon while the palate features strong lemon/lime acidity providing crispness and fine mineral notes on the finish. Superbly fresh, it ends with slices of green apples and nettles. [00] M8 D8
5150
PURE ZINFANDEL, NORTH COAST, 2007 $26.00
6 BTLS/750 ML $156.00
This wine reflects the bright luminescence of the Californian environment combined with the diverse conditions of the terrain which mixes clay, shale, volcanic rock and ash. Modest temperatures produce a scintillating mix of boysenberry, blackcurrant and ripe apple with a hint of caramel and cedar. Persistent fruit dances through the palate with delicious freshness. M7 D7
5151
6 BTLS/750 ML $161.00
To make this outstanding wine, the fruit was brought in from three north coast regions, Napa, Lake County and Sonoma. The results speak volumes; this is a fine wine with a dark colour and a bouquet filled with wild fruit augmented by harmonious nuances woven into the fabric to present both charm and power on the palate. The 2007 vintage was one of the best of recent years with the vines producing small berries which concentrated the flavours and rich, pungent, mouth-filling tannins. M6 D7
X WINERY “X 3”, TRI-COUNTY CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2007 $30.33
6 BTLS/750 ML $182.00
The grapes come mainly from a hillside vineyard surrounded by lush forests of deciduous trees where the rocky soil produces a small crop of highly extracted and intense Cabernet grapes. The 2007 vintage produced a low yield of fantastic Sonoma fruit to blend with a small portion from High Valley, Lake County. The flavours are complex, truly mountain Cabernet. Well-balanced with dark fruit, white pepper, lavender and cherry, it has elegant tannins with a lingering oak finish that fire hoses varietal flavours across the palate from the entry to the finish. M5 D5
6
Grape Variety
Sauvignon Blanc
Aroma
Grassy and green herb fragrances alongside tropical elements
Taste
Juicy, dry, crisp and well-defined
Serve
9° C
Evolution
Enjoy it soon
Ideal with
Oysters
Much loved by Californians, this “Zin” explains the appeal Grape Variety
Zinfandel
Aroma
Ripe red fruit, spice, liquorice
Taste
Full-bodied with a lively structure and concentrated flavour
Serve
18º C
Evolution
Energetic flavours make it great now
Ideal with
Venison casserole, game pie
X WINERY “RED X” CABERNET BLEND, 2007 $26.83
5152
As “Pure” as its label
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 190
76% Lake County, 15% Napa Valley, 9% Sonoma Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
Aroma
Candied notes are reminiscent of France’s Rhône Valley
Taste
The Zinfandel polishes the wine adding tannin and acidity
Serve
18º C
Evolution
A story on two parts, good now, will develop and be even better, drink now to 2015
Ideal with
Hamburgers, baby back ribs, spicy sausages, grilled chicken
From vineyards perched high above the fog line Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon
Aroma
Compelling nose of liquorice and blackcurrant
Taste
Full-bodied, lots of extract and sweet tannins with a long finish
Serve
18º C
Evolution
Layered flavour with each sip, but it is not ready to show its full potential
Ideal with
Rare beef, hard cheeses
CALIFORNIA X WINERY AND AMICUS CELLARS >>
5153
X WINERY NOVA VINEYARDS ZINFANDEL, LAKE COUNTY, 2008 $32.50
Rich, dark flavours
6 BTLS/750 ML $195.00
This comes from a vineyard planted in the mid ’60s on benchland at Kelseyville in Lake County where the soil is an ancient, alluvial riverbed near the Mount Konocti volcano. Certified organic, the vines are farmed to achieve the highest possible quality through cover cropping, pruning, suckering, leaf removal and green crop thinning. Robustly Merlot in character, spicy and piquant, the flavours include cassis, raspberries and blackberries with a spoonful of rhubarb. Smooth and elegant, it is powerful and long in the mouth. M8 D8
5154
X WINERY SPRING MOUNTAIN MERLOT, NAPA VALLEY, 2006 $35.83
6 BTLS/750 ML $215.00
AMICUS SPECIAL BLEND, SPRING MOUNTAIN, NAPA VALLEY, 2005 $45.00
Zinfandel
Aroma
Dark liquorice, chocolate, pepper, black fruit
Taste
Typically flavoured Zinfandel with concentrated fruit flavours
Serve
16º - 18º C
Evolution
Very much a debutante, but it is coming out and blossoming
Ideal with
Risotto alla Milanese, gourmet pizza, ossobuco
Great wine, mouth-filling and rich
When the Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wines gave this wine 87 marks, they were being rather unfair because this is pure Merlot joy; a wine filled with brambly red berries, peppery at the entry before the sweet tasting fruit fills the mouth. The grapes were sourced from mountainside and valley floor vineyards which ensure all the complexity that can be preserved in the bottle. Wines from warm Spring Mountain vineyards and those of Carneros, cooled by breezes off the ocean, combine to fill the palate with concentrated flavours of blackberry, cherry and juicy cassis. This is a wine of delightful proportions and great intensity. M7 D7
5155
Grape Variety
Grape Variety
Merlot, Petit Verdot
Aroma
Piquant capsicum, black pepper, deep black fruit
Taste
A stunner, sweet and fruity at its heart
Serve
18º C
Evolution
Softening as the tannin is captured by the ripe fruit
Ideal with
New York strip loin, red and rare
An intercontinental rocket with nuclear power
6 BTLS/750 ML $270.00
Although this starts life as a Meritage blend of the noble Bordeaux grapes, it is far from showing similarity with Bordeaux apart from its colour. Produced from mountainside fruit, from vines spaced metre by metre, on a 30° slope, the colour is profound, rich and concentrated. The bouquet oozes cassis, plum, mint, liquorice, black cherry and chocolate. It is sensitively blended allowing each grape to show some individuality like the anise and flowers of the Petit Verdot. Great complexity and concentration are revealed before the wine waltzes elegantly into fond memory. M6 D7
Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
Aroma
Powerful, sweet nose of cassis and spring flowers
Taste
Muscular, concentrated, it over-delivers fruit and complexity
Serve
19° C
Evolution
Big, powerful and massive, needs more time, drink 2010 - 2018
Ideal with
Beef steaks with peppercorn sauce, spiced venison steak with red-cabbage confit and a reduced red wine sauce
Ironstone Zinfandel
IRONSTONE VINEYARDS Murphys, Calaveras County The story of this winery and the Kautz family is interwoven into the fabric of California and its wines. John Kautz, son of German immigrants, was born on a smallholding in Lodi and started farming a few acres his father had bought years earlier. Since the faltering early days and with 5000 acres under vines, John’s family has become one of the largest players in the California wine industry. Although John and Gail have handed day to day operations to their four children, this is still a hands-on, family-owned business.
