cellar CHILE AND ARGENTINA
NT
246 Order January 13 to February 17, 2017
Ordering Made Easy 1. Select Your Wines Let yourself be inspired by our detailed descriptions or use your personal wine profile to find out which wines best suit your palate. Our custom chart also features a variety of symbols (explained below) that can guide your selection. Still unsure which wines to order? Opimian’s Wine Concierge is always available to help you make an informed choice. Contact our Wine Concierge at 1-800-361-9421 or by email at concierge@opim.ca.
Legend Grape variety Red White Rosé Sparkling Bottle size
2. Place Your Order There are five ways to order • Online: Go to opim.ca, sign in and select Order Now. • Email opim@opim.ca with your selection. • Call 1-800-361-9421 • Fax your order to 514-481-9699 • Mail your order*
Number of bottles in case
3. Let Us Handle the Rest The wines featured on this Cellar Offering are still at the producers’ wineries when you order them so it is normal that the process takes a bit of time and effort on our side.
Aroma
Expected arrival for shipments from this Cellar Offering is mid-May 2017. Release dates are dependent upon actual arrival dates, distance from port of entry to liquor board and processing time required by each liquor board.
Taste
Once the wine arrives at your local liquor store or distribution centre, you will receive a Pick Up Notice with the specified date (the Release Date) and your pick up location. You can follow the status of your shipment at all times at opim.ca.
Serving temperature
Ideal with Evolution Drink this year Will develop, drink within 2 years Meant for cellaring Concentration Light Medium Great
Conditions of Purchase • Accepted payment methods: Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or cheque payable to Opimian. • Prices include all applicable federal and provincial mark ups and taxes, including GST/HST # 105 233 217 and QST #1000640430. • A valid 2017 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: February 17, 2017. Important: no orders will be processed after this deadline. * Deadline for mailing orders: February 7, 2017. Please allow 10 days for delivery by Canada Post.
Oak Light Medium Heavy Limited quantities Limited Very limited Extremely limited Less than 100 cases available Members’ Choice Most ordered by Opimian members Opimian Suggests Starting a cellar
Medal Winner
Discovery Opimian Select 2016 – C237 M—Degree of Maturity (1-10) M1 = lay down M10 = fully mature
2
D—Degree of Drinkability (1-10) D1 = needs time D10 = ready to drink
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Sweetness scale
Grams/litre
Examples
[00]
0-3
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, many reds
[01]
4-6
Some New World varietals, some reds
[02]
7 - 12
Champagne, Sparkling, Rosés, few reds
[03]
13 - 20
Mosel, some Alsace, Anjou
[04]
21 - 34
Semi-sweet Bordeaux, some sherry
[05]
35 - 50
Kabinett German, Late Harvest, Alsace
[06]
51 - 74
Spätlese German, Sweet Loire, Port, Dessert Muscat
[07]
75 - 100
Auslese, Beerenauslese
[08]
101 - 139
Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port
[09]
140 - 179
Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port
[10]
180 >
Speciality sweet wines, Trockenbeerenauslese
cover photo — A majestic view from Mauricio Lorca’s Winery; Malbec vines surrounded by the mighty Andes. photo: steeve lemay
Chile
Cellar 246 Chile and Argentina
Separated by the Andes Mountains, Chile and Argentina are close, yet different. Chile is a long, narrow strip of a country, indeed one of the longest and narrowest countries in the world. Its widest point is just 350 kilometres from east to west. It is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Andes to the east, with the dry Atacama Desert to the north, and has no less than seven major climatic sub-types. Add to this the Andes and the Coastal ranges of mountains and there is a multitude of conditions under which vine growers farm.
Argentina
Argentina, on the other side of the Andes, is vast in comparison and is also a land of contrasts. Vineyards are cultivated at high altitude on extremely poor soils in a continental climate, usually with very low rainfall. I say usually because 2016 was a challenging year. The El Niño weather cycle led to a cool and wet spring, and April was a wash out. In 2016, winegrowers in both Chile and Argentina had to be vigilant in the vineyard, working more like their European counterparts to adapt to the conditions of the vintage, removing leaves and shoots in order to keep grapes aerated and healthy. They have risen to the challenge, producing some delicious wines. Enjoy!
Opimian’s Wine Consultant Jane Masters MW, tastes, selects and writes the commentary for each of the wines in the cellar offerings. Her aim is to find exclusive wines around the world that offer great value to Opimian members through regular visits to wine producers and trade shows. A Master of Wine since 1997 (one of 340 globally), Jane was elected as Chairman of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine in September 2016. Jane trained as a winemaker at the Bordeaux Institut d’Œnologie after a degree in Biological Chemistry and worked for UK retailer Marks & Spencer sourcing and managing the Wine & Drinks Category for 13 years.
Featured Villard Fine Wines--------------------- 4 Viña Echeverría------------------------ 8 Viña La Rosa-------------------------- 14 Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier Chile --------------------- 20 Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier Argentina----------------- 24 Bodegas y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca SA--------------------- 28
— CELLAR 246 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
3
4
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
CHILE CHILE
Casablanca Valley
Villard Fine Wines When Thierry Villard established his company in 1989, he was one of the first family boutique wineries in the Casablanca Valley, now recognized as one of Chile’s premium, cool climate regions. Thierry’s son Jean-Charles (Charlie) is now the winemaker and together they both drive a continued commitment to excellence. Their wines are flavoursome, complex and superbly balanced. I visited the new winery in November, the culmination of two years of designing, planning and building. It’s stunning and I can’t wait to taste the first wines produced there next year.
“Our continued commitment to excellence will enable us to satisfy the demanding expectations for quality wines that consumers and wine enthusiasts are searching for.”
photo — A block of Chardonnay at Villard Fine Wines
— CHILE VILLARD FINE WINES
5
8938
EXPRESIÓN RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC, CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2016 Sauvignon Blanc
Casablanca Valley is renowned for the quality of its white wines.
