cellar
ab
251 Order between July 7 and August 11, 2017
Burgundy, The Loire Valley, Languedoc-Roussillon & Provence
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 early October 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: August 11, 2017. Important: no orders will be processed after this deadline. * Deadline for mailing orders: August 1, 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 – C242 M—Degree of Maturity (1-10) M1 = lay down M10 = fully mature
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cellar 251 — Alberta
D—Degree of Drinkability (1-10) D1 = needs time D10 = ready to drink
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 — Katie Jones surrounded by her hundred-year-old
Carignan and Grenache vines in the Fitou appellation
Languedoc-Roussillon
Cellar 251 |
Burgundy, The Loire Valley, Languedoc-Roussillon & Provence
Spring frosts in Burgundy in 2016 were the most significant to hit the region since 1981. Driving down from London to Nice in September, during harvest, I stopped off to see for myself. Many growers were affected, losing up to 80% of their harvest. As I write this in April 2017, France is once again experiencing low temperatures with a risk of frost damage, at a very sensitive time of the year. Champagne was hit on April 20th, Bordeaux on April 26th and April 27th, and Burgundy is on frost alert. Who knows what Mother Nature will bring this year? The good news is that despite being low in volume, both 2016 and 2015 wines are high in quality, and we have secured wines for Opimian members. This offering comprises a gamut of Pinot Noir; classic Burgundy wines, a deliciously light Sancerre Rouge from the Loire, and Pinot Noir from the southern region of Limoux. For those members with a taste for hearty reds, the Languedoc-Roussillon has a range of great wines. Furthermore, we introduce two new producers, Domaine Jones and Domaine de la Jasse.
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 356 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 Domaine Billard Père et Fils------------4 Bernard Perrin--------------------------8 Maison Foucher Lebrun--------------- 14 Domaine Jones------------------------ 18 BLB Vignobles------------------------ 22 LGI Wines ----------------------------- 26 Paul Sapin ---------------------------- 30 Château Canet------------------------ 34 Château Vignelaure------------------- 40
— cellar 251 Alberta
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“Our motto — Expressing the typicity of the terroir.“
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photo — View of the Saint-Romain vineyard from the
La Combe Bazin plot
Burgundy Burgundy
La Rochepot
Domaine Billard Père et Fils
I dropped in to La Rochepot to see Elisabeth and Jérôme on September 29th, 2016. It was an extremely hot day and they were right in the middle of harvest. It hadn’t been an easy year for them with frost in some areas completely devastating their crop which is the reason why there is no Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Rouge this year. The grapes were also ripening in an unusual way, with certain Pinot Noir plots ready for picking at the same time as the Chardonnay grapes, presenting an extra challenge to harvest. Having said that, the 2016 wines are incredibly good, in part thanks to the low yields inflicted by nature, and to Jérôme’s absolute determination to produce the very best he can.
Hautes-Côtes de 9248 Bourgogne Beaune, La Justice, AOC, 2016
9249
Saint-Romain, La Combe Bazin, AOC, 2016 Chardonnay
Chardonnay $20.67
$26.83 $124.00
$161.00
Smooth with white fruits, fresh apples and earthy aromas, it is a soft and elegant wine with green apple acidity and medium length. The La Justice vineyard lies on a plateau at 400 metres, overlooking the villages of SaintAubin, Auxey-Duresses and Meursault. The five-hectare plot sits at just 200 metres as the crow flies from Moingeon on the same mother rock.
Medium yellow in colour, the 2016 has appealing aromas of quince jelly, apples and butterscotch. It is smooth and round in structure with lingering mellow flavours. When I tasted the 2015 in September, I kicked myself for not having selected it last year. I will not make the same mistake this year, as I think the 2016 is every bit as good! The La Combe Bazin vineyard, east of the village of Saint-Romain, has rich limestone marl soils with vineyards an average of 20 years old.
2017-2020, M8 D9
2017-2022, M6 D8
Fresh apples, white fruits
8°C
Quince, apples, butterscotch
8°C
Green apples, [00]
Smooth, lemon, [00]
Potato salad with smoked salmon and horseradish crème fraîche
Pan-seared striped bass with roasted mushrooms and lemon-thyme broth
— burgundy Domaine Billard Père et Fils
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9251
Auxey-Duresses, AOC, 2016
Pinot Noir $24.83
9250
$149.00
18°C
Smooth, red cherry, silky
Chardonnay $32.17
2017-2020, M7 D9 Red and black fruit
$193.00
Saint-Aubin 1er Cru, Les Castets, AOC, 2016 Pinot Noir
With intense red and dark fruit, the 2016 Auxey-Duresses has great depth on the nose. It is soft, smooth and mediumbodied with mellow red cherry flavours, silky tannins and good balance. It will be ready for drinking early, offering true Pinot Noir typicity. The AuxeyDuresses appellation meets the commune of La Rochepot where Jérôme and his family live, with the village lying between those of SaintRomain and Meursault. It was one of Jérôme’s plots hardest-hit by the spring frost. The vines are nearly 40 years old and Jérôme’s work in the vineyard to alter the training system is now paying dividends. Despite the difficult growing season, the wine is a great success.
Saint-Aubin 1er Cru, Vignes Moingeon, AOC, 2016
9252
$28.00
$168.00
Deep ruby in colour, aromas of almonds and cherries lead to a soft, silky, textured wine with great balance. It is concentrated with good weight and will repay some keeping. Fine in texture with a vibrant cherry finish, Les Castets takes its name from the fortifications built close by during the Middle Ages. This 1er Cru site touches the western limit of the village with a south-southeast exposition and limestone marl soils. Jérôme farms a plot of just 0.33 hectares and produced only 2000 bottles in 2016. 2017-2022, M6 D8 Cherries, almonds
18°C
Smooth texture, vibrant cherries, red cherries Pan-seared squab breast with caramelized onions and roasted marjoram-potato gnocchi
Herb-roasted pork tenderloin with sweet potatoes and pancetta green beans
Jérôme’s Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Vignes Moingeon is another step up in quality. It is more complex, with spicy notes of fennel and vanilla. The palate is succulent, yet elegant, with smooth fruit flavours and a bitter lemon finish. Jérôme has 0.85 hectares in this 1er Cru site to the north of the appellation. Vines sit in the middle of the east-facing slope at 300 metres on loam soils. 2017-2022, M6 D9 Spicy, fennel, vanilla
8°C
Rich, succulent fruits, bitter lemon, [00] Scallops with mussels and shrimp in a cream sauce over fettuccine
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photo — Horse-ploughing in the Pommard plot – it offers benefits such as less soil compaction.