CALIFORNIA X WINERY AND AMICUS CELLARS >> IRONSTONE VINEYARDS >>
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
7
5158
CHARDONNAY, STONE VALLEY, 2008 $19.25
12 BTLS/750 ML $231.00
Named after the well-drained, gravelly vineyard where the grapes develop in perfect conditions, free of mildew and mould diseases, the fruit is filled with rich, concentrated flavour. The 2008 vintage has a pleasant crispness balanced by lemony acidity. It is the preservation of this vital acidity that is the major focus of the winemaking with predawn picking in the cool morning air, followed by crushing and cold fermentation. The complex aromas of lime, pear, white blossom, apricot and vanilla are compounded in the rich, well-balanced flavours. [00] M8 D8
5159
12 BTLS/750 ML $231.00
A blend of grapes from northern California, the fruit was crushed and then fermented in Stone Valley’s Australian designed rotary fermenters that turn slowly, day and night, ensuring that every last flavour nuance is extracted. This is a cool process and with less heat the aromas are more forward and the tannins riper. Prior to barrel ageing, a percentage of Cabernet Franc was added to enhance the richness of the balance. A wine with a layered structure, it has perfect poise and balance with a palate-filling mouthfeel. M7 D8
MERLOT, STONE VALLEY, 2007 $19.25
12 BTLS/750 ML $231.00
Like many of the wines bearing the Stone Valley label, this is produced exclusively for Opimian. The grapes come from northern California and are invariably blended to ensure that all the fruit is perfectly ripe at the moment of crushing. After settling the must, the tanks are cooled before the rotary fermenters produce forward, fruit-driven, varietal characteristics with pungent cassis flavours and piquant, sweet, cinnamon-edged spice. Darkly coloured, the palate oozes with ample plum and cherry and a hint of green olives. M7 D8
5161
Chardonnay
Aroma
Apples and peaches with biscuits
Taste
Good balance with finesse and bountiful fruit flavours, citrus, apple, mango
Serve
10º C
Evolution
Intended for early drinking, this is ready now
Ideal with
Baked Sea Bass with lemon and fennel
A deep, concentrated Cabernet Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Aroma
Ripe plum and liquorice followed by currant, toast and cedar notes
Taste
Expansive flavours include black cherry and finish with fleshy blue plums
Serve
18º C
Evolution
Plenty of tannin but most enjoyable now, drink now to 2014
Ideal with
Grilled steak, caramelized onions and wild mushrooms
One of the smoothest reds in the field Grape Variety
Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Aroma
Explosive fruitiness, ripe plums with fresh mint
Taste
Mouth-filling, ripe raspberries and blackcurrants
Serve
17º - 19º C
Evolution
Delightful now
Ideal with
Lamb chops with coarse-grain mustard and red tomato chutney
OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, ANGELS CREEK, LODI, 2008 $21.33
12 BTLS/750 ML $256.00
Years ago when Opimian consultant, Ken Christie, became advisor to a Lodi winery, his revelation came on learning that the Central Valley could feed the world, but the real surprise was the quality of the wines. This fine Zin, produced by sustainable viticulture, comes from 45 year-old vines grown at a Kautz vineyard in the Mokelumne Valley. It is brilliant with deep colour and medium body giving lovely aromas of blackberry and plum. Subtle pepper spice mingles with flavours smoothed and enhanced by wood ageing. M7 D7
8
Grape Variety
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, STONE VALLEY, 2007 $19.25
5160
Unoaked Chardonnay brimming with fruit
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 190
Tremendous, emphatic red fruit Grape Variety
Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
Aroma
Spicy red fruit nose, jammy, brambly
Taste
Fresh summer pudding with black pepper
Serve
16° C
Evolution
Opulent now, this is a good moment to enjoy
Ideal with
Pasta dishes, grilled meats, sausages with ovenroasted vegetables
CALIFORNIA IRONSTONE VINEYARDS >>
5162
PETITE SIRAH, ANGELS CREEK, LODI, 2008 $21.33
12 BTLS/750 ML $256.00
This is huge! Starting with a profound, dark purple colour, impenetrable in the centre, it leads into the bold, warm aromas of a fresh-baked blueberry pie mixed with vanilla and a light touch of spicy white pepper. The full flavour of lush red berries mingles with dark chocolate, leaves and bonfire smoke before taking the long way to the finish where the mouth-feel is smooth, but edged with grainy tannin. M7 D7
5163
SYRAH, ANGELS CREEK, LODI, 2008 $21.25
12 BTLS/750 ML $255.00
The warm, dry summers of Lodi almost replicate the aridity of the northern Rhône, but there is little similarity between this and its French cousins. The fruit comes from two Kautz farms, one low-lying in hot Alta Mesa, the other high at 1800 feet at Sloughhouse. Blending the fat Alta Mesa wine with the more refined Sloughhouse gives tannic balance to both with the acidity needed to harmonize with the luscious fruit. Deep crimson red, the nose is intense showing cassis, raspberry and a sturdy backbone that runs through the length of the lingering flavour. M6 D7
A treat for those who like their wines big and gutsy Grape Variety
Petite Sirah
Aroma
Dried flowers balance the brooding bramble, blackberry and black cherry
Taste
Ripe fruit, smoke, vanilla, cocoa, nuances of fresh mint complemented by supple tannins
Serve
18º C
Evolution
Goblets of fruit now, more sophistication later, drink within a couple of years
Ideal with
Venison stew
Brooding bramble and blackcurrant Grape Variety
Syrah
Aroma
Intense blackberry and cherry accompanied by spicy notes and chocolate
Taste
Cassis, red cherry and blackberry
Serve
16° - 20° C
Evolution
Very young but none the worse, enjoy this year or wait for a couple more
Ideal with
Pork chops with sweet plum sauce
MOUNTAIN VIEW VINTNERS Novato, Marin County Mountain View Vintners was founded by Kevin Shannon, an enormously friendly character so typical of the informality of the California wine scene. Kevin has supplied Opimian over many years, constantly knowledgeable of advances in wine technology and always at the heart of wine country gossip. He has once again presented a great selection.
Crimson Clover is commonly used as cover crop in California vineyards
CALIFORNIA IRONSTONE VINEYARDS >> MOUNTAIN VIEW VINTNERS >>
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
9
5165
OPIMIAN CALIFORNIA WHITE, NV $17.83
12 BTLS/750 ML $214.00
To introduce even more personality to his wine, Kevin changed the blend pattern and now uses only Chenin Blanc and perfume-filled Colombard. The winemaker selected early-picked grapes to maintain the acidity level. Unlike many Californian generic wines which are too high in alcohol, this combines elegance with fragrance, nice fruit, particularly apple and pears and a perfectly clean finish. [00] M9 D9
5166
OPIMIAN CALIFORNIA RED, NV $17.83
12 BTLS/750 ML $214.00
Kevin’s California red offers a rich, layered core of cherry, strawberry and plum notes with echoes of black fruit and spice on the finish. A supple wine perfect for any everyday occasion, it is a blend of Ruby Cabernet, Carignan, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah with care focused on the handling of the grapes from vine to bottle. Kevin’s vineyards are meticulously managed with a green harvest in early summer, ensuring that reduced yields give the wine a rich aroma and long flavours. M9 D9
5167
CHARDONNAY, BUTTERFLY RIDGE, MONTEREY COUNTY, 2008 $20.75
12 BTLS/750 ML $249.00
Made from grapes provided from neighbouring properties in Monterey County, it is rich and fleshy with a smooth, creamy texture revealing apple, melon and hints of honeysuckle with touches of citrus for a lingering aftertaste. Developing in the glass, rich notes of citrus, melon and vanilla show the typically extroverted characteristics of the varietal. Medium-bodied, the lingering finish has ripe fruit and crisp acid that refreshes the palate. [00] M8 D8
5168
Grape Variety
Chenin Blanc, French Colombard
Aroma
Flowers, apples, pears
Taste