$24.17
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
EXPRESIÓN RESERVE CHARDONNAY, CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2016 Chardonnay
$145.00
$24.17
$145.00
Ripe tropical fruits, mango and passion fruit aromas lead to an elegant, soft palate with the same flavours. This is a smooth, flavoursome wine with great balance and a long, tangy lemon finish. It is both complex and easy to drink. The grapes were harvested by hand and whole bunch-pressed. The juice was chilled for 24 hours, then racked into stainless steel tanks and fermented at low temperature. The wine was matured in tank on fine lees for 4.5 months with periodic lees stirring to give it more complexity and weight.
Tasted as a tank sample, this wine was still maturing when selected. All the grapes were hand-picked, crushed and pressed. Fermentation was initiated in stainless steel tanks with a portion of the wine transferred to French oak hogsheads. 20% of the wine was aged for seven months in barrel with regular bâtonnage, the balance in tank. The two were combined to produce a wine with white fruit and nutty aromas, a broad structure with good balance, and a lemon and pear finish.
2017-2018, M8 D9
2017-2019, M8 D9
Tropical fruits, mango, passion fruit
6
8939
6°C
Nutty, white fruits
6°C
Smooth, flavoursome, [00]
Pears, lemons, smooth, [00]
Mediterranean orzo salad with feta, olives and bell peppers
Veal Scaloppini with lemon cream sauce
photo — The farm house; the Expresión range highlights the terroir of the Casablanca Valley.
RESERVE SYRAH, 8940 EXPRESIÓN CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2015
8941
Syrah $24.17
$145.00
This is a vibrant wine in every regard; bright plum in colour with aromas of red and black cherries, vanilla and some cinnamon spice. Soft and smooth on the palate, it has juicy acidity with flavours of sour cherries, blackberries and cranberries. It is mediumbodied with good potential for cellaring. Various small lots of Syrah were vinified separately in tank. The grapes were left to macerate at 8°C for an average of seven days prior to fermentation between 28°C and 30°C. 60% of the wine was aged in French and American oak for 11 months. 2017-2024, M6 D8 Red and black cherries, vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate
LE PINOT NOIR GRAND VIN, CASABLANCA VALLEY, 2015
18°C
Sour cherries, blackberries, cranberries Grilled Moroccan-spiced rack of lamb
photo — Jean-Charles Villard in the Tanagra vineyard
Pinot Noir $34.83
$209.00
Only the best barrels of Pinot Noir are selected by Thierry and Jean-Charles for the Grand Vin. Aromas of red and black fruits, brambles, raspberry jam, blackcurrant and a hint of vanilla all combine in Villard’s Le Pinot Noir Grand Vin 2015. Light to medium-bodied, it has more dark fruit flavours on the palate with good balance and potential to cellar. The cool climate of Casablanca Valley, located between the Coastal mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, is perfect for producing high-quality Pinot Noir and is recognized as one of Chile’s premium cool climate regions. Various lots of Pinot Noir were harvested by hand and vinified separately in small tanks. After eight days of cold maceration, each batch was fermented over approximately nine days with regular punch-down and pump-overs. The wine was left to macerate a further seven days on skins, and subsequently matured in barrel for ten months.
2017-2022, M6 D8 Raspberries, blackberries, blackcurrant, vanilla
18°C
Light to medium-bodied, dark fruits Wild salmon with blackberry sauce and sage, parsnip purée
— CHILE VILLARD FINE WINES
7
“Our family tradition is expressed through our wines which have a classic, elegant style.”
8
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
photo — Hand-harvested Chardonnay grapes for Casa Nueva wines
CHILE CHILE
Molina, Curicó Valley
The Echeverría family first arrived in Chile in the 1750s from a little town in the Basque region of Spain. In the 1930s, the family planted vineyards in the Curicó Valley, 200 kilometres south of Santiago, and established a winery at Molina. Molina remains the centre for their family business with 65 hectares of vineyards sustainably farmed in the Curicó Valley. The wines are made by Roberto Echeverría Jr., who works alongside his siblings Paulina, Viviana and Diego, under the guidance of Roberto Sr. and his wife Gloria.
Viña Echeverría Casa Nueva
NEW
BRUT ROSÉ, SPARKLING 8942 LUMINOS WINE, CURICÓ VALLEY, NV Pinot Noir $21.17
$127.00
This is a light and refreshing sparkling rosé produced from 100% Pinot Noir grapes. The grapes were hand-picked into small boxes. At the winery, they were left to macerate for a short time, giving the wine a delicate pink hue. The juice was fermented in tank, capturing the sparkle produced by the fermentation. The wine was gently filtered and bottled under pressure. It is soft and smooth with nice red fruits flavours. 2017-2018, M8 D9 Red fruits
6°C
Smooth, round, [02] Manchego cheese croquettes
— CHILE VIÑA ECHEVERRÍA
9
NEW
8944
HACIENDA DE MOLINA RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON/MERLOT, CURICÓ VALLEY, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot $17.67
$212.00
NEW
8943
HACIENDA DE MOLINA CABERNET SAUVIGNON/CARMENÈRE, CENTRAL VALLEY, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère $16.33
A grippy wine with blackcurrant and leafy aromas, the Hacienda de Molina Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère was fermented in tank with no use of oak. It is well-balanced with a touch of residual sweetness. The two grape varieties were harvested by hand separately between April 26th and 28th. After a short cold maceration for 12 hours, fermentation was completed between 25°C and 28°C.