9253
Beaune 1er Cru, Les Chouacheux, AOC, 2016 Pinot Noir $36.17
$217.00
A firm, more masculine style, this wine is vibrant in colour with aromas of dark fruits, red cherries and earth. It is currently less expressive in character with a solid structure. It is medium-bodied with flavours of sour red cherries and cranberries. Les Chouacheux is a 1er Cru site to the southwest of the town of Beaune, lying on the lower slope. The soils are dark limestone clay and alluvial, which seem to give this wine its heavier feel. The grapes were harvested on September 23rd, 2016 and were fermenting away nicely in the new concrete tanks during my visit the following week. The wine will be matured for 10 months in a combination of Vosges and Allier oak barrels, one third new.
9254
Chassagne-Montrachet, Les Morichots, AOC, 2016
9255
Pinot Noir $35.17
18°C
Pinot Noir
Intense berry fruits, cherries, redcurrants and raspberries give Les Morichots immediate appeal. It is soft on the palate, showing more savoury and chocolate flavours to complement the fruit. Billard’s 2016 Chassagne-Montrachet has a creamy texture with layers of flavours; cherries, cola, bitter cherry and dark chocolate. A supple wine with great balance and poise, it should mature nicely. This is Jérôme’s smallest plot with just 0.2 of one hectare, producing only 100 cases of wine. Picked on September 26th, 2016, the wine was matured in Vosges oak barrels for nine months, 30% new.
Jérôme’s 2016 Pommard is a textural wine with great depth. Despite its higher price, it scored more highly in my tasting notes in terms of value. It is mellow with aromas of ripe cherries, cola and other red fruits. The palate is smooth, succulent and concentrated with great length and lingering flavours of vanilla, red and bitter cherries, and chocolate. Pommard is known for producing sturdy wines and there is no doubt that this is a wine with a fantastic future.
2017-2024, M6 D7
2017-2025, M6 D9
2017-2023, M6 D7 Dark fruits, red cherries, earth
$211.00
Pommard, AOC, 2016
Red fruits, cherries
18°C
$40.33
Cola, cherries
$242.00
18°C
Sour cherry, cranberry
Savoury, chocolate, cola, bitter cherries
Mellow, vanilla, succulent cherry fruits, chocolate, concentrated
Venison shank stew
Boeuf Bourguignon
Wild boar with Grand Veneur sauce
photo — Jane Masters, MW, offered a taste of the Beaune 1er Cru, Les Chouacheux during the 2016 harvest
— burgundy Domaine Billard Père et Fils
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“Burgundy is neighbour and big brother to Beaujolais. Many small properties make great quality wines here. We like to act as ‘talent scouts’.“
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photo — Pinot Noir grapes are manually harvested and placed in white bins before going to the winery.
Burgundy Burgundy
Ternand
A selection of 2015 Burgundy wines from four small growers based in the far north of the region in Auxerre, the Côte d’Or’s Côte de Nuits and down to Beaune, each is independent in personality and character.
Bernard Perrin
new
9256
Bourgogne Côtes d’Auxerre, AOC, Pinot Noir, Domaine Sorin Coquard, 2015 Pinot Noir $20.50
$123.00
In 2016, the spring frost meant that Pierre Sorin lost 80% of his crop, so he could not produce Sauvignon de Saint-Bris, much to my chagrin. The good news is that it gave me an opportunity to taste his Côtes d’Auxerre Pinot Noir 2015, produced on his family’s estate, established by Pierre’s greatgrandfather Jacques. A restrained wine, but with nice aromas of red berry fruits and strawberry leaf, it is light to medium-bodied with flavours of cranberry, sour cherry and crunchy red fruits emerging. The grapes were picked, destemmed, fermented and aged in tank with no use of oak. 2017-2020, M7 D9 Red berries, strawberry leaf
16°C
Light to medium-bodied, cranberry Braised rabbit with spring vegetables
— burgundy Bernard Perrin
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9257
Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, Blanc, AOC, Domaine Thévenot-Le Brun & Fils, 2015 Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay $24.17
$145.00
9258
Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, Clos du Vignon, AOC, Monopole, Domaine ThévenotLe Brun & Fils, 2015 Pinot Noir $27.17
9259
Domaine du Vieux Collège, AOC Marsannay, Les Vignes Marie, 2015 Chardonnay
$163.00
$31.50
$189.00
Produced from an unusual blend of 75% Pinot Blanc and 25% Chardonnay, the 2015 Domaine Thévenot-Le Brun Bourgogne HautesCôtes de Nuits Blanc has aromas of hazelnuts and lemons, with more white fruit emerging on the palate. It is a refreshing white with a steely finish. The Pinot Blanc was planted 10 years ago, while the Chardonnay was planted on the steepest slopes in the commune of Marey-lès-Fussey over 20 years ago. The wine was fermented in tank, with a portion of the Pinot Blanc subsequently aged in new oak barrels for eight months.
A relatively light wine, pale in colour with a ruby hue, it has an herbal, balsamic character. Light to medium-bodied, silky initially, it develops a certain grip in the mouth with a bitter cherry finish. The Clos du Vignon is a single seven-hectare parcel of terraced slopes with shallow stony soils, forcing the vines to dig deep for water, and a south-southeast exposition. Pinot Noir was planted on these slopes in 1965 by Maurice and Anne Marie Thévenot-Le Brun. The estate is now run and wines made by their grandson Nicolas. After traditional vinification, the wine was matured for 12 months in old oak barrels.
Eric Guyard was not happy when I went to visit him at harvest time in September, 2016. Marsannay, where many of his vineyards are planted, was one of the villages hardest hit by the frost in April: he lost somewhere between 80% and 90% of his total harvest. Eric’s 2015 Marsannay, Les Vignes Marie is intense and complex with spicy vanilla oak and ripe fruits. On the palate, it is multilayered with a sweet succulent core, complemented by fresh acidity. It is persistent in flavour with a citrus pith and oaky finish. It was aged for 12 months in oak, 30% new.
2017-2019, M8 D9
2017-2020, M7 D9
2017-2022, M6 D8
Lemon, hazelnut
10
6°C
Herbal, balsamic, tea
18°C
Complex, spicy, vanilla
6°C
Smooth, white fruits, mineral finish, [00]
Silky, grippy, bitter cherries
Succulent white fruit, pithy finish, [00]
Crab-stuffed sole with watercress in a citrus beurre blanc sauce
Coq au Vin
Veal scaloppini over wild mushroom risotto with sautéed asparagus in citrus brown butter sauce
cellar 251 — Alberta
photo — The village of Azé in Burgundy is a fine example of the exceptional landscape of the region.