Balanced levels of malic and citric acid ensure a clean impression and reasonable length
Serve
11º C
Evolution
Waiting not required, this is ready
Ideal with
As an appetizer
Upfront fruit drives remarkable ripeness Grape Variety
Ruby Cabernet, Carignan, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
Aroma
Good level of fruit
Taste
Spicy berry fruit and masses of flavour
Serve
15º - 19º C
Evolution
Easy, ready to enjoy
Ideal with
Fillet of pork, veal, duck à l'orange
Bright gold in colour and enticing Grape Variety
Chardonnay
Aroma
Granny Smith apples and dessert pears
Taste
Rich, persistent flavours
Serve
10º C
Evolution
Made to be opened soon
Ideal with
Lemon-buttered chicken served cold with a tarragon cream sauce
PINOT GRIGIO, BUTTERFLY RIDGE, 2008 $20.75
12 BTLS/750 ML $249.00
Displaying the hallmark attributes of fine Pinot Grigio, a subtly infused tinge of green to the white-gold hue leads to the aromatic, elegant nose which is reminiscent of peaches, green apples and floral hints. Light and refreshing, it has plenty of verve. White peach flavours are framed by lemony acidity with a hint of tropical fruit and a honeyed texture that builds through to a crisp, rounded finish. This is Pinot Grigio with attitude. [00] M8 D8
10
Simple, fresh and honest
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 190
Tingles, buzzes with liveliness Grape Variety
Pinot Grigio
Aroma
Vivid green fruit, apples, limes
Taste
Acidity cleans and fills the palate with peach, green fruit, gooseberry and white flowers
Serve
8º C
Evolution
Perfect now, grab the freshness of its fruit
Ideal with
Drink on its own pre-dinner
CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN VIEW VINTNERS >>
5169
ZINFANDEL ROSÉ, BUTTERFLY RIDGE, 2008 $18.08
12 BTLS/750 ML $217.00
Mild-flavoured with fresh, zingy acidity that evokes the zest of a lemon, the qualities of the Zinfandel grape emerge with base notes of cherry and jam, a spicy, aromatic nose and ample juicy fruit with structure vividly expressing quaffability. The bright strawberry-pink colour leads to fruit on the nose and a touch of spice. The palate ends with hints of redcurrant and good weight to carry it through to the frisky finish. [00] M8 D9
5170
MERLOT, BUTTERFLY RIDGE, LAKE COUNTY, 2007 $20.83
12 BTLS/750 ML $250.00
Kevin buys the fruit for this wine from the same vineyard each year. The Stryker vineyard, high up the vine-covered slopes above Clear Lake, Lake County, is sufficiently cool so that the grapes reach perfect ripeness gradually. The Merlot spice has a piquancy that gives great length to the flavours which are dominated by damsons, blue plums, cherries and pressed blackcurrants. Blended with small amounts of Cabernet and Zinfandel, these add soft tannin notes to the palate. M7 D7
Rosé becomes ever more popular Grape Variety
Zinfandel
Aroma
Soft fragrance of raspberries and apple blossom
Taste
Dry, fresh, vibrant, light
Serve
11º C
Evolution
Ready the moment it is bottled
Ideal with
As an aperitif, little need for food
Easy and supple red fruit flavours Grape Variety
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel
Aroma
Plums, cassis, flowers, leaves
Taste
Plums, stone fruit
Serve
18º C
Evolution
Already drinking nicely
Ideal with
Pan-fried liver, bacon and mashed potatoes
Mountain View Vineyards
CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN VIEW VINTNERS >>
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
11
5171
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, BUTTERFLY RIDGE, CENTRAL COAST, 2007 $20.83
12 BTLS/750 ML $250.00
After picking, the fruit was brought to the winery for crushing and transfer into steel tanks. It was then macerated on the skins for two weeks during fermentation followed by a period of ageing in vat before bottling. It has a brilliant, dark red colour with hints of bay leaf, herbs and blackcurrant on the nose, typically easy-going Californian in style. The palate offers a supple, fruit-driven flavour with the fruit and soft tannins lingering through to a piquant finish. M7 D7
5172
CABERNET FRANC, BUTTERFLY RIDGE, CENTRAL COAST, 2006 $20.75
OLD WELL VINEYARDS ZINFANDEL, AMADOR COUNTY, SIERRA FOOTHILLS, 2006 $20.83
12 BTLS/750 ML $250.00
Zinfandel is one of those grapes that evoke great passion, perhaps because there is no constant characteristic that defines the variety. This one is full-bodied, sophisticated and smooth. The fruit is closer to blackberry than any other, its pungency reinforced by the grip of rustic, warm tannins that form a close, harmonious balance. Sewn into the flavours are fine lines of smoke and vanilla, nuances of flowers and a parting gift of dark chocolate on the finish. M6 D7
5174
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, RUTHERFORD CUVÉE, NAPA VALLEY, 2006, RIVERVIEW VINEYARDS $26.33
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel
Aroma
Clean, leafy blackcurrants
Taste
Full-bodied, soft and juicy with more blackcurrants and a spiced finish
Serve
17º - 19º C
Evolution
Low tannin extraction has brought it forward, drink 2009 - 2012
Ideal with
Roast lamb with spiced red cabbage
Well-formed, attractive and straightforward Grape Variety
Cabernet Franc
Aroma
Cherries, plums with floral notes and squashed berries
Taste
Starts slowly, but expands to fill the palate with freshly picked berries
Serve
18º C
Evolution
Austere tannins impose a firm grip on the balance, drink now to 2014
Ideal with
Perfect for cold meats
Ample and warm, wine for a winter’s tale Grape Variety
Zinfandel
Aroma
Roses, tea, cinnamon, crushed fruit
Taste
A symphony of black berries with an attractive vanilla note
Serve
16º - 18º C
Evolution
Good potential with more to come, drink 2010 – 2015
Ideal with
Couscous and shrimp salad with tangerines and almonds
Dark, deep and powerful
12 BTLS/750 ML $316.00
A small production of high quality, the grapes were sourced mainly in the Rutherford subdistrict, which accounts for the characteristic root earthiness so often associated with wines from the Rutherford Bench. Among all Californian wines, the Cabernets of Rutherford are compared only to those of Napa for super quality and this wine, blended with small percentages of other notable Bordeaux varietals, is no exception. Darkly coloured, it is rich with the aromas of stewed plums and notes of green leaves, full and meaty, but backed with clean freshness. The ripe, firm flavours are enhanced by excellent memories of barrel ageing in the subtle nuance of smoky, fine-grained oak. Steady and robust the captivating fruit will keep it high in quality as it benefits from a few more years of bottle ageing. M6 D7
12
Grape Variety
12 BTLS/750 ML $249.00
Dark red with a little purple at the rim, the nose has notes of butter with smoke, gravel, green mint, berry fruit and capers. In the mouth, the structure is quite reserved and rather less fat and rounded, but it shows elegance in a typically austere red wine structure. The flavours suggest red fruit, such as sour cherries and strawberries, accompanied by ripened tobacco leaves, black pepper and light toast. With plenty of character, it will continue to do well in the cellar. M7 D8
5173
Bulging at the seams with succulent fruit flavours
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 190
Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Aroma
Coffee, minerals, earth, and sweet, spiced oak
Taste
Clean and fresh, cedar, blackberry, tobacco leaf
Serve
19º C
Evolution
Great ageing potential, drink 2009-2017
Ideal with
Fillet of Alberta beef with dried fruits [figs, apricots and prunes]
CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN VIEW VINTNERS >>
TORTOISE CREEK Paso Robles, Master and Sager Families Members have known the Tortoise Creek wines of the Languedoc for many years, chuckling at the story of the antics of the amorous terrapins living in the creek below Melvyn Master’s home. Inspired by the amphibians, Melvyn created a number of varietals from small, high quality estates. Last year in partnership with Jordan Sager, an Illinois wine merchant, the brand was recreated using wines chosen from small vineyards in the Paso Robles region.