Medium ruby in colour, the Hacienda de Molina Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot is a moody wine with dark fruit aromas, ripe black cherries and smoky notes. The palate is rich and smooth, medium-bodied with lingering bitter chocolate flavours. The wine was part-aged in French oak barrels for four to five months. The Merlot was harvested by hand on April 15th and 16th, while the Cabernet Sauvignon was picked between April 17th and 28th, 2015.
2017-2020, M7 D9
2017-2020, M7 D9
Blackberries, green leaves
10
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
$196.00
16° C
Dark fruits, black cherries, smoke
18°C
Grippy tannins
Rich, smooth, bitter chocolate
Grilled turkey burgers with roasted eggplant
Barbecue baby back ribs and fresh corn risotto
photo — French and American oak barrels used for aging Casa Nueva Gran Reserva wines
NEW
8945
HACIENDA DE MOLINA RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON / CARMENÈRE, CURICÓ VALLEY, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère $17.67
Viña Echeverría is proud to have been awarded Sustainable status by the Wines of Chile organization.
$212.00
This is a wine showing more tertiary characteristics; notes of leather with black fruits, ripe cherries and blackberries. It is medium-bodied with firm tannins on the finish and a lingering bitter cherry flavour. After picking by hand and sorting at the winery, the grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks for seven to ten days, between 25°C and 28°C. A cold spring was followed by high temperatures in the summer of 2014, leading to lower yields of high quality grapes. Roberto’s main concern during ripening was to give the vines enough water. Despite everything, the Cabernet Sauvignon crop was reduced by around 20%.
2017-2020, M7 D8 Leather, blackberries
18°C
Bitter cherry, firm finish Churrasco with pebre – grilled beef tenderloin with Chilean chili salsa
NUEVA SELECTION MERLOT, 8946 CASA CENTRAL VALLEY, 2016 Merlot $16.33
$196.00
A relatively light wine with no oak aging, it is vibrant in colour with aromas of red cherries, some incense and musk. It is light to mediumbodied with a firm, chewy finish. Merlot, one of the earliest ripening grape varieties, was picked on April 12th. 2017-2020, M8 D9 Red cherries, incense
16° C
Soft, light to medium-bodied, chewy finish Pepperoni pizza
photo — Traditional arbor with old Cabernet Sauvignon vines
— CHILE VIÑA ECHEVERRÍA
11
NEW
8947
CASA NUEVA RESERVA CHARDONNAY, CURICÓ VALLEY, 2016 Chardonnay, Viognier $17.67
Merlot, Carmenère
$212.00
$23.00
$138.00
Pale yellow in colour, Casa Nueva Reserva Chardonnay has an array of pear drop, apple and fruity aromas. Soft on the palate, it is medium in weight with 5% of Viognier adding body to give a nicely balanced wine with a crisp finish. Chardonnay grapes from a single vineyard were picked April 4th and 6th, 2016, de-stemmed and chilled before pressing. The wine was fermented at low temperature with partial malolactic fermentation. After the fermentation was completed, the Viognier was added and the wine matured for six weeks on fine lees.
Aromas of red cherries, ripe plums and cooked fruits lead to a light to mediumbodied wine. Matured in a combination of French and American oak barrels for twelve months, it has a lingering spicy, vanilla finish. A small proportion of Carmenère was blended with Merlot, creating a wellbalanced wine with bitter plum flavours. The grapes were hand-picked and whole bunches placed into small boxes to transfer to the winery. After crushing, fermentation took place at 25°C to 28°C in stainless steel tanks with extended skin maceration.
2017-2018, M8 D9
2017-2019, M8 D9
Pear drops, apples
12
NUEVA GRAN RESERVA 8948 CASA MERLOT, CURICÓ VALLEY, 2014
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
6°C
Cooked red fruits, red cherries
Soft, smooth, [01]
Plums, vanilla, spice
Apple-stuffed pork loin
Beef and barley stew
16°C
photo — New estate planting of Merlot
Chief winemaker Roberto Echeverría Jr. brings the Old World and New World together in Casa Nueva Four Elements.
CASA NUEVA GRAN RESERVA
8949 SYRAH/CARMENÈRE, CENTRAL VALLEY, 2014
CASA NUEVA FOUR ELEMENTS, MAIPO VALLEY, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Carignan, Carmenère
Syrah, Carmenère $23.00
8950
$138.00
$25.50
$153.00
Intense aromas and a full-bodied concentrated palate characterize the Casa Nueva Gran Reserva Syrah/Carmenère. Produced from a blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Carmenère, it has a savoury herbal bouquet with notes of smoke, tar and roasted green peppers. The palate is firm with a good tannin structure which complements the dark fruits midpalate and adds chewiness on the finish. It was aged in French and American oak barrels for 12 months.
Named after the four grape varieties that go in to produce this wine, Four Elements 2014 has a distinctive regional Maipo character. Youthful and intense, pure blackcurrant aromas dominate the bouquet. On the palate it has a fine, silky texture with flavours of smoke and more cassis. This is a concentrated wine with great fruit and balance which will benefit from some more bottle aging, although it is a pleasure to drink now. Matured for 12 months in American and French oak barrels, the oak is seamlessly integrated. Each of the grape varieties was harvested by hand at full maturity and vinified separately.
2017-2022, M6 D7
2017-2022, M6 D9
Tar, savoury, roasted green peppers
18°C
Blackcurrants
Full-bodied, smoky finish
Smoke, cassis, fine silky texture
Slow-cooked Patagonian lamb with chimichurri
Eggplant parmigiana
photo — The current generation – from left to right: Diego, Viviana, Roberto and Paulina
18°C
— CHILE VIÑA ECHEVERRÍA
13
“Our ranges of products are estate-grown and bottled, which gives us full vineyard control and ensures quality in every part of the winemaking process.”
