CELLAR 229 MANITOBA
Order by December 29, 2014
Alsace, Argentina and Chile
ORDERING MADE EASY! WHAT TO ORDER Read the description or use the profile chart for each wine to help you make your selections. The profile chart features a variety of symbols; consult the legend below to discover which symbols best suit your palate. THERE ARE FIVE WAYS TO ORDER • Order online. Go to opim.ca , sign in and select Order Wine - Show Details or Quick Order Wine. • Email opim@opim.ca with your selection. • Call 1-800-361-9421. • Fax your order to 514-481-9699. • Mail your order in the envelope provided. THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO REDEEM YOUR COUPON From the same Cellar Offering… • Order a case of wine and choose your free case from the coupon wines listed on the back cover. OR • Order two cases of wine and receive $75 off your order. Restrictions: Coupons are non-transferrable and cannot be exchanged for cash. See coupon for full details Exclusions: Opimian Select and Founders’ Choice Programs. DELIVERY It takes time! The wines on this Cellar Offering are not yet in Canada. When the wine arrives at your local liquor store or distribution center, you will receive a Pick Up Notice with the specified date (the Release Date) and your pick up location. You can follow the status of your shipment at opim.ca. Expected arrival at a Canadian Port is mid-April 2015. Release dates are dependent upon actual arrival dates, distance from port of entry to liquor board, and processing time required by each liquor board. LET US HELP YOU! Contact us at 1-800-361-9421 or email us at opim@opim.ca “The cover photo features the entrance to our tasting room or “caveau”. The yellow barrels are quite uncommon in Alsace. Yellow has always been the Cooperative’s colour; it is part of our identity and carries through to the wine labels! Imagine yourself opening the door to our “caveau” when you read about our wines in the Opimian cellar offering. Discover who we are, learn about our philosophy, and of course, discover our unique range of wines.”
CONDITIONS OF PURCHASE • Methods of Payment: Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or by cheque payable to Opimian. • Prices include all applicable federal and provincial mark ups and taxes, including GST/HST #105 233 217 and QST #1000640430. • A valid 2014 membership card is required to order and pick up. • Bottle prices are for reference only. All orders are by the case, with no minimum required. • Last day to order from this Cellar Offering: December 29, 2014.
– Dominique Soller, General Manager, Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr
LEGEND Members’ Choice
White
Aroma
Drink this year
Red
Taste
Enjoyable now; will develop 6 months-2 years
Serving temperature
Rosé
Opimian Suggests Wine meant for laying down
Ideal with
Sparkling
Bottle size Great concentration Heavy oak
Number of bottles in case Medium concentration
Light in body
Medium oak
Light oak
Less than 100 cases available Very limited quantities
Extremely 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
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OPIMIAN CELLAR CELLIEROFFERING 209 229
Medal Winner
This symbol denotes wines most ordered by Opimian members. These are consistently popular with our membership at large.
Appeared in the C221 Select Cases (2014 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.
Sweetness scale gms/litre 00 0-3 01 4-6 02 7 - 12 03 13 - 20 04 21 - 34 05 35 - 50 06 51 - 74 07 75 - 100 08 101 - 139 09 140 - 179 10 180 >
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 Spätlese German, Sweet Loire, Port, Dessert Muscat Auslese, Beerenauslese Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port Speciality sweet wines, Trockenbeerenauslese
CELLAR OFFERING 229 Alsace, Argentina and Chile
Opimian’s Wine Consultant Jane Masters MW is a graduate of Bordeaux’s famous Institut d’Oenologie and was elected to the Institute of Masters of Wine in 1997. Fluent in French and English, Jane is currently a member of the Council of the Institute of Masters of Wine, regularly speaks at industry seminars and is a Panel Chair for the International Wine Challenge.
Unusually long and narrow, Chile stretches from north to south 4,300 kilometres, yet it averages a mere 177 kilometres in width. Chile had no native grape vines of any kind, and so the first vitis vinifera vines were brought from Spain by missionaries and settlers. French grape varieties were introduced in the 1850s. Chile’s Central Valley was a dream place to grow grapes; warm, sunny summers with little rainfall allowed for perfect ripening of the grapes. While the rest of the world was plagued by the phylloxera louse, Chile remained unaffected due to its physical isolation thanks to the Pacific Ocean, Andes Mountains, Atacama Desert and Patagonian ice fields that surround it. Moreover, the Andes Mountains, never far away on the landscape, provided water for the parched vines as the winter snow-caps melted. The Echeverría and Ossa families both established their wineries at this time, in Molina and Peumo respectively. More recently, Chilean winemakers have been pushing out into more marginal climates. The cool region of Casablanca, east of Santiago and close to the coast, is where Thierry Villard chose to create the first boutique winery in Chile 25 years ago. The region has subsequently become renowned for top quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A mere hop and skip from Santiago across the Andes Mountains (ok it’s a bit more than that; the Aconcagua peak is 6.962 metres high, but it looks close on the map) lays the city of Mendoza. The province of Mendoza is home to the majority of Argentina’s vineyards. Viticulture is characterized by high altitudes and semi-desert conditions. The country made Malbec an international phenomenon and in this cellar offering we have examples produced by Mauricio Lorca, born and raised Argentinean, and José Manuel Ortega, of Spanish origin, who fell in love with Argentina and wine; he established the O. Fournier winery in 2000. Another region strongly influenced by the effect of mountains, but this time the Vosges range, is Alsace in the north east corner of France. The region is one of the sunniest and driest in France thanks to the protection afforded by the Vosges Mountains to the west. The ancient vineyards lie on the flanks of the mountains facing east towards the morning sun, on a diverse range of soils. The village of Hunawihr lies in the heart of the region with the famous Grand Cru Rosacker next to it. The Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr was established by vine-growers in the 1950s and is today regarded as one of the top cooperatives in France, producing mainly white wines from aromatic grapes with poise and finesse.
Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr p. 4
Bodegas y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca p. 8
Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier Argentina p. 12
Viña Echeverría p. 15
Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier Chile p. 19
Villard Estate p. 21
Viña La Rosa p. 23
MANITOBA
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Alsace
Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr
7858
Crémant d’Alsace, Calixte Brut, Cuvée Reservée, AOC Crémant d’Alsace, NV
$132.00
Sparkling wines have been made in the Alsace region of France since the 1900s with the designation Crémant d’Alsace becoming an official appellation in 1976. Produced from grape varieties grown in the region, the grapes are picked by hand and the wine made using the traditional method as is used in Champagne. After an initial fermentation in tank, the wine undergoes a second fermentation in bottle so that the carbon dioxide gas, naturally produced by the yeast, is captured giving the wine its fizz. The Calixte Brut was produced from Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Fresh fruits and a yeasty characteristic are detected on the nose with a balanced, crisp palate.