5175
CHARDONNAY, CENTRAL COAST, TORTOISE CREEK, 2007 $25.50
6 BTLS/750 ML $153.00
The fruit came from a vineyard along a creek of the Estrella River where the free-draining, sandy-loan soil produced small, intensely flavoured grapes. The clear, strawgolden colour offers a fresh, clean aroma filled with kiwi fruit, arum lilies and coconut milk. The flavours are rich and form a mix of fresh bread crust and citric fruit, sweetlyedged and persistent. The wine is totally delicious and with a beautifully complex fruit salad finish, it is easy to like. [01] M8 D8
5176
Grape Variety
Chardonnay
Aroma
Tropical notes of kiwi, papaya and passion fruit
Taste
Fresh and balanced with exotic flavours of jungle fruit, peach and melon
Serve
10° C
Evolution
Perfectly ready now, drink 2009 - 2012
Ideal with
Chicken in white wine with tarragon
MERLOT, CENTRAL COAST, TORTOISE CREEK, 2006 $25.50
6 BTLS/750 ML $153.00
This wine has a pure, limpid and intense colour reflecting the maturity of its black fruit. As the bouquet builds there is a close integration in the glass between the nose and the palate with an intense, fruity character, small mineral touches, good spice and an attractive whiff of fine oak. As the flavour profile takes shape, the sweet entry builds soft, ripe fruit that wells up into the middle palate before slowly fading in the grip of well-rounded velvet tannins. M8 D8
5177
Purity and flavour of the vineyard
Bold and round fruit Grape Variety
Merlot
Aroma
Intense cherry, blackberry and ground pepper aromas
Taste
Black fruit and spicy oak with gentle, mouthcaressing tannins
Serve
18° C
Evolution
Do not let the fruit get away, drink 2009 - 2011
Ideal with
Barbecued leg of lamb with anchovies and garlic
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CENTRAL COAST, TORTOISE CREEK, 2006
Utterly perfect, gorgeous, captivating
$25.50
Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon
Aroma
Vibrant blackberry, eucalyptus and cedar mingling with dark chocolate
Taste
Rich, luscious fruit with a round, satin-smooth finish
Serve
18° C
Evolution
Totally drinkable already, but it will fill out in the medium term
Ideal with
Shoulder steak grilled or baked in a pie with mushrooms, onions and thick gravy
6 BTLS/750 ML $153.00
The grapes were picked from a vineyard at the southernmost limit of Paso Robles, hardened by the Pacific, where cool daylight temperatures lengthened the ripening period, allowing the grapes to reach perfect ripeness. Rich and harmonious, it is loaded with intricate aromas of damsons, eucalyptus and cedar smoke. The sweet entry shows a touch of spice and juicy cassis before slipping away with lingering notes of roasted coffee and silky tannins. M8 D8
CALIFORNIA TORTOISE CREEK >>
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
13
WENTE VINEYARDS Castoro Cellars, Templeton, Paso Robles In these days of mobile employment it is unusual for a team to stay together for twenty years, but that is what has happened at Castoro with owner Niels Udsen and his winemaker and assistant, Tom Myers and Mikel Olsten. Along the way they bought land, planted vineyards, developed a brand selling 30,000 cases per year and built a winery. For more than half of that time they have been suppliers to Opimian. Wente Scenic View
14
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 190
CALIFORNIA WENTE VINEYARDS >>
5178
FUMÉ BLANC, PASO ROBLES, 2008 $25.50
6 BTLS/750 ML $153.00
Among the 72 wineries of Paso Robles, Castoro makes the boldest, fullest and most powerfully flavoured wines. They announce their opulence in loud tones as in this Sauvignon Blanc with big aromas of passion fruit, melon and grapefruit that fill the bouquet and lead to the palate which is full-bodied with rounder flavours than is typical. Plenty of fleshy fruit and enough crisp acidity on the finish keep the mouth-feel perky. [00] M7 D8
5179
6 BTLS/750 ML $166.00
The winemaking team sources the wines for this Chardonnay from several Central Coast vineyards to capture the complexity and fruit nuances that blending can provide. Rich with notes of citrus, melon and vanilla, it offers a fresh expression of the Chardonnay varietal. Barrel fermentation and partial malolactic enriched the flavours and added a toasty complexity. On the palate, fruit and pear aromas are offset by hints of oak and vanilla. Full-bodied, it has ripe fruit flavours, crisp acidity and a rich finish. [00] M7 D8
Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer
Aroma
Figs, citrus, melons
Taste
Fresh, crisp, lingering citrus notes, hint of spice
Serve
10º C
Evolution
Ready now
Ideal with
Courgette and goat's cheese tart with buttermilk pastry
A real “peaches and cream” style Chardonnay Grape Variety
Chardonnay
Aroma
Luscious tropical aromas of pineapple, peach, melon
Taste
Fully-developed, creamy, toasted flavours
Serve
10º C
Evolution
Still young, but perfectly easy and enjoyable now
Ideal with
Nova Scotia 1 1/2 lb broiled lobster
RESERVE VIOGNIER, CENTRAL COAST, 2008 $34.67
6 BTLS/750 ML $208.00
Mainly produced on the Steinbeck Vineyard in Paso Robles, this is an exotic, sumptuously rich wine packed with aromas of ripe tropical fruit and flowers. In the mouth the initial impact is rather fat, even oily, but then the full body of fruit, dripping with juicy nectarine, melon and papaya flavours, fills the middle palate with a fruit cocktail highlighted by crisp acidity that leads to a grapefruit-accented, wellrounded, delectable finish. [01] M7 D7
5181
Grape Variety
CHARDONNAY, CENTRAL COAST, 2008 $27.67
5180
Classic Sauvignon Blanc with a big heart
ZINFANDEL, PASO ROBLES, 2007 $28.17
6 BTLS/750 ML $169.00
It is difficult to find a better “Zin” than Niels Udsen’s wine. It is sourced almost exclusively from their own estate fruit with the only addition being from the nearby Templeton Gap, where cool night breezes and hot days produce intensely flavoured fruit. This is a mixture of black pepper, capsicum and black fruit with a jammy component from the high natural sugar levels at harvest time. Oak cask maturation helps to keep the balance together with the addition of a dollop of Petite Sirah for depth of colour and acidity. Intense, almost leathery, it is a rustic charmer. M7 D7
CALIFORNIA WENTE VINEYARDS >>
A wine of great character, density and structure Grape Variety
Viognier, Roussanne
Aroma
Apricots with citric fruits and peaches
Taste
Concentrated, full-bodied, good acidity
Serve
10º C
Evolution
Made for drinking young
Ideal with
Tiger prawn tempura with a sweet chilli dip
An easy drinking wine with distinct varietal characteristics Grape Variety
Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
Aroma
Blackberries, smoke, molasses, toast, spice
Taste
A mix of raspberry and blackberry jam with a moderate grip of tannin
Serve
14º - 16º C
Evolution
This is the “big easy”, enjoy anytime
Ideal with
Lightly-seared west coast salmon, sushi rice and a piquant pineapple sauce
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
15
Castoro Cellars
5182
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, PASO ROBLES, 2007 $28.17
6 BTLS/750 ML $169.00
Packed with rich berry flavours and partnered with toasty notes of oak wood and smoke, it is dark and lush in the glass. Then, warming to the palate, solid layers of Cabernet fruit, blackberry and cherry, plus herbs, cedar, and black pepper spread over a sweet, jazzy core. The use of American oak adds spice, vanilla, char and coconut to a vintage that produced aggressive tannins which are needed to control the big, corpulent personality. M6 D7