Fixin, in the north of the Côte de Nuits, north of Gevrey-Chambertin, like Marsannay is often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbour, but in the right hands it has the potential to produce good wine. Eric has 1.2 hectares in Les Champs des Charmes at the southern end of the appellation. The 40-yearold vines sit close to the bottom of the slope at 270 metres and benefit from a constant breeze blowing down from side valleys. The soils are dense and rich in clay with a marl subsoil. Deep in colour, the 2015 Fixin, Les Champs des Charmes has a spicy, marzipan character, more savoury and incense characters than fruit. On the palate, it is supple with good mid-palate weight leading to some grip. It has a grainy texture and a long, spicy finish. A hearty wine, it was matured for 12 months with 30% new oak barrels.
du Vieux Collège, AOC 9260 Domaine Marsannay, Les Récilles, 2015 Pinot Noir $31.50
$189.00
Domaine du Vieux Collège has been in Eric’s family for seven generations and comprises 25 hectares in Marsannay, Fixin and GevreyChambertin. His winery is in the village of Marsannay-la-Côte. Marsannay, Les Récilles 2015 has some cola and herbal aromas. It is succulent with more smoky fruit flavours and incense on the palate. It is soft and smooth with a long, chocolatey finish. Les Récilles vineyard lies to the west of Marsannay village, where Eric has 4.8 hectares with an average age of 30 years. The wine was in barrel and large oak vats for 12 months using 25% new oak.
9261
Domaine du Vieux Collège, AOC Fixin, Les Champs des Charmes, 2015
2017-2022, M6 D7 Savoury, spice, incense
Pinot Noir $35.83
18°C
Grippy, grainy texture, long finish
$215.00
Quail and porcini ballotine with lentil salsa
2017-2023, M6 D8 Cola, herbs
18°C
Ripe cherries, smoke, incense, chocolate Beef Wellington with spinach and bacon
photo — Jacques Dubois is joined by Jane Masters, MW during the 2016 harvest.
— burgundy Bernard Perrin
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Domaine Dubois Bernard & Fils
Despite being the end of a busy and tiring day harvesting, Bernard Dubois was not going to let us leave without tasting through his gamut of wines. So, as his pickers sorted the last grapes and hosed everything down, we set to it. The three wines I have selected here all showed well on the day and again when re-tasted in London. Denis is the son of a grower whose family have been vignerons since the 1800s. He farms 13 hectares across four villages with no use of pesticides. The vines are an average of 50 years and the three wines were all matured for 15 months in a combination of Vosges and Allier oak barrels
9262
Chorey-lès-Beaune, AOC, Clos Margot, 2015, Dubois Bernard & Fils Pinot Noir $32.67
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$196.00
Clos Margot, Choreylès-Beaune has a distinct, savoury, animal bouquet with more raspberry, cranberry and sour cherry shining through on the palate, combined with vibrant acidity. This is an elegant, yet powerful wine with a firm finish. The grapes were left to cold soak for six days prior to fermentation. It was matured in barrel with 25% new oak from the Vosges and Allier forests.
2017-2023, M6 D7 Marzipan, savoury
18°C
Raspberry, cranberry, sour cherry finish Cornish game hens with wild rice mushroom stuffing
photo — An artisanal sorting table, where grapes are sorted before being placed in tanks to ferment
Order online at Opimian.ca
new
9263
Savigny-lès-Beaune, AOC, Les Ratausses, 2015, Dubois Bernard & Fils Pinot Noir $34.33
9264
Beaune 1er Cru, AOC, Les Bressandes, 2015, Dubois Bernard & Fils Pinot Noir
$206.00
$48.67
$292.00
A solid wine with ripe dark fruit and marzipan aromas, it requires more time in bottle and is currently a bit austere, but its structure suggests it will come around. It is concentrated with a spicy finish. Bernard farms 1.8 hectares in Savigny-lès-Beaune with an average age of 55 years. The wine was fermented with daily pigeage and twice daily pumping over for the first ten days, followed by a further week with daily pump-overs.
Les Bressandes lies in the northwest sector of the Beaune appellation close to Les Mondes Rondes. It is an area which produces the deepest, richest and most complex wines. Deep in colour, the Dubois Bernard & Fils 2015 Les Bressandes is not very forthcoming and will need time to develop. It is tight and concentrated with a firm structure. Some flavours of sour cherry are complemented with savoury flavours. Compared to Billard’s Beaune 1er Cru Les Chouacheux, this is more solid in structure with a little less finesse. Bernard farms 0.75 hectares of 60-year-old vines.
2017-2024, M6 D7
2018-2025, M6 D6
Dark fruits, meaty
18°C
Closed
18°C
Concentrated, firm finish
Concentrated, tight, sour cherry, savoury, solid structure
Beef stew and dumplings
Lamb en Croûte
photo — The ageing cellar at Domaine du Vieux Collège
— burgundy Bernard Perrin
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“Our mission is to assert our style through racy sharp wines that purely express their terroirs and combine finesse and elegance over opulence and exuberance .“
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photo — Cécile Lebrun’s Sancerre vineyards
The Loire Valley The Loire Valley
Alligny-Cosne
We are excited to find a new partner in the Loire Valley. This northern region, named after France’s longest river and renowned for its grand turreted Châteaux, has vineyards throughout the valley running from south of Paris westwards to Muscadet on the Atlantic coast. It is home to Sauvignon, Chenin, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, each made in styles unique to this terroir.
Maison Foucher Lebrun
Maison Foucher Lebrun is a small négociant whose sole focus is the Loire Valley. The company works on strict plot selection, close cooperation with vine-growers in each of the appellations, and inhouse vinifications.
new
9265
new
Touraine Sauvignon, AOC, Cécile Lebrun, 2016 Sauvignon Blanc $14.83
Touraine, AOC, Cécile Lebrun, 9266 2015 Gamay, Cabernet Franc
$89.00
$13.50
$81.00
A simple, light Sauvignon Blanc, it is crisp and refreshing with lemon and lime citrus flavours and zesty acidity. The Touraine vineyards are planted on clay and calcareous soils called Aubuis, and clay silica soils named Perruches, sands and light gravels.
This is a spicy wine with earthy fruits and a hint of leather aroma. It is light to medium-bodied and has firm acidity and tannins with savoury and sour cranberry flavours. The grapes were picked by hand and fermented at low temperature.