14
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
photo — Cornellana bottles on display at the “Museo”, one of Viña La Rosa’s iconic event rooms.
CHILE Cachapoal Valley Rapel
Viña La Rosa Cornellana Estate
CHILE
Established in 1824 by the Ossa family, Viña La Rosa is one of the oldest family wineries in Chile. Don Francisco Ignacio Ossa y Mercado, a miner from the north of Chile, fell in love with the Cachapoal Valley. Ismael Ossa Errázuriz is the sixth generation to work this land. The vineyards are located in three locations around Peumo. This region has developed a reputation for the potential to produce Chile’s best Carmenère, and winemaker Gonzalo Cárcamo has made it his mission to do just that!
8951
CORNELLANA SAUVIGNON BLANC, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2016 Sauvignon Blanc $16.08
$193.00
Unbeatable value, Cornellana Sauvignon Blanc was one of the highest scoring wines in the tasting for this cellar offering. Intense aromas of gooseberries, oyster shells and a hint of petrol lead to a crisp palate with flavours of limes, greengages and more gooseberries. Vines are cultivated on alluvial sandy loam soils. The grapes were harvested by machine at night the first week of March. 2017-2018, M8 D9 Gooseberries, oyster shells
6°C
Crisp, limes, greengages, [00] Ahi tuna ceviche
— CHILE VIÑA LA ROSA
15
8952
CORNELLANA CARMENÈRE, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2016 Carmenère $16.08
8953
CORNELLANA MERLOT, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2016
8954
Merlot $193.00
$16.08
CORNELLANA RESERVE CHARDONNAY, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2016 Chardonnay
$193.00
$17.83
$214.00
The Cornellana Carmenère is deep in colour, with mellow aromas of ripe fruits, cooked berries and blackberry jam. The palate is light to mediumbodied with firm acidity and dark fruit flavours. Carmenère does best on the colluvial soils around Peumo. After harvesting, the grapes were de-stemmed, crushed and fermented at 24°C to 27°C. Cornellana Carmenère is ready for early drinking.
The Merlot is slightly subdued on the nose with some red fruit characteristics. Soft with a medium body, it has good mid-palate fruit with flavours of red and black berries. This is a fuller and softer style than the Casa Nueva Merlot. The grapes were picked the second week of March. A proportion of the wine was aged with French oak for three months.
Mellow, toasty aromas complement ripe pineapple characteristics with good intensity. The soft palate has flavours of passion fruit, lime and lemon. The wine has good mid-palate weight with a long finish. The Chardonnay was machine-harvested at night the second week of March. The grapes were left to macerate for five to twelve hours at 10°C. 35% of the wine was matured in French oak for six months.
2017-2019, M8 D9
2017-2019, M8 D9
2017-2019, M8 D9
Ripe fruits, blackberry jam
16
16°C
Red fruits
16°C
Toasty, ripe pineapple
6°C
Mellow, cooked berries, light to mediumbodied
Soft, smooth, red and black fruits
Passion fruit, lemon, lime, [00]
Beef enchiladas
Pan-roasted veal chop with Merlot pan sauce
Lobster and scallop open-faced ravioli
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
photo — Remote vineyards located deep within the Cornellana Estate. The water is brought from the Cachapoal River.
8955
CORNELLANA RESERVE SHIRAZ, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2015 Shiraz $17.83
8956
CORNELLANA RESERVE PINOT NOIR, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2015 Pinot Noir
$214.00
$18.08
$217.00
Deep purple in colour, the Cornellana Reserve Shiraz 2015 is both youthful and aromatic. Aromas of blackcurrant pastilles segue to a soft, medium to full-bodied wine with good weight, vibrant acidity and fresh blackcurrant flavours. Vines are planted on granitic soils on the lower slopes of the Coastal mountain range. Soils are medium in depth with some presence of clay. It was aged for six months in older oak barrels.
With a transparent ruby colour, distinctive of the Pinot Noir grape, Cornellana Reserve Pinot Noir 2015 has a mellow bouquet with notes of red fruits, wild strawberries and vanilla. The palate is light in body, smooth and well-balanced with a fine texture. This is a very drinkable, great value for money Pinot Noir with red fruit flavours. Pinot Noir is planted on the banks of the Cachapoal River on deep alluvial soils with a mixture of sand and loam. Half the grapes were crushed and the other half left as whole berries to undergo cold maceration for three days at 8°C. The fermentation was carried out at 24°C followed by 12 months in old oak.
2017-2022, M6 D8
2017-2019, M8 D9
Blackcurrant pastilles
18°C
Mellow red fruits
16°C
Medium to full-bodied, cassis
Smooth, light, red fruits
Slow-cooked lamb and white bean stew
Grilled quail served with creamy polenta
photo — The “Museo” has hosted events of major historical significance, including the attendance of past presidents.
— CHILE VIÑA LA ROSA
17
NEW
8957
CORNELLANA BARREL RESERVE CARMENÈRE PETIT VERDOT, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2014 Carmenère, Petit Verdot $22.83
$137.00
8958
CORNELLANA BARREL RESERVE WINEMAKERS SELECTION CUVÉE, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2014 Carmenère, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc $24.17
$145.00
This is a dense wine, deep in colour with a sweet, floral perfume and notes of Parma violets and black berries. A more savoury characteristic emerges in the mouth with succulent mid-palate fruit, some firm tannins and a long, vanilla cream and black cherry finish. All grapes were harvested by hand with Carmenère picked the first week of May and Petit Verdot the second week of April in 2014. The Carmenère is cultivated on deep soils with high presence of clay and coarse sand while the Petit Verdot is on granitic mountain soils. The grapes were crushed and fermented at up to 30°C with subsequent malolactic fermentation in barrel. The wine was aged for nine months in first, second and third use barrels.