5183
6 BTLS/750 ML $169.00
The fruit ripened in the cooling breeze that blows through the Templeton Gap, across the vineyards. This provides an essential ingredient in the wide temperature range that assists the development of the complexity of the sweet black fruit, spice, bell pepper and the layered structure that has begun to emerge. Throughout the growing season the leaf canopy was thinned to increase sun exposure which further concentrated the flavour and colour. Now offering ripe plum and cherry flavours with soft tannins, it has the varietal concentration that will enable it to sustain maturation in a cool cellar. M7 D7
RESERVE PINOT NOIR, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, 2007 $34.67
6 BTLS/750 ML $208.00
Niels Udsen believes this is one of the valuable jewels in the Castoro treasure chest. The fruit comes from the Bien Nacido Vineyard where the yield was limited by crop thinning in July. All the winemaking techniques were set up to accentuate the cherry characteristics which are enhanced by ten months of ageing in French oak. The wine now shows the rich, dark flavours of black cherry, blackberry and chocolate mingling with hints of smoke and toast. A firm backbone reinforces the length of the structure which will mature gracefully over time. M6 D6
16
Diverse flavours, rich and concentrated Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon
Aroma
Plum, blackberry and currant with hints of anise and violets
Taste
Complex and rounded finishing with gruff, robust and forceful tannins
Serve
19º C
Evolution
Not at all ready, but the fruit is easy to find, drink 2010 - 2015
Ideal with
Pan-seared filet mignon with roasted potatoes and Merlot sauce
MERLOT, PASO ROBLES, 2006 $28.17
5184
Wente 4th & 5th generation family members
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 190
Well-structured with good fruit Grape Variety
Merlot
Aroma
Lively red fruit with a hint of pepper
Taste
Supple and velvety palate accompanied by masses of berry fruit
Serve
16° - 19° C
Evolution
Early ripened flavours as the tannin releases its grip, excellent now, drink now to 2014
Ideal with
Slow-braised lamb shank, pan-fried venison steaks with a black cherry reduction
Opulent and ripe Grape Variety
Pinot Noir
Aroma
Ripe raspberry and black fruits with a soft note of vanilla from well-managed barrel ageing
Taste
Soft, round, mouth-filling fruit delivers a clean, elegant and persistent finish
Serve
18º C
Evolution
Full flavours for this grape, it will reward patience, drink 2011 - 2016
Ideal with
Slow-cooked lamb and pomegranate couscous
CALIFORNIA WENTE VINEYARDS >>
Canada
Many countries have greatly improved the general quality of their wine production, but none more than Canada where, within a couple of decades and largely due to the persistence of a few pioneering visionaries, both whites and reds have so markedly improved that they take their place alongside others whose wines have been admired over many generations.
BLACK PRINCE WINERY Picton, Prince Edward County During the past month, Black Prince Winery has earned medals in the United States and in France for five different wines. Congratulations to the winery!
5186
MELON DE BOURGOGNE, 2008 $31.00
This little known grape is responsible for the light, elegant wines of Muscadet. In cool Prince Edward County it has flourished, producing one of the most attractive white wines of the year. It has a rich, mid-golden colour with a bouquet showing the charms of honeysuckle, orange blossom and a hint of freshly turned, damp earth. The delicate structure is lightly balanced with notes of apricot and peach. Dry, but rich, it leaves the palate clean and refreshed. [00] M8 D9
5187
CHARDONNAY, 2008 $31.00
Find a big, pleasing surprise
6 BTLS/750 ML $186.00
6 BTLS/750 ML $186.00
The 2007 Black Prince Winery Chardonnay took a bronze in this year’s international competition in France, the “Chardonnay du Monde”. Clearly it is a winner in the glass where fine, golden colour shines with green highlights. The bouquet is exactly right, youthful but forward with a fresh nose in which baked apple tart meets breadcrumbs and lime-accented acidity. Balanced, it is fresh and clean with small mineral edges, but little opulence to detract from the youthful impression. A little more time in bottle will see more tropical fruit development. [00] M8 D8
CANADA BLACK PRINCE WINERY >>
Grape Variety
Melon de Bourgogne
Aroma
Fresh with a lean, mineral flourish
Taste
Well-balanced with good weight followed by a clean, crisp finish
Serve
9° C
Evolution
Clearly young vines, enjoy it early to take hold of the fresh notes
Ideal with
Salmon trout poached in white wine, roasted sea bass with fennel salsa
A fine “sipper” for a hot summer's day Grape Variety
Chardonnay
Aroma
Modest honey, creamy with apples, melons and toast
Taste
Light, dry flavours supported by a crisp, mineral, textured finish
Serve
10º C
Evolution
Young, vigorous and delicious at this stage
Ideal with
Grilled Portobello salad with arugula
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
17
5188
RIESLING, 2008 $31.67
6 BTLS/750 ML $190.00
Silver-gold and brightly polished, there is a perfect introduction to the nose with its clear notes of heather honey and ripe peaches. Not big in the way of many German Rieslings, but delicate, classy and perfectly clean. The flavours start with a dry entry, but as the frisky acidity permeates, the palate builds flavour around a mix of lime, grapefruit and lemon. Clearly well made, the finish is enhanced by a small blending of Pinot Gris which adds a fruity note. [00] M8 D9
5189
CABERNET FRANC RESERVE, 2008 $32.50
6 BTLS/750 ML $195.00
This is the best red yet from the emerging Black Prince Winery’s cellars. Like most Prince Edward County wines it is elegantly structured. The attractive, rich, red berry fruit that dominates the palate can be found in the finely shaded middle colour and ripe, sensuous red fruit that shows raspberry jam and dark plum. Well-managed oak barrel fermentation added notes of interest to the bouquet with warm cedar mingling with vanilla, a hint of jam and dark chocolate that lasts through the finish. M7 D8
Delicious aperitif to sip on the deck Grape Variety
Riesling, Pinot Gris
Aroma
Light citrus and grapefruit enhanced by mineraltouched finesse
Taste
Layered, delicate balance,followed by a crunchy, green lettuce crispness
Serve
9° - 10° C
Evolution
Just about as fresh and lovely as it will ever be
Ideal with
Freshwater white fish in a light sauce
Soft and supple with juicy fruit flavours Grape Variety
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Aroma
Brambly fruit, floral, spicy bouquet
Taste
Fruity, ripe tannins, elegant finish
Serve
18° C
Evolution
Forward, light in tannin, enjoy within two to three years
Ideal with
Veal cutlets with smoked bacon, field mushrooms and broad beans
PELEE ISLAND WINERY Kingsville The most southerly inhabited location in Canada is not only a great, internationally famous bird sanctuary, but since 1979 has become even more famous for its celebrated winery. Over the past thirty years there has been a continuous struggle to reach the highest levels of excellence measured by participation in competitions the world over. Opimian is proud to have been associated with that effort since the winery’s early days.