2017-2018, M8 D9
2017-2019, M8 D9
Restrained fruit
6°C
Spicy, hint of leather, earth, fruits
Lemon, lime, [00]
Cranberry, savoury notes
Spring green salad with chèvre and caramelized bell pepper in a citrus vinaigrette
Pork and wild mushroom daube
16°C
— the loire valley Maison Foucher Lebrun
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new
9268
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Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine, sur lie, Domaine de la Bretonnière, 2015 Melon de Bourgogne $13.83
9269
Sancerre Blanc, AOC, Cécile Lebrun, 2016 Sauvignon Blanc
$83.00
$27.00
$162.00
Light and crisp, this Muscadet smells of the sea air with iodine and savoury cheese rind notes that complement fresh apples and pears. Light and crisp, less pungent in aroma than Sauvignon Blanc, it is a perfect wine for oysters and other shell fish. Domaine de la Bretonnière vines are planted on schist and amphibolite soil. After fermentation in stainless tanks, the wine was kept on lees in tank for six months.
A light and elegant Sancerre with primary fruit, melon and lime aromas, it has some weight on the palate, developing a steely mineral finish. Cécile Lebrun sources grapes from around the appellation with vines planted on a range of Kimmeridgian white soils (the same as those found in Champagne) and Caillottes (Oxfordian limestone soil) with some Silex soils.
2017-2018, M8 D9
2017-2019, M8 D9
Pears, hint of cheese rind
6°C
Pears, gooseberry
6°C
Light, crisp, [00]
Crisp, mineral finish, [00]
Oysters on the half shell
English pea and goat cheese quiche
new
9267
Vouvray, AOC, Cécile Lebrun, 2016 Chenin Blanc $16.33
$98.00
For those that enjoy Loire Chenin Blanc, this is a find. Nowhere else in the world does Chenin Blanc taste quite the same as from the Loire, a combination of fruit with a dusty edge. Aromas of pears and marzipan precede a sweet attack on the palate, counterbalanced by the natural piercing acidity and flavours of fresh green apples. 2017-2020, M7 D9 Spicy, waxy, pears
6°C
Fresh apples, marzipan, firm acidity, [04] Seafood terrine, Pear and apple cobbler, Bleu d’Auvergne
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photo — In the Loire Valley, Sauvignon Blanc is rarely blended with other grape varieties.
new
9270
Sancerre, Rosé, AOC, Cécile Lebrun, 2016 Pinot Noir $23.00
$138.00
While rosé has been all the rage in many countries over the last few years, in France, the UK and the US, it is not a new phenomenon. Parisians have always had a soft spot for Sancerre rosé and it benefitted from its proximity to the capital city. Produced from Pinot Noir, the 2016 Cécile Lebrun Sancerre rosé is bright in colour with lots of appealing aromas of crushed raspberries with some cassis. It is mediumbodied with refreshing acidity and sour cranberry astringency. new
9272 new
9271
Sancerre Rouge, AOC, Cécile Lebrun, 2015
$17.33
$104.00
In comparison to the Burgundy selection, Sancerre is a lighter style of Pinot Noir, but it still has all the hallmarks of this noble grape. With fresh red berry aromas and redcurrant flavours, this is a simple, easyto-drink classic. 2017-2019, M8 D9
2017-2020, M7 D9
$23.00
2017-2018, M8 D9 6°C
Cabernet Franc
Saumur Champigny “Sous le Château” has distinct Cabernet Franc character with leafy, spicy aromas to the fore, red and earthy forest fruits in the background. Medium-bodied tending towards light, it is well-balanced with flavours of incense and green leaf. It is great value for money and delicious for drinking now or over the next few years. Cabernet Franc is planted on limestone and tufa soils. The wine was matured in French oak barrels for eight months with 10% new oak, but it is the character of the grape variety that shines through.
Pinot Noir
Cassis, crushed raspberry
Saumur Champigny, Sous le Château, AOC, 2015
Red berries
$138.00
16°C
Leafy, herbs, red fruit
18°C
Medium-bodied, cranberry finish, [00]
Redcurrants, smooth
Incense, spice
Thai red curry chicken
Saddle of rabbit in redcurrant sauce
Roast pork rib roast with fingerling potatoes
photo — Located in the heart of the Loire Valley, the Touraine vineyards cover more than 4400 hectares.
— the loire valley Maison Foucher Lebrun
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Languedoc-Roussillon Languedoc-Roussillon
Tuchan
Domaine Jones Katie Jones lived in the very rural Tuchan and worked for the local Caves Mont Tauch, marketing wines for many years before doing her own thing. Originally from Leicestershire in the UK, she fell in love with this rugged landscape over twenty years ago. She bought her first vineyard in 2008 and now owns 12 hectares. Her vineyards are spread across Maury, Paziols and Tuchan. Most are too small, too remote and too much hard work for anyone else to be interested, but she is passionate and determined. Each parcel is tended to and vinified separately in a converted old train shed, previously overnight accommodation for the Tuchan Express, a steam train that ran between 1905 and 1935, and which could reach speeds of up to 5 miles per hour!
“I am living my dream making wines from small, very old vineyards in the picturesque southern French village of Tuchan.“
photo — Pickers at dawn in Katie’s hundred-yearold vineyard in Tuchan
— languedoc-roussillon Domaine Jones
19
new
9273
new
Domaine Jones Grenache, IGP Côtes Catalanes, 2014 Grenache Noir, Carignan $18.50
cellar 251 — Alberta
Domaine Jones, AOP Fitou, Vieilles Vignes, 2015 Carignan, Grenache, Syrah $22.67
$136.00
A tiny bit of Carignan was added to Grenache Noir to create a vibrant wine brimming with earthy forest fruits and berries. Soft and smooth on the palate, it has firm acidity, giving it great balance. Red cherries and menthol flavours emerge mid-palate. Fine in texture, it has a long bitter chocolate and marzipan finish with grip. Produced from Katie’s original plot in Maury in the Roussillon, the vines sit under the imposing Château de Quéribus Cathar castle on black schist soils.
Katie used 20 different plots scattered around Tuchan and Paziols to make her 2015 Fitou; most are over one hundred years old. Understated on the nose with some berry fruits, it is fresh, with great presence on the palate. Savoury flavours emerge with a fruit twist and some chewy, rustic tannins.