7859
Crémant d’Alsace, Calixte Brut, Chardonnay, AOC Crémant d’Alsace, NV
$22.00
$22.83
Produced in a similar way as the Crémant d’Alsace described above, but from 100% Chardonnay grapes, it is elegant with slightly more intense fresh fruits, good acidity and a long finish. The mousse is fine and persistent.
Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris Yeasty, bready Soft, balanced, fine mousse, [02] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Alsatian tarte flambée
Chardonnay Melons, pears, bread Pears, lemon, [02] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9
$137.00
Spring rolls with spicy sweet chili sauce
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OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
alsace Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr >>
The Alsace region, in the northeast corner of France, borders Germany. The Rhine River to the east of the region creates a natural physical boundary between the two countries. The Vosges Mountains to the west protect the region from wind and rain, conferring a climate of bright blue skies; it is one of the sunniest regions in France with low annual rainfall. The vineyards are at home on the lower slopes between 180 and 360 metres facing east, towards the morning sun. The little village of Hunawihr sits in the heart of the Alsace region with the Grand Cru Rosacker at its side. The Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr was established in 1954 by a group of vine-growers and is recognized by La Revue du Vin de France as one of France’s leading cooperatives. The wines are made for Opimian by Nicolas Garde with Dominique Soller as General Manager. Both are dedicated to Opimian and regularly visit Canada for tasting events with members to share their passion for their terroir and their wines.
The Grand Cru Rosacker spreads over steep slopes close to the village of Hunawihr. It owes its name to the wild roses which grew in abundance around the edge of the vineyard.
7860 $24.33
$146.00
7861 $19.17
$115.00
Pinot Noir, 2013, AOC Alsace, Médaille d’Argent Paris Medium intensity, bright ruby colour, this award-winning Pinot Noir has appealing red cherries, cranberries and raspberry aromas. Soft and light on the palate, it is very approachable. Alsace is predominantly known for its white wines; however it has a history of red wine production that dates back to the Middle Ages. Over 40 red grape varieties were cultivated at that time of which Pinot Noir figured most prominently.
Pinot Blanc, 2013, AOC Alsace, Médaille d’Or Paris Hunawihr’s Pinot Blanc 2013 won a gold medal in Paris. Very pale in colour, it has a lime fruit aroma. Dry, light and approachable, it has good structure and depth, and ends with a steely mineral note. The Pinot Blanc is actually a mutation of the black Pinot Noir grape and is a very old variety.
Pinot Noir Red cherries, cranberries, raspberries Red fruits 16° C 2015-2017, M8 D9 Veal stew with sautéed vegetables served with gnocchi
Pinot Blanc Lime Steely mineral, [01] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Salmon rice bowl with ginger-lime sauce
alsace Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr >>
MANITOBA
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7862
Riesling, 2013, AOC Alsace, Médaille d’Or Mâcon
$20.67
Here is another award-winning wine produced from the Riesling grape. Pale lime yellow in colour, it has aromas of apple blossom and limes. Restrained on the palate with typical Riesling acidity, the wine has great poise with the acidity perfectly balanced by the fruit and a sour lemon and lime finish.
$124.00
Riesling Apple blossom, lime Fresh lemon and lime, [01] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Thai seafood noodle salad
7863
Pinot Gris, 2013, AOC Alsace, Médaille d’Argent Paris
$25.00
Pale yellow in colour with a perfumed floral blossom aroma, it is soft with flavours of pears and nectarines. There is a residual sweetness on the palate naturally balanced by the acidity and a long, passion fruit finish. Pinot Gris is the third most widely planted variety in Alsace.
$150.00
Pinot Gris Floral, peach blossom Pear, passion fruit, [02] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 French onion soup
Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr was created in 1954 when a few winegrowers realized they could improve quality by working as a team. The Church of St. Jacques le Majeur can be seen on the extreme left.
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OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
alsace Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr >>
7864 $23.67
Gewurztraminer, Cuvée Prestige, 2013, AOC Alsace Heady exotic fruits, melons, lychees, nectarines and floral notes lead to a soft palate with fresh lemon acidity. 14 grams per litre of residual sweetness are in harmony with the acidity creating fullness on the palate.
$33.67
$202.00
7866 $37.00
$222.00
7867 $57.67
$346.00
Melons, mandarins Lemon, floral, [03] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9
$142.00
7865
Gewurztraminer
Panko-crusted chicken with curry honey mustard dipping sauce
Pinot Gris, Grand Cru Rosacker, 2013, AOC Alsace The Alsace region was very slow to come around to the notion of terroir; wines were identified and sold based on grape varieties. Yet, it has some of the most complex mixes of terroir. Vineyards sit on east-facing slopes on the foothills of the Vosges Mountains. The Grand Crus vineyards, designated in the 1980s, restrict yields which are high. The Grand Cru site of Rosacker lies on the edge of the village of Hunawihr. Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr has a mere 1.5 hectare of Pinot Gris planted in the Cru at 260 to 330 metres facing east/south east. Fresh pears, marzipan and stone fruit aromas lead to a fresh, elegant palate with flavours of quince, apricots and cream, and a soft and fine texture.
Gewurztraminer, Grand Cru Rosacker, 2013, AOC Alsace Rosacker’s calcareous, marly clay soil is rich in magnesium and is most renowned for growing fine Gewurztraminer and Riesling. Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr cultivates 1.9 hectare of Gewurztraminer in Rosacker. This wine has become the winery’s ambassador. The Gewurztraminer Grand Cru Rosacker 2013 is bright yellow in colour and intensely aromatic with passion fruit and lychees flavours. Sweet and structured, it has good firm acidity to balance the sweetness.
Gewurztraminer, Vendanges Tardives, 2012, AOC Alsace This wine is produced from late-harvested grapes. After a cool start to the summer, the months of August and September were full of sunshine and warmth, allowing Nicolas to leave the grapes on the vine until the end of October so that they slowly dehydrated and shrivelled, concentrating the sugars and the juice. The Gewurztraminer Vendanges Tardives 2012 has dried apricots and earthy aromas. Rich and sweet, honey and dried fruit flavours remain on the palate.
alsace Cave Vinicole de Hunawihr
Pinot Gris Pears, almonds Apricot, cream, [03] 6° C 2015-2017, M8 D9 Duck rillettes with apricot purée
Gewurztraminer Passion fruit, lychees Structured, aromatic, [05] 6° C 2015-2018, M7 D9 Slow-roasted pheasant breast with quince, chestnuts and mushrooms
Gewurztraminer Dried apricots, earthy Honeyed, raisins, [07] 6° C 2015-2020, M6 D9 Seared foie gras with roasted nuts, exotic fruit mousse, Munster cheese
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Argentina
Bodegas y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca Argentina has recently attracted many Valle de Uco, Mendoza an outside winemaker due to its fresh mountain air, pure snow-melt water for irrigation and the potential for growing high quality grapes, but Mauricio Lorca is a local through and through. His winery, located 15 miles southeast of the town of Mendoza, is architecturally modelled on a typical Mendoza house. Mauricio planted his vineyards located 60 miles further south in the Uco Valley at Vista Flores. They are some of the most densely planted in Argentina and are all trellised with yields kept very low.