5190
SAUVIGNON BLANC, PRIVATE SELECTION, VQA, 2008 $21.67
6 BTLS/750 ML $130.00
The plantings are relatively old, having been among the first vitis vinifera varieties to be planted successfully. This maturity of the vines, alongside the well-developed rooting systems, produces grapes with intense varietal characteristics that make wines that burst with ripe gooseberry, citrus lime, tropical melon and exotic, herbal nuances. The flavours excite and intrigue the palate as harmonized, lemony acidity ensures that the taste remains fresh from the initial sip through to the crisp and racy finish. [00] M8 D8
18
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 190
Light, elegant and whistle clean Grape Variety
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling
Aroma
Peppery notes with elderflower and capsicum
Taste
Slices of apple, gooseberry pie, banana and pineapple
Serve
10º C
Evolution
Most enjoyable now
Ideal with
Seafood, especially shellfish
CANADA BLACK PRINCE WINERY >> PELEE ISLAND WINERY >>
5191
CHARDONNAY AUXERROIS, PRIVATE SELECTION, VQA, 2008 $22.50
6 BTLS/750 ML $135.00
Pelee Island dedicated this label to two of Canada’s endangered species, one a frog, the other a toad. Ripening grapes on the Island rarely reach the super maturity achieved in warmer vineyard regions, but this tends to heighten the elegance and charm of the wines. A 60/40 blend of Chardonnay with Auxerrois, the Auxerrois, a grape closely related to Chardonnay, but originating in Alsace, blends harmoniously with its first cousin. Distinctly fruity with peach, pear and grapefruit, developing white flower aromas and plenty of elegance, it is structured and balanced. [02] M7 D8
5192
GEWÜRZTRAMINER, PRIVATE SELECTION, VQA, 2008 $23.33
6 BTLS/750 ML $140.00
A delicious, mouth-filling wine with excellent balance and fruit intensity, it is perhaps the best Gewürztraminer found in Canada. It needs the extra warmth found on the Island to bring the grapes to full, polyphenolic ripeness so that they can develop their outstanding aroma. Still moderately youthful, this is now showing a bouquet of apricots, peaches, rose petals and Turkish Delight. In the mouth it seems fat and viscous, but the finish is clearly rich with extract supporting the perfect level of residual sugar. [03] M8 D8
5193
Grape Variety
Chardonnay, Auxerrois
Aroma
Light, floral, attractive malic apples
Taste
Charming mix of lemony acidity, fruit and creamy oatmeal notes
Serve
9° C
Evolution
Will keep for five years in a good cellar, but it is tasting fresh now
Ideal with
Great for sharing with friends and family out on the patio
A good example of fine Canadian wine Grape Variety
Gewürztraminer
Aroma
Somewhat subdued, but all the perfumed ingredients are well-matched and in place
Taste
Fat, rich and modestly sweet with natural residual grape sugar
Serve
8º - 11º C
Evolution
Perfect now, enjoy this year
Ideal with
Hot smoked salmon with light chilli dressing
PINOT GRIGIO, PRIVATE SELECTION, VQA, 2008 $24.17
6 BTLS/750 ML $145.00
Like many Pinot Grigios the colour leans towards light pink. That is because the vine descended from a black grape and constantly tries to revert to type. But in the glass it displays the hallmark characteristics of fine Pinot Grigio; a subtly infused pinkish tinge to the white gold hue and an aromatic, elegant nose reminiscent of peaches, green apples and flowers. Perfectly refreshing, it is light to medium-bodied and bursting with zesty citrus flavours and hints of ripe stone fruit. This is an exciting new take on the popular Italian varietal. [01] M8 D9
5194
An interesting and attractive blend
GAMAY NOIR, PRIVATE SELECTION, VQA, 2008 $23.33
6 BTLS/750 ML $140.00
Partially produced by “macération carbonique” techniques, it has a deep colour with a nose that combines black fruits and vanilla. The concentrated bouquet provides an envelope that holds the ripe and fleshy components as they emerge in the mouth. With balanced tannins and an emphasis on boysenberry and blackcurrant, it is perfectly easy to serve chilled. A short period of oak barrel ageing helped it to mellow enough to be enjoyed now or to be cellared to complete its development. M8 D8
CANADA PELEE ISLAND WINERY
Perfect summer drinking wine Grape Variety
Pinot Grigio
Aroma
Pears and spun sugar with a hint of raspberry
Taste
Light, off-dry and crisp with delicious balance between zingy citrus and fruity red berries
Serve
10º C
Evolution
Ready today, order this week, enjoy this year
Ideal with
Shitake mushroom and havarti cheese quiche with a mixed green salad drizzled with a light vinaigrette dressing
A mix of elegance and softness with bold, ripe flavours Grape Variety
Gamay Noir
Aroma
Freshly crushed small red berries
Taste
A mirror image of the bouquet, but with an alcoholic buzz
Serve
12º - 16º C
Evolution
Ready now, it can be cellared for a couple of years, drink 2009 - 2011
Ideal with
Pork chops with curried apple-onion sauce
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
19
Spain & Italy
Revisited
The European wine-producing countries turn out roughly 60% of the world’s wine. 50% of this production is attributed to the three largest wine producers – France, Italy and Spain. We’ve taken you to the various regions of France throughout the 2009 offering season. With our last cellar offering for delivery in 2009, we revisit Spain and Italy. Of the top three wine producing countries, Spain has the lowest production in hectoliters, but has the largest area under vines. Italy, the second largest wine producing country, is expected to become the world leader in the near future. Whether it is your first or second visit to these countries, our selection offers the opportunity to complement your cellars with the fabulous wines from the country of many vineyards and the vineyards of Enotria, the land of wine.
Spain 5195
Ramón Bilbao Tempranillo
RAMÓN BILBAO SINGLE VINEYARD, DOC RIOJA, 2007, RAMÓN BILBAO $22.50
6 BTLS/750 ML $135.00
An astonishing wine at a great price, this is the “top end” wine from a long-established cellar, ranked one of the top five of Rioja, where fortunes have been spent in the winery and where a popular centre of wine tourism has been established. At harvest time, perfectly mature fruit from the vines in Haro, located in the Rioja Alta, were selected by winemaker Santos Calahorra before hand-sorting for the “Single Vineyard” label. Bright cherry red, intensely fruity with aromas of vanilla, pine, blackberry and brioche, the structure is subtle, long and persistent with finely balanced tannins. M7 D7
5196
SIERRA ALMIRÓN TEMPRANILLO, DO LA MANCHA, 2007, FINCA ANTIGUA $23.83
6 BTLS/750 ML $143.00
This Tempranillo comes from an estate purchased in 1998 by the Martínez Bujanda family, one of Rioja’s more important vineyard owners, who saw the huge potential of La Mancha which, until then, provided everyday wines to Madrid. The vines are planted on the plain at 900 metres where the diurnal temperature of 21° C ripens the grapes and retains their fresh flavours. The deep colour is an introduction to the crisp, fruity attack that develops in the mouth with pleasant spice and smooth, well-rounded secondary notes. M7 D7
20
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 190
A subtle symphony of smoke and ripe fruit Grape Variety
Tempranillo, Garnacha
Aroma
An intense compote of fruit and spice
Taste
Classic Rioja, long and complex with a velvety finish
Serve
18° C
Evolution
Perfect for now, but no hurry needed, drink now to 2015
Ideal with
Red meats marinated in wine and spices
The wind swept country of Don Quixote Grape Variety
Tempranillo
Aroma
Aromas of blackberries and redcurrants happily married to a touch of oak
Taste
Fine fruit/acid balance, sophisticated flavours
Serve
16° C
Evolution
This grape ages well, drink now to 2012
Ideal with