Slightly lighter in style, the Barrel Reserve Winemakers Selection Cuvée has dark brambly fruits with plums and red cherries. Youthful, it is light to medium-bodied with firm acidity and medium length. 2014 was one of the earliest harvests ever in Cachapoal Valley. Merlot was picked during the third week of March, Cabernet Franc during the first week of April, Syrah the second week of April and finally Carmenère during the second week of May. Each variety was picked by hand, crushed and fermented in stainless steel tanks with regular pumpovers to extract colour and tannin. 100% of the wine was aged in barrel for nine months using a combination of new, one and twoyear-old barrels.
2017-2022, M6 D7
2017-2020, M7 D8
Parma violets, blackberries, floral
18
18°C
Dark brambly fruits
Carmenère, Cabernet Franc $25.50
$153.00
Produced from a fifty-fifty blend of Carmenère and Cabernet Franc, the wine is deep in colour with a distinctly smoky aroma laid over restrained fruits and plums. It is full-bodied with more fresh, dark fruit flavours emerging on the palate and herbal notes. Concentrated with a firm structure, it has a fine, silky texture. A wine with great balance and poise, I would happily stash it away in my cellar for some time. 2017-2022, M6 D9 Smoke, plums, creosote
18°C
Dark fruits, herbs Boeuf Bourguignon
18°C
Savoury, black cherries, vanilla
Plums, red cherries
Five-spice duck breast with blackberries
Wild boar sausage stew served over mashed potatoes
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
8959
CORNELLANA BARREL RESERVE WINEMAKERS SELECTION CARMENÈRE/CABERNET FRANC, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2014
photo — The “casona”, estate house of the Ossa family, including “tinajas”, clay jars brought to Chile by Spanish conquerors
Last day to order: February 17, 2017
8960
CORNELLANA BARREL RESERVE WINEMAKERS SELECTION CARMENÈRE, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2014 Carmenère $25.50
$153.00
Carmenère is the latest ripening grape variety. The deep mountain soils around Peumo, with the high presence of clay and coarse sand, allow a long and slow ripening. In 2014 it was picked the third week of May. Aromas of fresh dark fruits, blackberries and rhubarb precede a spicy palate with a hint of smoke, which complements the flavours of black cherries, sour fruits and slightly underripe blackberries. The 2014 Barrel Reserve Winemakers Selection Carmenère needs some time in bottle to open up and mellow.
8961
CORNELLANA CUVÉE GRAN RESERVA, CACHAPOAL VALLEY, 2013 Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot $26.83
The deep ruby colour, which shows some signs of development, is the only thing that gives the age of this wine away. It remains youthful with spicy and ripe dark fruit aromas. It is smooth and medium-bodied with good fruit and develops well in the glass. 2013 was a great year in Chile, with each of the black grape varieties achieving ripeness, intense colours and tannins.
2017-2022, M6 D7 Blackberries, rhubarb
$161.00
18°C
2017-2022, M6 D8 Spicy, ripe dark fruits
18°C
Dark fruits, black cherry, sour blackberry, hint of smoke
Medium-bodied
Chicken Tikka Masala
Grilled garden vegetables lasagna with basil marinara sauce
photo — Roses from the winery gardens decorate the tables for a recent tasting event held for visiting Opimians
— CHILE VIÑA LA ROSA
19
20
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
CHILE CHILE
Maule – San Antonio
Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier José Manuel Ortega Gil-Fournier spent three years exploring and searching Chile for the best vineyards and terroirs, finally settling in Maule, in the far south, in 2007. Here he farms vineyards aged from 65 to over 120 years old.
“These old-vine, dry-farmed vineyards, with such complex and balanced grapes, allow us to produce wines with exceptional characteristics and personality.”
photo —120-year-old País vineyards have been grafted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carignan and Syrah.
— CHILE BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS O. FOURNIER
21
BLASÓN DE SAN JAVIER
8963 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, VALLE DEL MAULE, 2015
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah
Cabernet Sauvignon $24.33
Expand your horizons with Select Plus. Learn more at opim.ca
$146.00
Intense, pure aromas of fresh blackcurrants and blackcurrant concentrate lead to a soft, smooth palate. This is a linear wine, with great concentration and depth, from a good vintage. March was a hot month, April less so, thus allowing grapes to hang longer on the vines and reach full maturity. The Cabernet Sauvignon vines are 100 years old. They are planted on alluvial free-draining silty loam. 2017-2022, M6 D8 Fresh blackcurrants, blackcurrant concentrate
DE SAN JAVIER RED 8964 BLASÓN BLEND, VALLE DEL MAULE, 2015
$24.33
The combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah has produced a wine with an intense aroma and savoury smoky notes which complement the dark fruits and liquorice. A firm style, with flavours of plums and damsons, makes this more rustic than the straight Cabernet Sauvignon, ending with a chewy finish. All the vineyards are dryfarmed and are generally aged between 60 and 100 years old. All the grapes were harvested by hand in April 2015. After fermentation in tank, the wine was matured for three months in French oak barrels.
18°C
Smooth, concentrated Flank steak roulade with roasted potatoes
$146.00
2018-2022, M6 D6 Smoke, tar, savoury, dark fruits
18°C
Liquorice, plums, damsons Venison and black bean chili
22
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
photo — La Higuera is located in Loncomilla, a region named after its river.