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OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
ARGENTINA Bodegas y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca >>
7868 $16.83
$101.00
Lírico Chardonnay, 2014, Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Mendoza The Lírico Chardonnay 2014 is a bright yellow colour. Honey and earthy aromas complement pears and orange peel fruits. On the palate a more distinct passion fruit flavour emerges with a rich mid-palate and long lemon and mandarin finish. Densely planted Chardonnay vines are cultivated at Vista Flores in the Uco Valley at over 1000 metres. Production is limited to just two bottles of wine per vine. The grapes are hand-harvested the first week of March and fermented at cool temperature with no use of oak.
7869
Lírico Malbec, 2014, Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Mendoza
$16.83
Compared to O. Fournier’s Blasón de San Carlos Malbec, Mauricio has produced a more savoury wine; there is a touch of leather and tobacco on the nose that combine nicely with cooked red fruits. Quite light on the palate, it has a delicious bitter cherry finish. This is 100% pure Malbec; 30% of the wine was in oak.
$101.00
7870 $16.83
$101.00
7871 $27.67
$166.00
Chardonnay Honey, pears, orange peel Passion fruit, lemons, mandarin, [00] 6° C 2015-2017, M8 D9 Grilled octopus and celery potato salad with olive oil and lemon dressing
Malbec Savoury, touch of leather Cooked red fruits, bitter cherry 18° C 2015-2017, M8 D8 Tagliatelle alla Bolognese
Lírico Malbec–Syrah, 2014, Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Mendoza I love the combination of Malbec and Syrah, and this 60/40 blend works particularly well. Bright plum in colour, there are overt black fruits, olives, pepper and a hint of chocolate on the nose. Medium-bodied with great mid-palate weight and a more savoury edge, it is well-balanced with bitter chocolate and dark fruits on the finish. The Malbec grapes were harvested at the end of March and the Syrah grapes in early April. Like the straight Malbec, 30% of the wine was in oak.
Lorca Opalo Malbec, 2013, Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Mendoza There is no use of oak, just a pure expression of the Malbec grape. This is an altogether more concentrated wine. Deep and bright purple in colour, the nose exudes violets, blackberries, herbs and blueberries perfumes. Fine in texture with juicy blueberry flavours, it is both smooth and concentrated. For those Malbec-loving wine drinkers, this will definitely please, and for those that have not yet been part of the Malbec world phenomenon, now is the perfect opportunity to be converted.
ARGENTINA Bodegas y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca >>
Malbec, Syrah Black fruits, pepper, chocolate Savoury, bitter chocolate 18° C 2015-2018, M7 D8 Black pepper buffalo burgers with blue cheese mushrooms
Malbec Blackberries, violets, herbs Blueberries 18° C 2015-2018, M7 D9 Chili roasted butternut squash farro salad
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The architectural style of this small winery used in the past is modelled on a typical Mendoza house.
7872 $27.67
$166.00
7873 $27.50
$165.00
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Lorca Opalo Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013, Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Mendoza Herbal aromas with notes of leaf, cumin and tobacco complement black cherry flavours; more notes of tarragon and bitter cherry emerge. This is a far more restrained wine than the Malbec, with grippy tannins characteristic of the later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were picked the second week of April with very low yields, a mere one bottle per vine, and the wine fermented in tank with no use of oak. This is a great wine to go with a big, thick, juicy Argentinean steak.
Temático Reserva Viognier, 2014, Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Mendoza I was at a tasting recently when an Australian winemaker told me that as soon as he made mention of the Viognier grape variety on the label of a wine, the sales dropped through the floor, yet when people tasted the wine they loved it! I am certainly hoping that that is not going to happen in this case. The wine is delicious with pears, peaches and almond aromas, and a soft, round body on the palate; there is richness and structure while being completely dry. Toasty flavours, from the 50% fermented in French oak barrels, complement the fresh, lemony flavours to produce a complex and fully integrated wine.
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
Cabernet Sauvignon Tobacco leaf, cumin Herbal, tarragon, bitter cherry 18° C 2015-2018, M7 D8 Grilled New York striploin with chimichurri sauce
Viognier Almonds, pears Broad structure, toasty flavours, [00] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Sautéed diver scallops with celery root and citrus
ARGENTINA Bodegas y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca >>
Argentina is the main producer of Malbec in the world. The country’s varying terroirs and temperature ranges contribute to the grape variety’s notable quality.
7874 $31.17
$187.00
7875 $31.17
$187.00
Temático Reserva Malbec, 2011, Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Mendoza Another 100% Malbec produced by Mauricio Lorca, this time the wine has clearly been matured in oak (12 months in 90% French and 10% American barrels) conferring sweet coconut and vanilla which complement the violets and red fruit aromas. Elegant with a fine texture, blueberry flavours remain on the palate. It is nice to drink now, but will benefit from more cellaring time to allow the oak to integrate fully.
Temático Reserva Syrah, 2011, Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Mendoza Deep purple in colour, smoky, slate, black fruits, blackberries, and black cherries aromas lead to a rich, structured palate. This is a mouth-filling wine with juicy acidity and a long, smoky finish. 100% Syrah, the grapes were hand-harvested in the second week of April with just one kilogram of grapes picked from each vine. The wine was aged for 12 months in 80% French and 20% American oak.
ARGENTINA Bodegas y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca
Malbec Coconut, vanilla, red fruits, violet Blueberries 18° C 2015-2018, M7 D8 Slow-braised lamb shanks with Malbec wine reduction served on bed of mashed potatoes
Syrah Smoke, slate, dark fruits Black cherries, blackberries, smoky 18° C 2015-2018, M7 D9 Muscovy duck, turnips, fennel and blackberries
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O. Fournier is equipped with the latest technology and has a capacity of up to 2,800 oak barrels at constant temperature and humidity in its underground cellar. The winery was chosen as the best winery architecture in Argentina.
Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier Argentina Mendoza It is difficult to believe that the Ortega family has been making wine for less than 15 years. The family originates from the ancient town of Burgos in Spain and in 2000 established this, its first winery in Mendoza. What is even more impressive is the quality and complexity of the wines produced. José Manuel, his sister Natalia and her husband José Luis are all hands-on in now running three wineries in Mendoza, Maule-San Antonio, Chile and Ribera del Duero in Spain. There is a consistency in approach and style across the group. Argentinean-based chief winemaker José Mario Spisso spends time at each winery working closely with the winemakers. The wines are understated, yet complex and powerful with longevity. The state-of-the-art winery in San Carlos, Mendoza sits against the backdrop of the impressive Andes Mountains which provide melted snow water for irrigation and cold air to reduce the night-time temperature. Look out for the Patagonian ostrich which is identified with the O. Fournier group and which is a traditional emblem in Argentina.
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OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
ARGENTINA Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier >>
7876 $15.50
$186.00
7877 $20.33
$244.00
7878 $20.33
$244.00
Blasón de San Carlos Chardonnay, 2014, Valle de Uco, Mendoza The Blasón de San Carlos Chardonnay 2014 has aromas of stone fruits, almonds and marzipan with similar flavours on the palate. It is light to medium-bodied and wellbalanced with softness on the palate and an almond finish. Chardonnay grapes from the Eugenio Bustos region of Mendoza were harvested at the end of February and hand-sorted at the winery. The wine was slowly fermented over three weeks and subsequently aged in oak barrels for four months.
Blasón de San Carlos Malbec, 2014, Valle de Uco, Mendoza Malbec has become Argentina’s signature grape variety; it was originally brought to the country in 1868 by French agronomist Michel Aimé Pouget at the request of the then President. The variety has certainly adapted to local conditions producing smaller bunches and berries than in its home at Cahors in the southwest of France. The Blasón de San Carlos Malbec 2014 has ripe berry fruits, damsons, red cherries and a hint of aniseed on the nose. In the mouth, it is soft with juicy red fruit flavours and fresh acidity with a lively, soft, berry finish. Produced from 100% Malbec, it was aged three months in oak.
Blasón de San Carlos Tempranillo, 2014, Valle de Uco, Mendoza The Uco Valley, in the south of the province of Mendoza, is one of the most exciting wine regions in Argentina. O. Fournier, located at La Consulta within the Uco Valley, sits at around 1200 metres above sea level. The region is based on poor, stony, sandy soils with limited rainfall. Pure melted snow water from the Andes Mountains is used to quench the vines’ thirst and there is a large drop, up to 20°C, between day and night time temperatures stimulating the vines to produce maximum flavours and phenolics. This Tempranillo is deep in colour with intense, smoky aromas that mingle with black fruits and herbs. The palate is rich and structured with a smoky blackcurrant finish.
ARGENTINA Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier >>
Chardonnay Almonds, stone fruits Pears, stone fruits, [00] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Spinach and pepper jack stuffed chicken
Malbec Damsons, red cherries, aniseed Red berry fruits 18° C 2015-2017, M8 D9 Calzones
Tempranillo Cassis, smoke Black fruits, juicy acidity 18° C 2015-2017, M8 D9 Papas con chorizo – thick stew of potatoes and spicy sausage
The winery has been designed to work with gravity. It has conical-shaped stainless steel vats, epoxy-lined cement vats and French oak fermentation tanks.
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7879 $38.33
$230.00
7880 $71.50
$429.00
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Finca Sophia Red Blend, 2011, Uco Valley, Mendoza This wine is elegant with mellow balsamic aromas, tarragon and raspberries. On the palate it is soft and fine in texture with flavours of red fruits, cranberries, raspberries and red berry acidity; it ends with a lingering spicy, cedary characteristic. Produced from a blend of 40% Tempranillo, 40% Malbec, 10% Merlot and 10% Syrah, the grapes were picked between April 5th and April 20th, 2011. After fermentation in stainless steel tanks the wine was left to macerate on the skins for a total of 28 days. It was subsequently matured in 80% French and 20% American oak barrels for 12 months, 50% new and 50% one year old. Having recently retasted the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 vintages offered previously, these wines all displayed the same elegance and finesse with a freshness that remains as the wine develops in bottle.
Alfa Crux Malbec, 2011, Valle de Uco, Mendoza One of my favourite wines in the tasting, it is a dense, vibrant, ruby red colour. On the nose it has started to show mellow tertiary characteristics; vanilla combined with meaty aromas, forest fruits and smoke. The palate is elegant (despite its 15% alcohol, which is dangerously unnoticeable) with a certain minerality and depth. Red fruit flavours combine with slate; it is both savoury and fruity at the same time. Tasting previous vintages, as the Alfa Crux Malbec develops it has delicious and distinct smoky treacle elements while remaining fresh and concentrated. Having raved about the 2010 last year, looking back at my notes, I scored the 2011 even higher! Produced from 100% Malbec grown at La Consulta, the grapes were handpicked in April, 2011. After five days cold maceration, the wine was fermented and left on skins for 28 days. It was aged for 20 months in new oak barrels, 80% French and 20% American, producing a perfectly balanced, integrated wine. Named after the brightest star in the Southern Cross, this wine is a star in its own right!
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
Tempranillo, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah Balsamic, tarragon, raspberry Raspberries, cranberries, cedar 18° C 2015-2020, M6 D9 Herbed lamb shoulder chops with mushroom balsamic reduction
Malbec Mellow, complex, vanilla, meaty, fruit Savoury fruits, slate 18° C 2015-2020, M6 D9 Duck breast with celeriac purée, pomegranate gastrique and Brussel sprout ragout
The O. Fournier wine shop is located in the Visitor Center situated at the Santa Sofia Estate.
ARGENTINA Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier
“We don´t measure time in months or years, we measure time in generations… we are here for the long run. Our relationships with our customers are built on an unshakeable foundation of confidence, of respect, of friendship. ” - Roberto Echeverría
Chile
Viña Echeverría Casa Nueva Molina, Curicó Valley The Echeverría family moved to Chile from Spain’s Basque country in 1740. The winery dates back to the early 1900s and is located on the outskirts of the town of Molina in the Curicó Valley, one of Chile’s oldest wine regions. The Curicó Valley region has a vast array of soil conditions and solar exposures making it suitable for a number of grape varieties. The valley benefits from long sunshine days, little rain during the growing season and water from the melted snow-caps. Chile is one of the few countries in the world not to succumb to the phylloxera louse and so grafting onto rootstocks is not an imperative. Echeverría’s vineyards, around the town of Molina, are ungrafted and were propagated from selected pre-phylloxera vines imported from Bordeaux in the 19th century; they are farmed organically. The Echeverría family has been exporting their wines since the early 1990s and producing the Casa Nueva range of wines exclusively for Opimian since 1999.