Grilled rack of lamb, roast beef carved from the bone
SPAIN & ITALY REVISITED SPAIN >>
5197
VINEA RESERVA, TEMPRANILLO, DO CIGALES, 2003, FINCA MUSEUM $24.83
6 BTLS/750 ML $149.00
Discovery of the smaller denominations of northern Spain has rewarded Opimians who delight in the complexity of the wines from these harsh, windswept vineyards. Vinea comes from 50 year old vines planted in the Pisuerga Valley at 2600 feet. The 2003 vintage was perfect with a hot fermentation taking 21 days before maturation for 24 months in new French oak. Frequent oxidative racking resulted in a wine with power and volume, intensely coloured with piquant spice combining with jam and fruit and cigar tones. Smooth, ample tannins provide an attractive mouth-feel, velvety, expressive and long. M8 D8
5198
ORIELLA TEMPRANILLO CRIANZA, DO VINOS DE MADRID, 2006, BODEGAS ORIELLA $25.00
6 BTLS/750 ML $150.00
Bodegas Oriella was founded by Jesús Díaz, a traditional producer whose wines were previously featured in an Opimian offering. The bodega still makes use of 17 huge “tinajas”, traditional earthenware jars set into the vast cellar, dug into the earth below the vineyard. The deep soil allows vine roots to penetrate to great depth seeking the nutrients which strengthen the flavour of the fruit. After hand-picking, most of the grapes were destemmed while some bunches went straight into the press. After ageing for a year in American oak, delicate aromas of vanilla mingle with toast and red fruits. Complex, red berry flavours are enhanced by balanced tannins. M7 D8
5199
BOADA TEMPRANILLO CRIANZA, DO RIBERA DEL DUERO, 2004, GRUPO YLLERA $27.33
6 BTLS/750 ML $164.00
The sixth generation of the Yllera family joined talented Rioja winemaker, Ramón Martínez, to develop the old Yllera vineyards in Rueda and Ribera del Duero. Exhaustive selection of the best clones has raised the winery’s reputation, particularly the reds from vines grown at Boada de Roa, to produce a fruity Tempranillo with a touch of barrel ageing to soften the wine for easy drinking. The nose is fresh and fruity with aromas of redcurrants and raspberries and a hint of sweet cloves. Mediumbodied with no hard tannins, the flavour expresses black cherries, spiced plums and crushed fruit. M8 D8
5200
EL LINZE, VINO DE LA TIERRA DE CASTILLA, 2007, BODEGAS EL LINZE $28.67
6 BTLS/750 ML $172.00
This truly remarkable wine is from a bodega which opened in 2006. It is already clear that every element has combined to create something truly memorable. The wine is the brainchild of three people, a chef, a wine journalist and a wine scientist. A blend of Syrah with the local Tinto Velasco, it is attractive, a deep garnet red with good depth. The nose is intense and clean with noticeable aromas of fruit and vanilla reflected in the mouth, where the fruit mixes with oak nuances providing harmony to balance and persistence. M8 D8
SPAIN & ITALY REVISITED SPAIN >>
Traditional Spanish red from past masters of the art Grape Variety
Tinta del País [Tempranillo]
Aroma
Red berries, fresh strawberry leaf and hints of spice
Taste
Rich and robust, structured, ripe mulberry flavour
Serve
18° - 20° C
Evolution
Well on the way to maturity, but still lively, will develop up to two years
Ideal with
Braised pork loin cutlets with thyme-lemon sauce
A new estate owned by the famous winemaker Jesús Díaz Grape Variety
Tempranillo
Aroma
Dark chocolate, vanilla, cherry and raspberry with coffee and spice notes
Taste
Medium-bodied with flavours of red fruit and sweet, new oak
Serve
14° - 18° C
Evolution
A great wine when young, it will age well
Ideal with
Spicy lamb stew with parsnip and potato mash
Fresh, fruity, 100% Tempranillo Grape Variety
Tempranillo
Aroma
Ripe plums, cherries, liquorice, dried fruits
Taste
Soft structure, round and persistent with emphatic tannins
Serve
18° C
Evolution
Close to perfect now, it can go on for two to three years
Ideal with
Broiled ham steaks with rhubarb chutney
A modern style classic with a cartload of fresh fruit Grape Variety
Syrah, Tinto Velasco
Aroma
Red fruits and raspberries with a hint of truffles and rain-dampened earth
Taste
Full-bodied, well-balanced acidity, good structure, long finish – complete!
Serve
16° - 18° C
Evolution
Soft entry and abundant fruit make it lovely now, it will develop six months to two years
Ideal with
Pasta, roast duck with port-garlic sauce
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
21
5201
TORINOS, VINO DE LA TIERRA DE CASTILLA Y LEÓN, 2004, BODEGAS TORINOS $35.50
6 BTLS/750 ML $213.00
This wine was made for the Torinos family by César Muñoz, one of Spain’s top winemakers. César is truly at home with winemaking along the stony riverbed of the Ribera del Duero. His legacy is the wines that have broken the mould by their easy style that makes them ready to enjoy while young. This has a layered structure built on massed fruit finding harmony with grainy tannins in a frame of ample cassis and red cherry fruit. The colour is close to black, rich and thick, creating the platform on which layered fruit can fill the palate. M7 D8
5202
SPIGA, DO RIBERA DEL DUERO, 2005, BODEGAS O. FOURNIER $36.00
6 BTLS/750 ML $216.00
This is a top wine from the great winemaking dynasty created by the Ortega Fournier family, vineyard owners in Spain, Argentina and Chile. Numbering Vodaphone, JP Morgan, BP and BMW among its partners, Fournier’s wines are all good enough to write home about. This example, from Fournier’s El Pinar estate planted in 1948 with Tempranillo and Merlot, is special. Full-bodied, it is elegant with a deep aroma showing outstanding hints of spice, cocoa, vanilla and cedar wood. In the mouth there is a clear aroma of mature fruit that complements the powerful and structured palate with well-rounded tannin closing with complexity on the long finish. M7 D7
Expressive, listening to the shouting characteristics of the grape Grape Variety
Tempranillo
Aroma
Dominated by ripe, dark fruit, sloes and brambles with some woodland berries
Taste
A no holds barred Tempranillo which has improved with some bottle age
Serve
18° C
Evolution
Drink now to 2014
Ideal with
Grilled porterhouse steaks with thyme and baked potato skins
The roar of cannons from Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” in a bottle Grape Variety
Tinta del País (Tempranillo)
Aroma
Complex, spicy overtones on well-balanced wood, vanilla, cooked fruit and cinnamon
Taste
Concentrated, velvety, red berries and plums linger on the palate
Serve
18° C
Evolution
Potential to evolve in bottle, drink through 2012
Ideal with
Duck breast with fennel and rosemary and a black pepper-currant sauce
Italy
Il Sodero Di Mora
22
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 190
SPAIN & ITALY REVISITED SPAIN >> ITALY >>
5203
GRETOLE CHARDONNAY, IGT SICILIA, 2008, TENUTE GRETOLE $23.00
6 BTLS/750 ML $138.00
Sicily has a winemaking history reaching back more than four thousand years, but it was the advent of refrigeration that brought improved quality. On the Gretole estate the soil is light, deep, free-draining and characterized as semidry. Capturing the best elements of the Chardonnay required chilled fermentation in stainless steel tanks which preserved the purity of the grape allowing crisp, fresh flavours to radiate through the glass. Vigorous, balanced and fruit-driven the wine brings memories of eating grapes straight off the vine. [00] M8 D9
5204
IL SODERO, IGT MAREMMA TOSCANA, 2007, TENUTA MORAIA $26.33
6 BTLS/750 ML $158.00
A rich blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, it was released for the first time with the 2005 vintage. As the estate was ploughed in preparation for the planting of the vines, a huge rock came to the surface with the word “Sodero” carved into its exterior. Today that rock has become a symbol following the Roman legend, “Dati cæsari quod cæsari es” - “Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s.” The vineyard is merely 14 acres, but it produces a wine with a deep, ruby colour and a sharp, fruity aroma with hints of pepper and liquorice. Warm in the mouth, smooth and slightly tannic, it is a well-balanced, finished wine. M7 D7