2017-2022, M6 D8
2017-2020, M7 D8
Cherries, earthy forest fruits
20
$111.00
9274
18°C
Red fruits, berries
18°C
Smooth, red cherry, chocolate, marzipan
Rustic, savoury, chewy finish
Steak frites
Sausage and white bean cassoulet
photo — Where it all started - Katie’s first Grenache
vineyard near Maury
new
9276
Domaine des Rebouls, AOP Fitou, Famille Astruc, 2015 Carignan, Grenache, Syrah $17.67
$106.00
new
9275
Katie Jones Rouge, Vin de France, 2016 Grenache, Syrah
Sweet, ripe cooked fruits, plum jam with an herbal twist, all precede a soft round palate marked by a vibrant raspberry acidity. Katie Jones Rouge is lively and supple. Produced from a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, all grapes were harvested by hand from 50 to 70-year-old vines.
Capturing all the flavours of the wild and rugged landscape, Domaine des Rebouls Fitou 2015 has aromas of wild flowers and herbs, lavender, rosemary and even a touch of rose with a savoury, celery salt edge. A medium to full-bodied wine with concentration, good mid-palate fruit, depth and rustic tannins, it is made by Katie’s husband Jean-Marc on his family’s estate. 2015 was his first vintage, having had to wait five years for the contract with the local cooperative to expire. In the meantime, he had already started reducing yields and farming his vineyards organically in preparation. It is a blend of 50% Carignan, 20% Grenache and 30% Syrah.
2017-2019, M8 D9
2017-2022, M6 D9
$16.33
Plum, cooked fruits, plum jam, herbs
$98.00
16°C
Wild herbs, lavender, rose
18°C
Raspberries, cranberry
Concentrated, savoury
Roast tomato and basil orecchiette
Wild boar stew with porcini mushrooms
photo — Originating from Spain, Grenache Noir adapted itself very well in the Pays d’Oc.
— languedoc-roussillon Domaine Jones
21
22
cellar 251 — Alberta
Languedoc-Roussillon Languedoc-Roussillon
Combaillaux
BLB Vignobles Domaine de la Jasse is close to the village of Combaillaux in the Hérault, between Pic Saint-Loup and the Terrasses du Larzac. The estate, once used for livestock, was purchased in the 1960s by the Baujard family. The family cleared woodlands, the garrigues and blasted the rocky ground to plant vines. Today, 54 hectares of vines are planted on the 250-hectare estate with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Owner Bruno Le Breton collaborates with Patrick Léon, once technical director for Mouton-Rothschild. These are polished, well-made wines with lots of character.
“Our vineyards have been farmed organically since 2003. We are committed to a sustainable society, undertaking our social and corporate responsibility now and for future generations.“
photo — The vineyard is located about 150 to 200 metres above sea level, mainly exposed east-southeast.
— languedoc-roussillon BLB Vignobles
23
new
9277
Rosé Coeur de Cuvée de la Jasse, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016 Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon $15.00
$90.00
Fresh vinous fruit aromas lead to a wellbalanced, smooth, crisp palate with lemon and blackberry flavours. 2017-2018, M8 D9 Vinous fruits Smooth, crisp, [00] Pizza Margherita
6°C
9278
Vieilles Vignes de la Jasse, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot $15.67
$94.00
A rich, concentrated and structured wine which stands out amongst its peers, it has recently been awarded two medals at Vinalies Internationales and the Concours des Grands Vins du Languedoc-Roussillon. Deep in colour, it has intense cedary, oak spice aromas which dominate the dark fruits. The palate is round and smooth, with mellow ripe cherry flavours. 2017-2020, M7 D9 Spicy oak, dark fruits
18°C
Smooth, ripe cherries, oak Rosemary lamb with Swiss chard and balsamic-glazed baby carrots
Last day to order August 11, 2017
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cellar 251 — Alberta
photo — Bruno Le Breton, winemaker and owner, welcomes you to La Jasse.
new
9279
Réserve d’Excellence de la Jasse, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2015, Élevé en fûts de Chêne Cabernet Sauvignon $16.67
$100.00
de Cuvée de la Jasse, IGP 9280 Tête Pays d’Oc, 2015
Restrained spices with a hint of green leaf typical of Cabernet Sauvignon are complemented by a toasty oak element. The palate is soft and juicy with ripe fruit flavours, concentration and balance. The oak is wellintegrated, creating a smooth and classy polished wine. It is produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, from 30 to 35-year-old vines. After a cold maceration at 12°C for three to four days, the wine was fermented and macerated on skins for four weeks, then aged for 18 months in oak barrels.
Produced from the oldest vines on the estate, Tête de Cuvée de la Jasse 2015 is complex with mellow fruit aromas with incense, smoke, vanilla, ginger and red cherries. Matured for 16 months in the finest French oak barrels, the oak is fully integrated with succulent ripe fruits and a rich, concentrated palate.
2017-2022, M6 D7
2017-2024, M6 D8
Restrained spice, leafy
18°C
Cabernet Sauvignon $17.83
Mellow, incense, smoke, ginger
$107.00
18°C
Ripe dark fruits, toast
Complex, succulent fruit, concentrated
Braised short ribs with herb-roasted baby Yukon gold potatoes
Prime aged Côte de Boeuf with roasted carrots and shallots
photo — Freshly picked Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at optimal phenolic ripeness
— languedoc-roussillon BLB Vignobles
25
“We create wines which are soft and fruity, yet well-structured.“
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cellar 251 — Alberta
photo — Carignan prior to veraison - one of the most widely planted varieties in the Languedoc-Roussillon
Languedoc-Roussillon Languedoc-Roussillon
Carcassonne
LGI Wines
9281
LGI is based in the fortified city of Carcassonne. It is a city with 2,500 years of history, strategically situated between historic trade routes between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the Massif Central and the Pyrenees. Surrounded by the Corbières, Minervois, and Limoux regions, it specializes in wines and Domaines from the south and southwest of France.