8965
ALFA CENTAURI CABERNET FRANC, CARIGNAN, VALLE DEL MAULE, 2014 Cabernet Franc, Carignan $51.00
$306.00
A complex wine, deep ruby in colour, it has an intense bouquet with smoke, ripe red fruits, cassis, cedar and pencil lead. This is an elegant wine with great depth of flavour, spices and dark fruits. Flavours intermingle and are perfectly integrated, finishing with tangy dark fruit notes. 2014 was a vintage with low yields of small berries giving greatly concentrated wines with considerable aging potential. Cabernet Franc is planted on silty loam soils and dates back to 1890. Carignan is grafted onto old vines of País (a dark-skinned Spanish variety). The grapes were harvested by hand in April and sorted at the winery. Fermentation was carried out in stainless steel tanks at 28°C with three to four daily pump-overs. The wine was matured for 18 months in new French oak barrels. 2017-2030, M6 D8 Red fruits, smoky
18°C
Cedar, cassis, spicy dark fruits Civet of hare
photo — (Right) José Manuel Ortega, O. Fournier’s founder and CEO, together with Hugo Donoso, vineyard manager
— CHILE BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS O. FOURNIER
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24
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
photo — “Urban at O. Fournier” restaurant has been awarded for its excellence.
ARGENTINA ARGNETINA Mendoza
Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier
8967
Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier has a stunning modern winery at the foot of the Andes in La Consulta in the Uco Valley, province of Mendoza. The Uco vineyards sit at approximately 1200 metres altitude. The stony, sandy soils have limited organic matter and vines rely on water coming from the melted snow caps of the Andes. Temperatures can vary between 20°C and 25°C between day and night. The wines produced are concentrated with excellent keeping potential.
BLASÓN DE SAN CARLOS TORRONTÉS, VALLE DE CAFAYATE, SALTA, 2016 Torrontés $18.92
$227.00
Pale in colour, with elegant aromas of fresh lemons, lemon sherbet and Turkish delight, this wine is a delight! Refined with a soft, easy style, it has tangy, zesty acidity. Refreshing with a lingering finish, it is perfectly balanced and ready for drinking. The vineyard in Salta, in the far north of Argentina, was planted 13 years ago. Vines are trellised and cultivated on stony soils poor in organic material and are protected against hail with nets. 2017-2018, M8 D9 Lemon sherbet, Turkish delight
6°C
Tangy, zesty, [00] Thai lemon shrimps with sweet chili sauce
— ARGENTINA BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS O. FOURNIER
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BLASÓN DE SAN CARLOS
BLASÓN DE SAN CARLOS
8968 CHARDONNAY, VALLE DE UCO,
8969 MALBEC, VALLE DE UCO,
Chardonnay
Malbec
MENDOZA, 2016
$19.08
$229.00
8970
MENDOZA, 2016
$22.00
BLASÓN DE SAN CARLOS TEMPRANILLO, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2016 Tempranillo
$264.00
$22.00
$264.00
Bright in colour, Blasón de San Carlos Chardonnay has appealing fruit aromas of passion fruit, guava and spices. The palate is soft and broad in structure with flavours of quince and apples, finishing on lemony notes. After a relatively short winter, there was a late frost in the Uco Valley, which was localized causing no substantial damage at O. Fournier. The grapes were hand-picked 15 days earlier than usual with a double-sorting of clusters and berries at the winery, before pressing and fermentation in stainless steel tanks.
Restrained dark fruits, with savoury aromas of marmite and coal, lead to a more forthcoming palate. It is smooth with dark fruit flavours of blackcurrants and black cherries, ripe, but definitely not over-ripe, fruit flavours. Blasón de San Carlos Malbec 2016 is well-balanced and fresh. Malbec grapes were hand-harvested into small boxes. After destemming and crushing, the grapes were fermented, using selected yeast, with skin contact for 12 days. The wine was matured in oak barrels for three months.
Showing more dried fruit characters, Blasón de San Carlos Tempranillo 2016 has aromas of raisins, figs, fruitcake and liquorice with some red cherry fruits in the background. Medium-bodied, it has a fine texture with flavours of red cherry, bitter chocolate and cranberries on the finish. Planted fifteen years ago, the Tempranillo vineyard is unique, with bush vines and no trellis, producing low yields.
2017-2018, M8 D9
2017-2022, M6 D9
2017-2021, M7 D9
Passion fruit, guava, spices
26
6°C
Dark fruits, savoury, coal
18°C
Figs, raisins, fruitcake
18°C
Quince, apples, lemon, [00]
Blackcurrants, black cherries
Red cherries, liquorice, bitter chocolate, cranberries
Honey-glazed chicken breast with applepotato purée
Slow-braised short ribs with crushed root vegetables
Lamb Tagine
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
photo — Tempranillo planted using the “vaso” system; O. Fournier prefers this traditional Spanish bush vine system.
8971
FINCA SOPHIA RED BLEND, UCO VALLEY, MENDOZA, 2013 Tempranillo, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon $35.83
CRUX MALBEC, VALLE DE 8972 ALFA UCO, EL CEPILLO, MENDOZA, 2013 Malbec
$215.00
Mellow dark fruits and liquorice mingle with aromas of straw and freshly mown grass. More red fruits emerge on the palate with flavours of raspberry and cranberry. Finca Sophia Red Blend 2013 is fine in texture with lively acidity and some astringency on the finish. There is no hurry to drink this and it will benefit from some time in bottle. 2013 was not an easy year, with severe frosts in winter and late spring frosts. Summer was very warm with some prolonged heatwaves, producing uneven ripening, thus meticulous grape selection and sorting of berries were absolutely key. The grapes underwent cold maceration for five days at 8°C followed by alcoholic fermentation and total skin contact for 28 days. Malolactic fermentation was carried out in barrel and the wine matured for 12 months in first and second use oak.