CHILE Viña Echeverría >>
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7881 $17.00
$102.00
Casa Nueva Moscato Frizzante, 2014, Curicó Valley Pale yellow in colour, the Moscato has a delicate, fresh lemon aroma. Soft and sweet on the palate, more floral flavours typical of the Moscatel grape emerge with nice balance between the sweetness, acidity and slight spritz. It ends with a lingering lemon sherbet flavour. The grapes were handpicked and gently fermented at low temperature. A second fermentation in pressurized tanks allowed the capture of the delicate “frizzante” spritz with some residual sweetness.
7882
Casa Nueva Selection Carmenère, 2013, Curicó Valley
$11.17
Deep in colour with a spicy incense nose, black pepper and a hint of violets, the Casa Nueva Selection Carmenère has dark blackberry fruit and good balance. Carmenère grapes from ungrafted vines were handpicked in May 2013. After fermentation in stainless steel, the wine was left to macerate for five days on skins.
$134.00
7883 $13.75
$165.00
16
Moscatel Fresh lemons Sweet, floral, well-balanced, [05] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Szechuan coated crispy calamari, pavlova
Carmenère Incense, spices, black pepper, violets Medium-bodied, blackberries 18° C 2015-2017, M8 D9 Eggplant parmesan
Casa Nueva Sauvignon Blanc Reserva, 2014, Curicó Valley Having skipped the difficult 2013 vintage, it is great to see the Casa Nueva Sauvignon Blanc Reserva is back on track with the 2014. Pale in colour, it has nice varietal aromas of gooseberries and petrol. With a soft attack on the palate, it is clean with delicious lime, gooseberry and tangerine flavours. The grapes were handpicked in the cool early hours in March. After de-stemming and crushing, the fresh, chilled grape juice was left to decant in tank for 24 to 36 hours. The clear racked juice was then slowly fermented at low temperature.
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
Sauvignon Blanc Gooseberry, limes Fresh limes, broad, balanced acidity, [00] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Artichokes, parmesan and Swiss cheese in phyllo pastry with Thai chili sauce and fresh cilantro salsa
CHILE Viña Echeverría >>
All the grapes at Viña Echeverría’s vineyards in Molina, Curicó Valley, are harvested by hand and carried in small 10 kg boxes to the winery for selection and processing.
7884 $13.75
$165.00
7885 $13.83
$166.00
7886 $17.83
$107.00
Casa Nueva Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, 2013, Curicó Valley Deep ruby in colour, the Casa Nueva Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2013 was a little understated at the time of tasting with notes of blackcurrants, slate and violets. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great pure acidity, blackcurrant and forest fruit flavours, and medium body. After fermentation at 25°C to 28°C and malolactic fermentation, 50% of the wine was aged in barrels for three months.
Casa Nueva Carmenère Reserva, 2013, Curicó Valley Green pepper, cumin and verbena characterize the Casa Nueva Carmenère Reserva 2013; a more herbal aroma than the fruity and spicy Cornellana wines. On the palate it is rich and succulent with a touch of residual sweetness and ripe, dark berry flavours. The grapes were picked by hand at the end of the season in May 2013 and carried directly to the winery in small 18 kilogram crates. After fermentation, the wine was aged in oak for three months.
Casa Nueva Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva, 2012, Curicó Valley Casa Nueva wines tend to be more restrained and savoury rather than overtly fruity, and this Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2012 is no exception. The nose remains a little shy with aromas of cassis and petrol in the background. On the palate it is structured and firm with solid weight, pronounced acidity and fresh blackcurrant flavours. This wine will benefit from more time in bottle and will mellow. After extended maceration on skins, the wine was racked into and matured in French and American oak barrels for 12 months.
CHILE Viña Echeverría >>
Cabernet Sauvignon Blackcurrants, slate, violets Forest fruits, blackcurrants 18° C 2015-2017, M8 D9 Braised short ribs with smoked paprika jus
Carmenère Green pepper, cumin, verbena Dark berry fruits, succulent, rich 18° C 2015-2018, M7 D9 Bison chili
Cabernet Sauvignon Cassis, mineral Firm, structured, blackcurrant flavours 18° C 2015-2022, M6 D7 Fillet of beef stacked with wild mushrooms and foie gras, potato rosti and baby root vegetables
MANITOBA
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7887 $17.67
$106.00
7888 $16.50
$99.00
18
Casa Nueva Syrah/Carmenère Gran Reserva, 2011, Central Valley
Syrah, Carmenère
A complex wine starting to show some nice development, it is intense in colour while the bouquet includes notes of rich spices, dark fruits and blackberries. Concentrated on the palate, it is succulent with good mid-palate weight and great balance. A blend of 65% Syrah, which brings dark fruit flavours and weight, with 35% Carmenère, the two complement one another perfectly. Each variety was harvested and vinified separately then blended and matured in French and American oak barrels for 12 months. Delicious now, it will remain at its optimum for several years.
Rich, spice, dark fruits
Propuesta by Roberto Ignacio Echeverría, 2012, Maipo Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec, Petit Syrah
This is a new wine created by Roberto Ignacio Echeverría especially with Opimian members in mind. The blend is marked by the 85% Cabernet Sauvignon which brings an intense blackcurrant, cassis and coal characteristic. 5% Carmenère, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Syrah give the wine a refined, silky texture on the palate, a fresh elegant style and good acidity. The grapes from the Maipo Valley further north of Curicó towards Santiago were used together with grapes from Molina. Each variety was handpicked at optimum ripeness and the wine matured in French and American oak barrels for eight months.
Intense blackcurrants, cassis, coal
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
Blackberries, concentrated, succulent 18° C 2015-2020, M6 D9 Roasted venison with red wine sauce, sautéed Savoy cabbage and crispy paysanne potatoes
Silky texture, elegant finish 18° C 2015-2018, M7 D8 Rack of lamb with fennel gratin and blackcurrant demi-glace Viña Echeverría is proud to be part of the Wines of Chile Sustainability Program, helping Chilean wineries to be environmentally friendly, socially equitable, and economically viable.
CHILE Viña Echeverría
Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier Chile Maule-San Antonio
When José Manuel Ortega came to Chile in 2007, he spent three years visiting and reconnoitring the country. He finally settled on San Antonio for white wines and the Maule Valley for reds, drawn by the old dry-farmed bush vines he found there. Plots of Cabernet Franc planted in 1890 and 60 year old Carignan vines produce low yields of immensely concentrated, flavoursome grapes. The Maule Valley is between 250 and 400 kilometres south of Santiago, its distance probably one of the reasons it fell out of fashion and was overlooked for years. The climate is warm with consistent temperatures. The wines are elegant and complex. A recent tasting of back vintages confirms the long term cellaring potential of the top wines and enabled me to amend the maturity and drinkability assessment of these wines.