Lagarde, Blanc, IGP Comté Tolosan, 2016 Ugni Blanc, Colombard $9.75
$117.00
Aromatic, with intense passion fruit, gooseberry and lime, it is a well-made, crisp and flavoursome example of Comté Tolosan from the southwest of France. The cool influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the proximity of the Pyrenees create a cool climate for full flavour development and relatively low alcohol (11.5%). 2017-2018, M8 D9 Gooseberry, lime
6°C
Light, crisp, limey finish, [00] Pan-seared tilapia with chili-lime butter
— languedoc-roussillon LGI Wines
27
9282
Lagarde, Rouge, IGP Pays d’Hérault, 2016 Carignan, Grenache $117.00
$9.75
Soft and very drinkable with succulent fruits, mulberry flavours and other ripe fruit, the grapes were sourced from the south and southwest of France. 2017-2019, M8 D9 Mulberries, ripe fruits
16°C
Succulent fruit, soft, easy Pork chops with caramelized onions and cherry tomato jam
new
9283
Tortoise Creek Carignan, “Vieilles Vignes”, IGP Pays d’Hérault, 2016
cellar 251 — Alberta
$132.00
$11.92
$143.00
Delicious aromas of ripe blackberries and blueberries are followed by a supple, concentrated fruit palate with dark fruit and vanilla. Produced from old vine Carignan, it has some residual sweetness, to balance the acidity, and a kiss of oak.
A Pinot Noir from Southern France to rival most simple Bourgogne rouges, it is bright in color with mellow red cherry aromas. A medium-bodied wine made by Marilyn Lasserre, it is round and smooth with weight and ripe fruits on the finish, and some grip. Pinot Noir is grown in the cool region of Limoux on stony clay limestone soils.
2017-2020, M8 D9
2017-2019, M8 D9
Blackberries, blueberries
28
Lasserre, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016
Pinot Noir
Carignan $11.00
Les Argelières, Pinot Noir,
9284 Grande Cuvée, Marilyn
18° C
Red cherries
18°C
Vanilla, cooked dark fruits
Smooth, red fruits
Wine-braised beef brisket with root vegetables
Grilled salmon with sweet onions and red bell peppers
photo — The fortified walls of the medieval city of Carcassonne
new
9285
Domaine Saint-Martin, Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon, IGP Cité de Carcassonne, 2016 Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon $13.50
$81.00
Domaine Saint-Martin is located 10 kilometres south of the medieval city of Carcassonne, in the heart of Cathar country. It is run by Henri Cases, whose family has owned the Domaine since 1919. It is nestled in a little valley in the foothills of the Corbières Massif mountains. This blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon is vibrant in colour with herbal and soft ripe fruit aromas. The palate reveals flavours of mulberries, bitter chocolate and a savoury finish. 2017-2020, M8 D9 Herbal, ripe fruits
18°C
9286
TRI-VIA, AOP Corbières, Domaine des Trois Voies, 2015 Syrah, Grenache $15.00
$90.00
Domaine des Trois Voies, in the small village of Talairan, lies at a medieval crossroads of three paths. Tri-Via 2015 has a savoury aroma with black olive and black cherry. It is succulent with ripe dark fruit flavours, good concentration with bitter cherry and a chocolate finish. Syrah and Grenache vines are cultivated on stony clay soils. All grapes were harvested by hand and sorted at the winery prior to fermentation and maceration, for four to five weeks, on skins. 2017-2020, M7 D9 Savoury, black olive, black cherries
18°C
Ripe dark fruits, succulent, bitter cherries, chocolate finish Cassoulet with duck confit
Mulberries, bitter chocolate Rustic French meatloaf with boiled potatoes
photo — Comté Tolosan is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the proximity of the Pyrenees.
— languedoc-roussillon LGI Wines
29
“Domaine Peirière has been in my family since 1776. Just like my ancestors, I run the estate with the same enthusiasm and –Olivier Mandeville Peirière dedication.“
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cellar 251 — Alberta
photo — Domaine Peirière is located in the heart of the Minervois, at the foot of the Montagne Noire.
Languedoc-Roussillon
Paul Sapin
Languedoc-Roussillon
Thierry Coulon runs the French wine merchant Paul Sapin based in southern Mâcon. Under Thierry’s leadership the company invested in the Languedoc through the purchase of Château Blomac and works closely with Olivier Mandeville Peirière at Domaine Peirière.
9288
Maison Belleroche, Cabernet Sauvignon, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon $10.17
$122.00
Blackcurrants, blackberries and green leaf aromas precede a sweet medium-bodied palate with mellow floral notes. Cabernet Sauvignon is planted on chalky hillsides in the Languedoc close to Béziers. 2017-2019, M8 D9 Leafy, blackberries
18°C
Coffee, black fruits Grilled balsamic flank steak wrap
— languedoc-roussillon Paul Sapin
31
9289
Maison Belleroche, Malbec, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016
Domaine Peirière Réserve Merlot, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016
Malbec $10.25
Merlot $123.00
Given Malbec’s huge success and popularity in Argentina, where it is by far the most planted black grape, it is strange that there is not much more planted in other regions. This southern French version has floral, dark fruit aromas with medium body and grainy, grippy tannins. 2017-2019, M8 D9 Floral, dark fruits
32
18°C
9290 Wine for 2
9291
$10.25 $123.00 $10.00 $60.00
Domaine Peirière, in the heart of Minervois, has been run by Olivier Mandeville Peirière for the last thirty years. Olivier can trace his family roots in the region back 400 years. Today, his daughter Virginie works with him. The estate benefits from its proximity to the Montagne Noire which brings cool relief in the summer. Olivier’s 2016 Merlot is a structured wine with herbal, leafy notes, fruit and a firm, savoury finish.
2017-2019, M8 D9 Green leaf, herbs
Grainy, grippy finish
Fruit, savoury edge, firm finish
Pappardelle with lamb ragù
Eggplant and polenta parmigiana
cellar 251 — Alberta
18°C
photo — Maison Belleroche Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in the heart of Languedoc
Domaine Blomac Chardonnay, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016 Chardonnay $11.08
9294
$133.00 $10.17
Wine for 2
9295
9292
Domaine Peirière Réserve Syrah, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016 Syrah $10.42
9293
$61.00
Domaine Peirière Réserve Viognier, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016 Viognier
$125.00
$10.75
$129.00
Olivier’s 2016 Syrah is a serious wine, given the price. A bit subdued on the nose, it has hints of smoke and coal. The palate is structured, medium-bodied and well-balanced with ripe blackberry fruit flavours. Syrah is grown in parcels along the banks of the Canal du Midi on light soils with high mineral content. Olivier combines both traditional and Burgundian vinification techniques.
Olivier Mandeville Peirière was one of the first vignerons to believe in the potential of Viognier in the Languedoc and has proven that the arid climate of the south suits this grape variety. His 2016 has white fruits and peachy aromas. It is smooth and dry with ripe melon flavours and a lingering white peach flavour.