$56.17
$337.00
Named after a star in the Southern Cross constellation, Alfa Crux is only visible in the sky of the southern hemisphere. This is the flagship wine produced by O. Fournier in Argentina. It has won countless awards over the years since the first vintage was produced in 2001. This is an intense wine with ripe plum fruits, blackberries, blueberries, fruitcake and treacle aromas. The palate is dense with rustic tannins, which will soften over time, as well as lingering spicy tobacco flavours. At O. Fournier, the team focuses on every single step in winemaking in detail. Malbec grapes were picked in late March and early April 2013, with double-sorting of the grapes at the winery. After a five-day cold maceration, the wine was fermented and left on skins for 28 days. The winery was designed to work by gravity and has a series of conical-shaped stainless steel tanks, cement vats and French oak vats, as well as an innovative area to carry out microvinifications. The wine was subsequently aged for 20 months in new oak barrels, 80% French and 20% American.
2017-2025, M6 D7 Blackberries, fruitcake
18°C
Tobacco, dark fruits Grilled New York Strip with blue cheese and spinach risotto
2017-2022, M6 D7 Mellow dark fruits, freshly mown grass
18°C
Raspberries, cranberries, liquorice Orecchiette with roasted fennel and sausage
photo — The underground cellar can hold up to 2,800 oak barrels at constant temperature and humidity.
— ARGENTINA BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS O. FOURNIER
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28
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
ARGENTINA ARGNETINA
Mendoza
Bodegas y Viñedos Mauricio Lorca SA Mauricio Lorca established his vineyards in the Uco Valley in 1999. Right from the start, his focus has been on producing the best quality wine possible and his vineyards are some of the most densely planted in the Uco Valley. The vines, now 16 years old, have reached maturity and produce low yields of high quality, concentrated grapes.
“Our vineyards are located in Uco Valley, one of the most prestigious regions worldwide for growing vines. This is the origin of our inspiration.”
photo — Lírico –a wine designed to awaken all your senses
— ARGENTINA BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS MAURICIO LORCA SA
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NEW
NEW
NEW
TEMÁTICO ARGENTINO JOVEN LA RIOJA, MENDOZA, 2016
TEMÁTICO ARGENTINO JOVEN MALBEC, VISTA FLORES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2016
Torrontés Riojano
Malbec
8973 TORRONTÉS, VALLE DE FAMATINA, 8974
$20.00
$120.00
$20.00
Cabernet Sauvignon $120.00
Torrontés is grown in the north of Argentina in La Rioja province. Pale in colour, Temático Joven Torrontés 2016 has delicate, floral aromas of rose petals. Light and elegant on the palate, with a touch of residual sweetness, it is balanced by crisp, lemony acidity. Torrontés grapes were grown on traditional pergola-trained vines in the northern Famatina Valley at 911 metres.
Made from Argentina’s signature grape, Temático Joven Malbec 2016 has aromas of plums and red fruits. The palate is more savoury with a medium body and firm acidity as well as grippy tannins. The grapes were fermented in concrete tanks. A difficult year for Argentina growers, Mauricio’s success is due to his vigilance and action in the vineyards. Yields were drastically reduced by green-harvesting and early defoliation to keep the grapes healthy.
2017-2018, M8 D9
2017-2019, M8 D9
Floral, rose petal
30
6°C
Plums, red fruits
Light, elegant, [01]
Medium-bodied, savoury twist
Butternut squash soup
Empanadas
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
8975
TEMÁTICO ARGENTINO JOVEN CABERNET SAUVIGNON, VISTA FLORES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2016
18°C
$20.00
$120.00
Showing all the breeding of classic Cabernet Sauvignon finesse, Temático Joven Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is smooth with fine, silky tannins and ripe black cherry flavours.
2017-2019, M8 D9 Cherries
18°C
Dark cherries, smooth, silky Lamb and goat cheese burgers with Cabernet barbecue sauce
photo — The winery’s pursuit of quality begins in the vineyards. Harvesting is done by hand in 15 kg. bins.
NEW
8976
LÍRICO WINEMAKER’S WINES SAUVIGNON BLANC, VISTAS FLORES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2016 Sauvignon Blanc $21.83
$131.00
This is less of a gooseberry, pungent Sauvignon Blanc, more an array of white stone fruits; nectarines, white peaches and lime blossom with a savoury note behind adding complexity. The palate reveals some mineral, earthy characteristics with lemon and lime citrus flavours on the finish. 2017-2018, M8 D9 Nectarines, white peaches, lime blossom
6°C
Flinty, lemon, lime, citrus, [00] Dungeness crab and citrus salad with avocado
photo — Mauricio Lorca, Winemaker
— ARGENTINA BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS MAURICIO LORCA SA
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8977
LÍRICO WINEMAKER’S WINES CHARDONNAY, VISTA FLORES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2016 Chardonnay $21.83
Mauricio Lorca’s talents as a top winemaking consultant are in demand throughout Argentina.
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Malbec $131.00
$21.83
$131.00
Lírico Chardonnay is quite restrained with some stone fruits and wet pavement aromas. The palate is soft and reveals more white fruits, apples and pears. 10% of the wine was matured in oak for four months, adding complexity, but no obvious oak.
Lírico Malbec 2016 has a distinctly savoury nose with aromas of leather, marmite and some dark berry fruits. Light to medium-bodied, it has a grainy texture with firm tannins and a chewy finish. A bit austere at the moment, it will mellow over the coming months. Malbec is grown in high-density vineyards, with 6850 vines per hectare, to produce just two bottles of wine per plant. 30% of the wine was oak-aged.
2017-2019, M8 D9
2017-2020, M8 D9
Stone fruits, wet stone
32
8978
LÍRICO WINEMAKER’S WINES MALBEC, VISTA FLORES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2016
6°C
Dark berries, leather, marmite
Apples, pears, [00]
Grainy, chewy texture
Caramelized onion, apple and brie pizza
Gnocchi with veal and pork ragù
18°C
photo — Mauricio Lorca (far right) and his team during their annual celebration at the end of the harvest
8979
LÍRICO WINEMAKER’S WINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON, VISTA FLORES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon $21.83
week of April.