French and American oak play an important role in the quality of the final wines whether the ageing period be three, 12 or 18 months.
CHILE Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier >>
MANITOBA
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The La Higuera vineyard extends to 136 hectares of which 41 are planted with 80 year old vines.
7890 $19.00
$114.00
7891 $37.00
$222.00
7892 $63.83
$383.00
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Blasón de San Javier Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, 2013, Valle del Maule
Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah
The Blasón de San Javier Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah 2013 is plum in colour with mellow fruit aromas combined with liquorice and red berries. Fresh, juicy red fruits spring on the palate with complexity and a tangy finish. This wine is approachable, mellow and very moreish! It is a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot and 20% Syrah grown on very old vines up to 100 years old. The grapes were picked by hand, sorted at the winery, and crushed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine was then matured three months in French oak barrels.
Mellow, red berries, liquorice
Finca La Higuera Red Blend, 2013, Valle del Maule
Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan
Recent tastings of the Finca La Higuera Red Blend 2009 and 2010 have forced me to amend the maturity and drinking assessment of these wines. Both are showing great breeding, drinking nicely now with the potential to go on for another three to five years. The 2013 is intense, dense and complex with aromas of forest fruits, vanilla and herbs. The palate is succulent with liquorice and fruit layered with fine texture and great depth. High in alcohol with 15%, yet this is not obvious and is perfectly balanced. The wine was matured for 12 months in new and used French oak barrels, and was bottled un-fined and unfiltered; it may throw a deposit over time.
Alfa Centauri Cabernet Franc Carignan, 2012, Valle del Maule Century old bush vines are what attracted José Manuel Ortega to the Maule region. Cabernet Franc from ungrafted, unirrigated bush vines planted in 1890 on alluvial silty soils was blended with 10% Carignan grown on 60 year old vines on sandier soils. All the grapes were picked by hand and sorted at the winery. After 28 days fermentation and maceration, the wine was matured for 18 months in French oak barrels. The result is a restrained wine with a complex, spicy and fruit bouquet. More savoury on the palate with balsamic flavours, good acidity and great balance, it will continue to develop in bottle. The top wine from each of O. Fournier’s three wineries is named after a constellation; Alfa Centauri, being the brightest star in the constellation of Centaurus, is not visible to observers at latitude greater than about 25° north. OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
Juicy red fruits 18° C 2015-2020, M6 D9 Beef short rib with beetroot, horseradish and caramelized fennel
Complex, forest fruits, herbs, vanilla Liquorice, refined 18° C 2015-2020, M6 D8 Roast turkey with fennel, sausage and rice stuffing
Cabernet Franc, Carignan Spice, fruits, savoury Firm, balsamic flavours 18° C 2016-2025, M6 D6 Bacon-wrapped porcini-crusted beef tenderloin topped with fiddlehead ferns
CHILE Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier
One gets the impression that Thierry Villard likes to make his own life more difficult than it needs to be. 25 years ago he was one of the pioneers of the then virtually unknown Casablanca region where the proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the cool marginal climate pose serious risk of spring frosts (virtually no Chardonnay was produced in 2014) and the grapes ripen three to four weeks later than Chile’s Central Valley. Unlike most traditional Chilean vinegrowing areas, the Casablanca Valley does not benefit from the Andes Mountains water, but required digging a deep borehole for irrigation. The region is now recognized for producing high quality white wines and Pinot Noir, although there was a time when Thierry couldn’t give it away. He quips that when friends and family came to assist at harvest time he would tell them they could drink whatever and as much as they wanted…as long as it was Pinot Noir! That was until the movie Sideways came along. Thierry is determined and continues to push limits. Today, he has some of the most densely planted vineyards in the Casablanca Valley. Steep slopes are planted with Syrah interspersed with Pinot Noir, according to the exposition to the north or west. Everything has to be done manually. His son Jean-Charles is winemaker, keen surfer and equally obsessive about quality.
Villard Estate Casablanca Valley
The grapes for the Grand Vin go through a second inspection on the selection table so that only the very best go into the production of these wines.
CHILE Villard Estate >>
MANITOBA
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7893 $18.67
$224.00
7894
Expresión Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Casablanca Valley Very pale in colour, the wine has aromas of herbs, blossom, flint, grapefruit, smoke and lime. On the palate more floral notes, gooseberry, passion fruit and green apple flavours emerge and lead to a crisp grapefruit, lemon and lime finish. After picking, the grapes underwent a cold maceration and a long, slow fermentation at low temperature. The wine was kept on its lees with regular lees stirring for four months to add extra body, then left to naturally settle. This is a delicate and complex wine at a great price.
Expresión Reserve Syrah, 2013, Casablanca Valley
$224.00
Although made from grapes grown on relatively new plantings of Syrah vines, the wine is concentrated with ripe fruits and spicy oak aromas. On the nose there are ripe blackcurrants and fresh apples with a soft, silky texture and appetizing cherry, chocolate and vanilla flavours on the palate. This is a very elegant wine with lots of appeal. Produced from 100% Syrah, all the grapes were harvested by hand. The grapes were left to macerate for a full five to eight days at low temperature prior to fermentation. After fermentation at 28°C to 30°C, the wine was matured with 65% in French and American oak barrels for seven months and the balance in tank.
7895
Expresión Reserve Pinot Noir, 2013, Casablanca Valley
$18.67
$22.00
$132.00
7896 $37.00
$222.00
22
A vibrant plum colour, the Expresión Reserve Pinot Noir has cherry fruits and almond aromas. On the palate it is juicy with ripe red berry fruits, cherries and smoke; it has fine texture. Various plots of Pinot Noir were vinified in small vats. After seven days cold maceration, the wine was fermented with daily pigeage – immersion of the skins – carried out in the traditional fashion; i.e. Charlie jumping up and down in the tank. 30% of the wine was aged in barrels for seven months.
Le Pinot Noir Grand Vin, 2013, Casablanca Valley A selection of the best plots and best barrels are used to produce Le Pinot Noir Grand Vin. Yields in the vineyards are reduced to five to six tons per hectare in order to produce wines with structure to go into the barrel. Smoky, cedary aromas complement the dark fruits, red and black cherries, and long chocolate finish. After fermentation in small vats, the wine is transferred to oak barrels for malolactic fermentation, by which time the ambient temperature is so low that often this is only completed the following spring. A mere 5,000 bottles of this wine are produced and only in the best years. Delicious and easy to drink now, it will benefit from cellaring, developing a more complex bouquet.