Château Blomac is a 130-hectare estate owned by Paul Sapin. The vineyards, which lie in the Minervois appellation area, are tended to by Olivier Mandeville Peirière in collaboration with Paul Sapin. Chardonnay is grown on cooler plots, on either side of the Canal du Midi, and on light soils. The 2016 is light and fruity with ripe Galia melon and lemon flavours.
2017-2019, M8 D9
2017-2018, M8 D9
2017-2018, M8 D9
Smoke, dark fruit
18°C
Peaches, white fruits
6°C
Galia melon, lemon
Blackberries, ripe fruits
Ripe melon, white peach, [01]
White fruits, light, [01]
Five-Spice duck breast with blackberries
Chicken korma on basmati rice
Seared scallops with lemon aïoli
photo — Oenologists Catherine Crozet and Thierry Coulon with Olivier Mandeville Peirière at Domaine Peirière
6°C
— languedoc-roussillon Paul Sapin
33
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cellar 251 — Alberta
Languedoc-Roussillon Languedoc-Roussillon
Rustiques
Château Canet Château Canet, in Rustiques in the Minervois, is a traditional 19th century wine estate which Floris and his wife Vicky have called home for 11 years. As well as 50 hectares of vineyards, the couple tend to the olive groves and bees for their own production of olive oil and honey. The original winemaker’s cottages have been converted into luxury holiday accommodation and it’s a great place to stay, close to Carcassonne. Vineyards benefit from the cool northerly Cers breeze and the sea winds blowing in from the Mediterranean coast.
“We share our passion with the people around the world who have followed our adventure during the past 10 years.“
photo — Combined, the Château Canet team has more than 100 years of experience in the vineyards.
— languedoc-roussillon Château Canet
35
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9296
Sauvignon, Baronnie de Canet, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016 Sauvignon Blanc $12.17
9297
Chardonnay, Baronnie de Canet, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016 Chardonnay
$73.00
$12.17
9298
Syrah Rosé, Baronnie de Canet, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016 Syrah
$73.00
$12.17
$73.00
This is a refreshingly light and tangy Sauvignon Blanc, produced from grapes grown south of Carcassonne. It has lemon citrus fruit flavours captured through early harvesting of the grapes. A short skin contact was followed by pressing the grapes and fermentation at low temperature.
Subtle white fruits, pears, and melon with a hint of banana combine in a smooth, balanced wine, soft and easy to drink. Chardonnay grapes are grown in Limoux, a region with a stronger Atlantic influence than other regions in the Languedoc, hence a cooler climate.
Pale baby pink in colour, Baronnie de Canet Syrah Rosé is produced from 100% Syrah with flavours of red fruits and a fresh, crisp palate. Syrah was grown in the Balcons de l’Aude sub-region of Minervois on clay limestone soils, benefitting from the cool Cers wind blowing in from the Atlantic.
2017-2018, M8 D9
2017-2018, M8 D9
2017-2018, M8 D9
Lemon, lime
36
6°C
White fruits, pears, banana
6°C
Fruity
Fruity, tangy, crisp finish, [00]
Soft, smooth, white fruits, [00]
Soft, light, crisp finish, [00]
Ceviche
Sushi and sashimi
Cajun shrimp salad
cellar 251 — Alberta
6°C
photo — “Déjeuner sur l’herbe” - lunch in the olive grove at Château Canet
9299
Merlot, Baronnie de Canet, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016 Merlot $12.17
Canet, Picpoul de 9300 Vignobles Pinet, AOP, Tête de Cuvée, 2016 $73.00 Picpoul
A very drinkable Merlot with ripe berry fruits, apples, banana, raspberry and mulberry flavours, it is soft and well-balanced. The grapes were destemmed, lightly crushed and left to cold soak for three to four days at low temperature. After a cool fermentation, it was matured in tank for eight months.
Picpoul is the name of the grape, Picpoul de Pinet the appellation which lies between Sète on the Mediterranean coast and Pézenas behind the Étang de Thau. Lemon and apple blossom aromas lead to a fresh palate, smooth with a crisp citrus finish.
2017-2019, M8 D9
2017-2018, M8 D9
Raspberries, apples, mulberries
18°C
$14.33
Green apples, white blossom
Red berry fruits, soft, easy
Fresh apple, lemon, [00]
Charcuterie
Lemon pepper squid
$86.00
6°C
— languedoc-roussillon Château Canet
37
9301
Domaine Canet, Syrah, IGP Pays d’Oc, 2016 Syrah $13.50
Château Canet, AOP Minervois, Rouge, 2016 Syrah, Grenache
$81.00
A great Syrah character with aromas of blueberries, coal and black cherry, the Domaine Canet Syrah 2016 is supple and medium-bodied with ripe dark cherry flavours reminiscent of Crozes-Hermitage in the Rhône. The grapes were harvested at night, benefitting from the cooler temperature. After a cold maceration for four days, the grapes were fermented at 26°C. 2017-2020, M7 D8 Blueberries, black cherries, smoke
9302
$15.50
$93.00
Floris’s 2016 Minervois Rouge is a deep vibrant plum colour with blackberry, cherry and other ripe fruit flavours. It is concentrated with good weight. Produced from a blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, the grapes were fermented and 15% of the wine matured for 12 months in oak. 2017-2020, M7 D9
18°C
Ripe dark fruits
Blackberries
Lamb stew with cipollini onions and potatoes
Concentrated, ripe fruits
18°C
Duck parmentier
38
cellar 251 — Alberta
photo — The cellar is where Floris feels most comfortable.
9303
Canet Family Réserve, AOP Minervois, 2016 Syrah, Grenache $16.50
Not sure what to order? One of our Wine Concierges can help! 800-361-9421
Château Canet Les Evangiles, AOP Minervois, 2015 Syrah
$99.00
$28.83
$173.00
Vicky and Floris met in Burgundy. She is from Canada, he is Dutch, and between them they have family around the world, all of whom enjoy a glass or two of wine. Château Canet Family Réserve is produced from their favorite barrel and bottled to share on family occasions. The 2016, a blend of 85% Syrah and 15% Grenache, is a dense, deep purple in colour with mellow ripe fruit aromas of fresh blackberries and blackcurrants. It is soft and mouth-filling, rich and vibrant.
Les Évangiles is a specific plot of old Syrah vines within the estate which produces low yields of intensely concentrated grapes, just 18 hectolitres per hectare in 2015. The 2016 is complex with savoury oak, spice, vanilla and musky notes in the bouquet. The palate is rich and succulent with lots of dark fruits, a savoury edge and woody, animal notes. Les Évangiles lies on the highest land, with deep soils of clay and limestone. The grapes undergo a long, slow fermentation with daily punching down of the cap by foot. The wine was matured in oak barrels, 30% new, 40% one-year-old and 30% two-year-old barrels. Delicious to drink now, it will continue to be so for years to come.