LORCA ÓPALO MALBEC, VISTA
8980 FLORES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2015
Malbec
$131.00
$26.50
$159.00
This is a complex wine with aromas of Parma violets, black cherries, spice and a hint of leather. The palate is smooth with a good, ripe fruit flavours mid-palate and a long, blackcurrant finish. The grapes were harvested by hand the first
Deep and bright in colour with a purple hue, this wine is youthful and full of promise. Aromas of coffee, caramel and blackberries intermingle, leading to a medium to fullbodied wine. It is well-balanced with a silky texture, quite restrained, but with dark fruit flavours and a long finish. Mauricio uses no oak in his Ópalo range with the aim to fully express the grape variety and the terroir on which it is grown.
2017-2021, M7 D8
2017-2022, M6 D8
Parma violets, black cherries, spice, hint of leather
18°C
Coffee, caramel, blackberries
18°C
Smooth, ripe fruits, blackcurrant finish
Dark fruits, fine, silky texture
Grilled lamb and onion skewers
Sausage and herb-stuffed aubergine
photo — A Malbec vine surrounded by the mighty Andes, one of the most acclaimed Mendocinean images
— ARGENTINA BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS MAURICIO LORCA SA
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8981
LORCA ÓPALO CABERNET SAUVIGNON, VISTA FLORES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon $26.50
$159.00
Deep in colour, Ópalo Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 has restrained dark fruit aromas with blackcurrants and black cherries. This is a classy wine with a fine, silky texture and great balance. Elegant, yet powerful, with potential for some years of cellaring, it is an example of why this grape is considered truly noble. Cabernet Sauvignon was picked by hand the second week of April. The yield is highly limited, with just one bottle produced from each vine. 2017-2023, M6 D9 Restrained blackcurrants, black cherries
18°C
Fine, silky texture, dark fruits Braised rabbit stew
34
CELLAR 246 — NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
photo — Cabernet Sauvignon vines, the source for the Ópalo Cabernet Sauvignon
Malbec – born in Bordeaux, but at home in Argentina!
TEMÁTICO ARGENTINO RESERVA
8982 MALBEC, VISTA FLORES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2013
8983
Malbec $30.50
TEMÁTICO ARGENTINO RESERVA SYRAH, VISTA FLORES, VALLE DE UCO, MENDOZA, 2013
$183.00 Syrah
Aromas of red and black cherries lie over a hint of leather in the background. The 2013 Temático Argentino Reserva Malbec is showing signs of development with more balsamic flavours. Smooth and supple with lively acidity, it will be at optimum drinking now and over the next few years. 2013 was an outstanding harvest in terms of quality with ideal weather conditions. The wine was matured for 12 months in oak barrels, 90% French and 10% American.
Marked by the oak maturation, it spent 12 months in oak, 90% French and 10% American. Temático Argentino Reserva Syrah 2013 has intense pencil lead and cedar notes with wet green leaves, herbs, spices and a dark fruit background. Medium to full-bodied, it remains youthful with firm tannins and acidity finishing with sour blackcurrant flavours. It will merit from more time in bottle to mellow and for the oak to fully integrate.
2017-2020, M7 D9
2017-2023, M6 D7
Red and black cherries, hint of leather
18°C
$30.50
Pencil lead, coal, wet leaves
$183.00
18°C
Balsamic, smooth, supple finish
Dark fruits, herbs, spice, sour blackcurrant
Balsamic-glazed sirloin steak served with roasted vegetables
Garlic and herb roast lamb on Boulangère potatoes
photo — The view from the winery
— ARGENTINA BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS MAURICIO LORCA SA
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Our Programs Opimian offers three wine programs: Discovery, Select Plus and Founders’ Choice. All three showcase great value for money wines, yet they do suit somewhat different interests. Whether you decide to embark on an exploratory journey or want to enjoy a more premium selection, the process stays the same. You don’t have to worry about deadlines or ordering procedures since Opimian automatically places an order on your behalf with every new Cellar Offering. Your preferred payment will be used, then your wine is shipped and you will receive a Pick Up Notice indicating where to pick it up. Visit Opim.ca for more information.
Eager to learn your way around the world of wine or simply enjoy a selection of bottles for everyday drinking? The Discovery program has it all. Over the course of the year, members enrolled in this program receive one mixed case of six bottles from a featured supplier per cellar offering. These wines are all for immediate drinking so you can indulge in one or two the moment they get to you. Whether you’re new to Opimian or fancy hopping on an introductory tour of the world of wine, we recommend this route. Members previously enlisted in the Select program will now automatically be converted to our Discovery program.
Delve into a versatile selection of bottles and explore the four corners of the world of wine. This program features both early drinkability and mid-term aging potential bottles so you can enjoy some now and lay the others down. Throughout the year, Select Plus members receive one mixed case of six bottles per Cellar Offering. These wines may all be enjoyed young but will benefit from some maturing time. The ideal program for those who wish to expand their horizons and refine their palate one bottle at a time.
A collector’s dream. Dedicated to the spirit of our Founders, this program presents only the finest wines our very own Master of Wine Jane Masters has handpicked and tasted over the past year. The wines featured here are exclusive to this program and don’t appear on our Cellar Offerings. Made up of six bottles of a premium wine with a dedicated back label and a special message with tasting notes from the producer, each of the cases you will receive represents the very best our producers have to offer. These bottles offer long-term aging potential so you might want to free up space in that cellar … or start building one. The Founders’ Choice supplier for this cellar offering is Bodegas y Viñedos O. Fournier Chile.
www.opim.ca opim@opim.ca
#420 - 5165 Sherbrooke West, Montreal QC H4A 1T6 T: 514-483-5551 or 800-361-9421 F: 514-481-9699