5205
REGALE, DOCG CHIANTI CLASSICO, 2007, AZ. AGR. LA SALA $31.00
6 BTLS/750 ML $186.00
From a lovely estate in San Casciano, this is probably the best village in the south of the Classico rectangle. In the XIXth Century the estate was owned by the Medici family, but today Laura Baronti, with her partner oenologist Gabriella Tani, produces wines in the peaceful Tuscan environment of immense beauty. A red, ruby hue with clarity and viscosity are marks showing its quality. The nose is persistent with evident primary aromas of red fruits bound to notes of vanilla, violets and spice. In the mouth, the refined structure is accompanied by oak integrated with mature fruit. M8 D8
5206
CAMPO ALL‘ALBERO, IGT COLLI DELLA TOSCANA CENTRALE, 2005, AZ. AGR. LA SALA $35.67
6 BTLS/750 ML $214.00
Produced within the Chianti Classico zone, but using a mix of grapes from outside the rigid regulation of the denomination, winemaker, Gabriella Tani, restricted her grape harvest to a low level to ensure that the wine reached full concentration with a developed structure. It is deep, brick red with a plumcoloured heart; the nose is forward with smoke-edged aromas of cherries, raspberries and hints of plums and vanilla. Medium-bodied and fruit-driven with crunchy black cherry flavours, the balanced structure leads to a clean and textured finish. M7 D8
SPAIN & ITALY REVISITED ITALY
Ideal for members who like youthful wines Grape Variety
Chardonnay, Insolia
Aroma
Rich, ripe green apple aromas with hints of macadamia nuts and honey
Taste
Fresh acidity, silky smooth, light, no angularity, a beautiful finish
Serve
9° C
Evolution
Tasting great now
Ideal with
Steamed flaked white fish and potato gratin
Profoundly concentrated from a fine Tuscan terroir Grape Variety
Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon
Aroma
Perceptible presence of black fruits, particularly blackberries and dark plums
Taste
Solid structure with softening tannins add complexity to good length and a persistent finish
Serve
18° C
Evolution
Already softening, drink 2010 - 2014
Ideal with
Red meat, pasta with rich sauces
Cherries and spice and all things nice Grape Variety
Sangiovese
Aroma
Ripe cherries and spices
Taste
Soft, well-rounded palate with good texture and length
Serve
15° - 18° C
Evolution
Great vintage, good now but it will be better as it matures
Ideal with
Grilled rib-eye steaks with mushroom salsa butter
Tuscan aristocrat in a marriage made with French grapes Grape Variety
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese
Aroma
Ripe, rich, black cherry fruit
Taste
Smooth tannins balanced by clean notes of blackberries, cherries and a swirl of cedar smoke
Serve
18° C
Evolution
Maturing well, smooth with still some way to go, drink now to 2015
Ideal with
Pan-fried haunch of wild boar with tomatoes and beans
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
23
COUPON PROGRAMS
WINE PROGRAMS
Refer a new member, and upon joining, the new member will receive a Free Case Coupon and you will receive a Referral Case Coupon.
OPIMIAN SELECT
WWW.OPIM.CA or 800-361-9421 NEW MEMBERS With your valid Free Case Coupon, choose one of the 6 bottle cases listed below, with the order of any other case on the same Cellar Offering (excluding Opimian Select and Founders’ Choice). REFERRING MEMBERS With your valid Referral Case Coupon, choose one of the 6 bottle cases listed below, with the order of any other case on the same Cellar Offering (excluding Opimian Select and Founders’ Choice) OR Redeem your valid Referral Case Coupon for a Wine Credit (based on tenure) and apply against a case of your choice, with the order of any other case on the same Cellar Offering (excluding Opimian Select and Founders’ Choice).
FOUNDERS’ CHOICE
Receive one premium wine (6 bottles) from Opimian’s most trusted suppliers.
CHARDONNAY, STONE VALLEY, 2008 Coupon
Receive a mixed case (6 bottles) from a region’s most representative wines from every offering. This is a great way to sample the many styles, grape varietals, and terroir from the world’s best wine-producing regions.
A Collection of Premium Wines
YOUR FREE CASE CHOICES FOR THIS CELLAR OFFERING
5156
A Selection of our Wines
Every Founders’ Choice selection features a dedicated back label and we provide a detailed description of each wine region, terroir, winemaking style, grape type, and food match.
6 BTLS/750 ML
Packaged in cases of 6, this is the same wine as lot 5158, available only with the coupon as explained above.
The Founders’ Choice feature supplier is Wente Vineyards.
5157 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, STONE VALLEY, 2007
opim.ca Coupon
6 BTLS/750 ML
Packaged in cases of 6, this is the same wine as lot 5159, available only with the coupon as explained above.
These wines are not available on the Cellar Offering and can only be ordered through reserving on these programs. For an application, please visit our website, www.opim.ca, “Downloads” section OR call us at 800-361-9421.
CONDITIONS OF PURCHASE FOR CELLAR OFFERING 190
• Bottle prices are for reference only. All orders are by the case, with no minimum nor maximum required.
• 4 ways to order: Online: www.opim.ca Email at: opim@opim.ca Phone: 800-361-9421 Fax: 514-481-9699
• Last day to order for this Cellar Offering: July 6, 2009
• A valid 2009 membership card is required to order and pick up.
• Expected arrivals at Canadian Port: End of October, 2009. Arrival dates at liquor boards depend on their distances from port of entry.
• Methods of Payment: Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or by cheque made out to Opimian in Trust.
• Release dates: Dependent upon actual arrival dates, and processing time required by each liquor board. • Your order status: Updated weekly at www.opim.ca.
SYMBOLS
Members’ Choice
White
Drink this year
Red
Enjoyable now; will develop 6 months-2 years
This symbol denotes wines most ordered by Opimian members. These are consistently popular with our membership at large.
Opimian Suggests
Rosé
Heavy oak
Medium concentration
Light in body
Medium oak
Light oak
Fewer than 100 cs available
Extremely limited quantities
Very limited quantities
Limited quantities
Degrees of Maturity (M) (Scale of 1-10) 1 = lay down 10 = fully mature Degrees of Drinkability (D) (Scale of 1-10) 1 = needs time 10 = ready to drink Prices include all applicable federal and provincial mark ups and taxes, including G.S.T & H.S.T #R 105 233 217 • Q.S.T #1000640430
Appeared in the C183 Select Cases (2008 Season)
To help novice members, this symbol is a guide to wines that are suitable for starting a cellar, and/or for drinking within two years of delivery.
Wine meant for laying down
Sparkling
Great concentration
Medal Winner
Sweetness scale
gms/litre
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
0-3 4-6 7 - 12 13 - 20 21 - 34 35 - 50 51 - 74 75 - 100 101 - 139 140 - 179 180 >
Examples Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, many reds Some New World Varietals, some reds Champagne, Sparklers, Rosés, few reds Mosel, some Alsace, Anjou Semi-sweet Bordeaux, some sherry Kabinett German, Late Harvest, Alsace, dry White Port Spätlese German, Sweet Loire, Port, Dessert Muscat Auslese, Beerenauslese Ice Wines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port Ice Wines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port Speciality sweet wines, Trockenbeerenauslese
#420 - 5165 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, QC, H4A 1T6 T: 514-483-5551 or 800-361-9421 F: 514-481-9699 opim@opim.ca www.opim.ca