2017-2022, M6 D9
2017-2023, M6 D8
Mellow, ripe fruit, fresh blackberries, blackcurrants
photo — Dudley helping with the harvest
9304
18°C
Savoury, vanilla, spice
18°C
Ripe dark fruits, vibrant acidity
Succulent fruit, savoury edge, woody, animal notes
Filet mignon with Roquefort
Slow-cooked lamb shanks with wild mushrooms
— languedoc-roussillon Château Canet
39
“In a region that concentrates on rosé wines, we are focusing on making complex, elegant red wines with long ageing potential .“
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cellar 251 — Alberta
photo — Proprietors Bengt and Mette Sundström are passionate about art. The terrace features a sculpture.
Provence Provence
Rians-en-Provence
Château Vignelaure, in the Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, sits on a limestone plateau near Rians. The terroir, with its high limestone and clay content, was identified in the 1960s by Georges Brunet, from Bordeaux, as being perfect for high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon rather than more obvious Mediterranean grape varieties.
Château Vignelaure
The estate currently has 56 hectares of vines over three distinct areas with varying proportions of limestone, clay and gravel. Each one suits singular grape varieties and produces grapes with different flavour characteristics. Château Vignelaure is owned by Bengt and Mette Sundström with vineyards managed and wines made by Philippe Bru. The wines are high in quality, with incredible finesse and surprising longevity.
new
9306
Le Page Vignelaure Blanc, IGP Méditerranée, 2015 Rolle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Roussanne $18.33
$110.00
9307
Le Page Vignelaure Rouge, IGP Méditerranée, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Le Page Vignelaure white is an interesting blend of Mediterranean grape varieties, Rolle and Roussanne, with the more widespread Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. This is a refreshing and elegant wine with subtle melon and pear flavours, a smooth, dry palate and crisp finish. The grapes were harvested starting September 7th, 2015. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks with just 10% in 400-litre oak barrels.
A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot from selected plots on the estate, it is deep in colour with black cherry aromas, good mid-palate fruit and a fine texture. A good vintage at Château Vignelaure and for France generally, this wine is youthful with some years ahead to look forward to.
2017-2018, M8 D9
2017-2024, M6 D8
Melon, pear
6°C
$18.33
$110.00
Earthy, black cherries
Smooth, dry, [00]
Grainy texture
Steamed mussels in white wine broth
Potato gnocchi with duck ragù
18°C
— provence Château Vignelaure
41
9308
La Source, Château Vignelaure, Rosé, AOC Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, 2016
mixed Vintages case
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carignan
Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon $18.33
$110.00
A pale pink rosé produced from a blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 20% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, it has appealing fruit with a smooth, soft mouthfeel, ending on lemony notes. A mild and dry winter and spring were followed by a hot and dry summer, leading to an early harvest. Each variety was picked and vinified separately.
La Source, Château Vignelaure, AOC Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, 2010
9309
La Source, Château Vignelaure, AOC Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence $18.33
$110.00
La Source Vignelaure is produced from nine hectares within the estate. Majority grape varieties in the blend are always Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Some years a small proportion of Carignan, up to 10%, may be used. La Source is part-aged in oak barrels for 12 months.
The 2010 La Source Vignelaure is showing some nice maturity with a developed brick red hue. On the nose, there are aromas of red fruits, spice, incense and treacle with a slightly dried flower, potpourri edge. The 2010 is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah and 10% Carignan. Winter was rainy, and water reserves in the soil were fully topped up. A sunny, dry summer allowed full ripening of the grapes with harvest starting on September 25th. 2017-2020, M8 D9
Two bottles each 2010, 2012 & 2014
Treacle, incense, red fruits, potpourri
18°C
Spice Rabbit with capsicum and olives
2017-2018, M8 D9 White and red fruits
6°C
Light, crisp, lemon finish, [00] Swordfish Niçoise
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cellar 251 — Alberta
photo — The red wine ageing cellar is dug into hard limestone rock and houses 300 oak barrels.
La Source, Château Vignelaure, AOC Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, 2012
La Source, Château Vignelaure, AOC Côteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, 2014
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carignan A cold winter was followed by a very dry summer, resulting in some hillside plots potentially suffering from hydric stress, but this does not show in the wine. The 2012 is restrained with aromas of fresh plums and ginger spice. It has good weight and body with depth. While it is enjoyable now, it has lots of cellaring potential. Personally, I would keep this for a few years before drinking. 2017-2024, M6 D8 Plums, spicy ginger
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
La Source Vignelaure 2014 has lots of appeal, but a little less potential for ageing, although there is certainly no hurry to drink it up! Its charm lies in its vibrant ripe fruits, plums and mulberries, combined with coconut notes. The palate is juicy, the lighter side of mediumbodied with red berry flavours and good length. No Carignan was used in the blend in 2014 so it is a 50:50 assemblage of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Winter was rainy and mild with early budburst and good weather during flowering. Summer temperatures were a little below average.
18°C
2017-2022, M6 D9
Concentrated Grilled Black Angus entrecôte with béarnaise sauce, carrots and green beans
Mulberries, ripe plums, coconut
18°C
Red berry fruits Pan-seared venison medallions with balsamic-red berry sauce
evolution aroma
16
°C
Château Vignelaure, AOC Côteaux d’Aixen-Provence, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah $28.00
9310
$168.00 $61.67
9311
$185.00
Tasting the 2013 Château Vignelaure gives no indication as to just how difficult a vintage it was. This is a dense and complex wine with aromas of cherries, menthol and vanilla. The palate is soft and smooth with a grainy, powdery texture and lots of fresh mid-palate fruits. It is supple and medium-bodied with a long vanilla, nutmeg and bitter cherry finish. A long cold winter and spring led to late budburst and the vineyard was hit by two hail storms on July 7th and July 17th. Harvest came in two weeks later than the norm. A very strict grape selection was carried out in the vineyard so that yields were low, but well worth the effort. After a long maceration in tank, the wine was matured for 24 months in barrel, 20% new. 2017-2025, M6 D7
taste ideal with
Complex, cherries, menthol, vanilla
18°C
Vanilla, nutmeg, bitter cherry, smooth, grainy texture Rack of lamb Provençal with boulangère potatoes and courgettes
— provence Château Vignelaure
43
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.
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 LGI Wines.
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