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
Sauvignon Blanc White blossom, lily of the valley Gooseberry, passion fruit, grapefruit, [00] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Thai green curry fish
Syrah Ripe blackcurrants, fresh apples Lip-smacking dark fruits 18° C 2015-2020, M6 D8 Grilled bison strip steaks with sweet and sour onions
Pinot Noir Cherry, almonds Ripe fruits 18° C 2015-2017, M8 D9 Grilled pork tenderloin with cauliflower purée and cherry compote
Pinot Noir Strawberries Red fruits, bitter chocolate 18° C 2015-2020, M6 D9 Grilled lamb sirloin with cocoa rub, grilled carrot mash and spring greens purée
CHILE Villard Estate
Viña La Rosa Cornellana Estate Cachapoal Valley, Rapel
Viña La Rosa in the Cachapoal Valley is the oldest familyowned winery in Chile. It was established in 1824 by Don Francisco Ignacio Ossa y Mercado and, six generations later, is run by Ismael Ossa who has the same passion for the land as his ancestors. Based in Peumo, 120 kilometres south of Santiago, the vineyards are surrounded by the Cachapoal River and the Andes Mountain range. The region benefits from a very long and even ripening season and is recognized as the epicentre of Carmenère production. Viña La Rosa has four vineyard locations. Winemaker Gonzalo Cárcamo and vineyard manager Eugenio Maffei, with the assistance of renowned terroir consultant Pedro Parra, are concluding a four year research project using satellite imaging and electromagnetic conductivity technology, to monitor each site and determine the best soils for each grape variety, in particular the Carmenère.
CHILE Viña La Rosa >>
MANITOBA
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Shoot-growing phase of Cabernet Sauvignon in the Cachapoal Valley
7898 $10.75
$129.00
7899 7910 $10.75
$129.00
COUPON
7900 $10.75
$129.00
Cornellana Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, Cachapoal Valley Very pale in colour with aromas of tropical fruits, melons, pears and gooseberries, the Cornellana Sauvignon Blanc 2014 has a soft palate with nice pear flavours, refreshing lemon and lime, and ends with crisp acidity. Produced from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes, these were grown on stony alluvial sandy loam soils and were machinepicked during the cool night hours. It is perfect with oysters or ceviche.
Sauvignon Blanc Melon, gooseberry, pears Pears, lemon and limes, [00] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Ahi tuna ceviche with toasted baguette slices
Cornellana Chardonnay, 2014, Cachapoal Valley
Chardonnay
Free case CHOICE for this Cellar Offering
White blossom, pear, lemon
The Cornellana Chardonnay is slightly deeper in colour than the Sauvignon Blanc, but more muted on the nose at the time of tasting. Aromas of pears, lemons and white blossoms are followed by a broad structure on the palate; soft and round with melon and passion fruit flavours, and refreshing acidity. After harvesting, the grapes were lightly crushed and left to macerate on skins for five to seven hours before pressing. The fermentation was carried out at low temperature over 21 days. Above average temperatures in the Cachapoal Valley during February and March meant that white varieties were picked earlier than normal in order to maintain good balance between alcohol and acidity.
Passion fruit, melon, [00]
Cornellana Rosé, 2014, Cachapoal Valley Produced from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Syrah grapes, these were harvested by machine in the third week of March. After crushing, the juice was left in contact with the skins for a full 36 hours producing a deep, bright cranberry juice colour. Aromas of strawberry leaves, red fruits and herbs lead to a soft, fresh palate with berry fruits and a zippy finish.
6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Grilled white prawn with Asian slaw and Sambal aioli
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah Strawberry leaf, red fruits Red berries, crisp finish, [00] 6° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Baby arugula salad with strawberries and goat cheese
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OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
CHILE Viña La Rosa >>
Gonzalo Cárcamo, Chief Winemaker
The Cachapoal River runs across the Peumo area, determining the mesoclimate of the region by cooling down temperatures as a result of the wind effect.
7901
Cornellana Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, 2014, Cachapoal Valley
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
7911
Free case CHOICE for this Cellar Offering
Mulberries, blackberries, chocolate
$10.75
$129.00
After the warm months of February and March, the temperatures in the Cachapoal Valley dropped allowing the red grapes to ripen more slowly while producing wines with moderate alcohol levels and ripe tannins. The grapes were harvested towards the end of March and first half of April and fermented in tank with some French oak, producing a wine with dark mulberries, chocolate and blackberry aromas. Quite light on the palate, it has good acidity.
Soft, light, bitter cherry 16° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Oven-roasted pork chops with caramelized onions and blackberry sauce
COUPON
7902 $10.75
$129.00
7903 $10.75
$129.00
Cornellana Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014, Cachapoal Valley The later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon variety was picked the second and third week of April. Vinified in the same way as the Merlot, it displays the true varietal character of Cabernet Sauvignon with blackcurrants, violets, dark fruits and slate aromas. On the palate it has a pure linear structure, with firm acidity and a nicely balanced, mouthwatering blackcurrant finish.
Cornellana Merlot, 2014, Cachapoal Valley A succulent wine brimming with dark cherry fruit aromas, it is soft on the palate with medium body and balanced acidity. The grapes were machine-harvested the last week of March and first week of April. After de-stemming and light crushing, the grapes were pumped into tanks and fermented at between 26°C and 28°C for seven days with 15 days maceration to extract the deep plum colour and flavours. A small amount of French oak was used, but the wine shows no obvious oak characteristic.
CHILE Viña La Rosa >>
Cabernet Sauvignon Dark fruits, slate, violets Blackcurrants 18° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Grilled balsamic flank steak wrap
Merlot Black cherries Soft, round 16° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Pizza Margherita
MANITOBA
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7904 $10.75
$129.00
7905 $14.92
$179.00
7906 $18.67
$112.00
7907 $18.67
$112.00
26
Cornellana Carmenère, 2014, Cachapoal Valley Peumo is considered to be the epicentre of Carmenère production in Chile. The variety ripens late and therefore needs a long season with lots of sun, warmth and no rain to be at its best. The Carmenère grapes were picked at the end of April and the first week of May. The Cornellana Carmenère 2014 is vibrant in colour with aromas of mulberries, raspberries and other forest fruits. Soft and light-bodied, it has red berries and bitter flavours with a juicy finish.
Cornellana Reserve Shiraz, 2013, Cachapoal Valley Aromas of crushed raspberries, spice, cooked cherries and jam are intense in the glass. The palate is pure with great acidity, good depth and a long red berry finish. The grapes were cultivated on colluvial soils on slopes with a mixture of clay and stones. After fermentation, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation and was matured for six months in oak.
Cornellana Barrel Reserve Chardonnay, 2013, Cachapoal Valley The Cornellana Barrel Reserve Chardonnay has a noticeably intense toasty aroma. On the palate flavours of caramel and caramelized fruits combine with those of fresh apples and passion fruit. If you like oak (and I do) you will love this wine. Chardonnay vines are cultivated on the lower stony alluvial, sandy river bed soils. The grapes were harvested by hand the second week of March 2013 with 50% of the wine matured in oak and 50% in tank.
Cornellana Barrel Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz, 2013, Cachapoal Valley Deep in colour, with intense aromas of blackcurrants, smoke and chocolate, the Cornellana Barrel Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz 2013 has vanilla, toast and bitter chocolate flavours. Nicely concentrated with good weight and substance, it is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on colluvial soils with a clay and lime matrix, and 30% Shiraz, grown on granite soils. The wine was aged for nine months in French oak.
OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 229
Carmenère Raspberries, mulberries Red berries, bitter cherry 16° C 2015-2016, M8 D9 Spaghetti with sausage meatballs, basil and peas
Shiraz Crushed raspberries, spice Red cherries, red berry acidity 16° C 2015-2018, M7 D9 Spice-braised lamb with sweet potatoes and white beans
Chardonnay Toast, fresh apples, passion fruit Caramelized fruits, [01] 8° C 2015-2018, M7 D9 Lobster ravioli with truffle mushroom cream sauce
Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz Intense blackcurrants, smoke, chocolate Vanilla, toast, chocolate 18° C 2015-2018, M7 D9 Angus beef medallions with bacon-fig sauce scented with chocolate served on risotto
CHILE Viña La Rosa >>
7908 $18.67
$112.00
7909 $20.50
$123.00
Cornellana Barrel Reserve Carmenère, 2013, Cachapoal Valley
Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc
While Peumo is the epicentre of Carmenère production, not all sites are the same. Winemaker Gonzalo Cárcamo and vineyard manager Eugenio Maffei have been mapping the vineyards in order to identify the best sites. Viña La Rosa’s estates have three soil types and it is these that are the determining factor for the best quality wines. Studies have shown that the Carmenère does best on colluvial soils; these are deep soils of clay matrix with sand and gravel below providing stable water reserves that allow the Carmenère to ripen steadily and late into the season. The grapes were picked the first half of May. The 2013 Barrel Reserve Carmenère has intense spicy aromas of black pepper, cherries, cumin, herbs and incense. Blended with 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Syrah and 2% Cabernet Franc, it is light to medium-bodied with elegant fruits, perfumed flavours and a bitter cherry finish. The wine was aged for nine months in French and American oak.
Herbs, cumin, green pepper
Cornellana Barrel Reserve Cuvée, 2013, Cachapoal Valley This is a mellow wine with a bouquet of cooked fruits, vanilla and nutmeg. Produced from a blend of 50% Carmenère, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 6% Syrah and 2% Petit Verdot, each variety was handpicked separately, at optimum ripeness, between the second week of March through to the third week in May. The wines underwent malolactic fermentation in barrels and were subsequently matured 12 months in French oak. It is vibrant on the palate with red berry flavours, balanced acidity and a red cherry finish.
Bitter cherry, burnt sugar 18° C 2015-2018, M7 D9 Lamb tenderloin with cumin-scented purée of baby carrots, pearl onions and baked shoe-string potatoes
Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot Mellow, cooked fruits, vanilla, nutmeg Red berries, red cherries 18° C 2015-2018, M7 D9 Braised duck breast with Bing cherry sauce
This diagram, representing a transversal cut of Chile’s Central Region, depicts the influence of cooling breezes moving from the sea and the mountains into the central flatlands. From the sea, these breezes travel through the Coastal Mountain Range using the riverbeds as channels. Otherwise, these breezes are stopped by the mountains, producing heavy fog during the early morning in the western slopes of the Coastal Mountain Range. Map – Courtesy of Wines of Chile
CHILE Viña La Rosa
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OUR COUPON PROGRAMS
Refer a new member, and upon
joining, both you and the new member will receive a coupon for one of two great rewards
YOUR COUPON GIVES YOU OPTIONS! 1. Order a case of wine & choose your free case from the free case choices for this Cellar Offering: Lot 7910 (See Lot 7899 on page 24) Lot 7911 (See Lot 7901 on page 25)
OUR WINE PROGRAMS OPIMIAN SELECT Taste the World!
Only Opimian gives you access to exclusive cellars from around the world. A successful innovation catered to New Members and those who are still uncertain of what to order, the Opimian Select program allows you to try a minimum of 24 wines – from every day sippers to a gourmet dinner partner – at a fixed price of $105. Sign up for Opimian Select and receive a mixed case from every Cellar Offering regardless of whether you are away, on holidays or simply forgot to place your order. Develop your palate, taste the classics from each region, discover new varietals and experience what our suppliers have to offer! Application forms are available for download at opim.ca under “Downloads”. THE SELECTION Opimian Select includes a case (6 bottles) of three to six different wines from a featured supplier on each Cellar Offering. Mostly reds with the occasional white or rosé, these wines showcase the variety of styles available through Opimian - if you happen to find a favourite wine, make note of the supplier for future Cellar Offerings! To browse past selections and tasting notes, sign in at opim.ca and click on “Opimian Select” in the left hand column. View details by clicking on each wine name or supplier.
“Opimian Select is an educational experience and, as any wine lover knows, it is essential and fun to continuously try new things.”
~ David Lawrason, Toronto Life
OR 2. Order two cases of wine & receive $75 off your order
opim.ca OR
800-361-9421
“Opimian’s philosophy is to create bonds between people through wine.”
~ Roberto Echeverría, Opimian Supplier
FOUNDERS’ CHOICE Cherish the Experience! The premium wine experience – only with Opimian!
Established in recognition of Opimian’s founders, this program offers premium wines from our most cherished suppliers – at a fixed price of $194. Each wine is specifically selected to dedicate to the spirit of Opimian. Some are hidden jewels discovered in a cellar by our Master of Wine; others are specially crafted by our suppliers with the Founders’ Choice program in mind. Application forms are available for download at opim.ca under “Downloads”. THE WINES Sign up for Founders’ Choice and receive a case (6 bottles) of premium wine from every Cellar Offering that is ready to drink and has great cellaring ability. Each wine comes with a dedicated back label and a personal message from the supplier detailing why they chose to share with us this one-of-a-kind wine. These wines are not, and will never be, on any Cellar Offering and can only be received by signing up for this program. To browse past selections and tasting notes, sign in at opim.ca and click on “Founders’ Choice” in the left hand column. Villard Estate is the Founders’ Choice feature supplier on this Cellar Offering. #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