ORDER APR 29 - JUN 1, 2026
• SOUTH AFRICA5 DAYS, 382 WINES, 3 COUPS DE COEUR AND 367 YEARS IN THE MAKING: DISCOVER WHY THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY SOUTH AFRICA ON PAGE 6.
• AUSTRIAA NEW EUROPEAN CLASSIC - DISCOVER THE PRECISION AND ENERGY OF WEINGUT KRISPEL, ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S RISING BENCHMARK ESTATES. PAGE 12.
• BORDEAUX, THE OPIMIAN WAYCLOS CANTENAC AND CHÂTEAU SÉRAPHINE — RIGHT BANK DISCOVERIES RESERVED FOR OPIMIAN MEMBERS.
Martin Krajewski, who had a sterling career in the City, tells a story about how he was duped into investing in a ramshackle winery with holes in everything from the walls to the upholstery, and ended up making some of the best rosé going. Did wine soften his investment savvy, or did he see the potential from afar? One suspects the latter: he pours an unbeatable combination of affection and energy into Clos Cantenac and Château Séraphine, having previously spent twelve years renovating and improving Château de Sours (sold to Jack Ma in 2015). It must be in the genes, because his daughter, Charlotte, is Technical Director and Chief Winemaker at both properties (to sky-high acclaim). In a relatively short time, father and daughter have built a reputation for knock-it-outof-the-park Merlot that blends concentration and silkiness. These are some of the highestscoring wines we’ve ever tasted. Trying their wines reveals what silken cloth is made of.
$ 35 $ 210
Medium purple hue. Fresh, juicy and very come-hither, this has a crystalline purity, with blackcurrant fruit pastille, cooked plum and black cherry. On the palate, the silky, suave tannins carry a wave of gorgeous black-cherry fruit, allied to cinnamon, plum, and dark chocolate. The finish is superb: long and finely balanced. 2026-2029– mp
CLOS CANTENAC: THE BORDEAUX BENCHMARK OUR MWS MEASURE ALL OTHERS AGAINST.
By Michael Palij MW
This is, somewhat incredibly, the 367th year that South Africa has been making wine.
It is a legacy nearly as old as the hills; only the hills win because the Stellenbosch soils are at least 250 million years old. It hasn't been smooth sailing for four centuries: war, apartheid, drought, and violence have all contributed to a viticultural crucible that, 400 years later, is finding its own way in the wider wine world. In the early 1970s, producers such as Simonsig, supported by the emerging ‘Wine of Origin’ scheme, introduced the world to what Stellenbosch had to offer. Not only is this the birthplace of Cap Classique (now a national treasure), but it is also a region that delivers world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. Does it get better? Possibly, possibly not. Stellenbosch is that irresistible
Founder’s Choice is a six-bottle program featuring a premium red wine selected for both immediate enjoyment and cellaring potential. These wines are chosen for balance, structure, and longevity—perfect for enjoying now or laying down for the future.
'middle road' between Cali’s turbo-charged beasts and Bordeaux’s old-school cool. Not satisfied with just one new producer, we've been busy finding the very best for Opimian members, including The High Road and Miles Mossop's new gig. And what about New Dawn, the baby of former StarkCondé winemaker Rüdger van Wyk? He is a past master with both Chenin and Cabernet. Try his approachable blends and try not to be blown away by their unbelievable value.
We’re on a roll. Krispel is a very good place to start for those who drink Anything But Red. This is a family-run Austrian winery with strong sustainable credentials, producing wines that the governing body describes as ‘outstanding’.
In case withdrawal symptoms from the classics are setting in, this is also the Bordeaux issue, featuring Château Séraphine (Pomerol) and Clos Cantenac (Saint-Émilion), the hottest properties in town. Don’t look now, but we have secured magnums and double magnums of Clos Cantenac, so you can enjoy the 2024 vintage for years to come. With Charlotte Krajewski at the helm, both estates are breaking the scales with their epic quality.
@Opimian.ca
Our member service team is here to help. From placing orders and tracking deliveries to resolving damaged bottles or unmet expectations, we offer personalized, prompt, and expert assistance -- ensuring your wine experience with us is seamless, enjoyable, and always well cared for. Reach out at memberservice@opimian.ca.
The Masters Case also includes six bottles, but offers two bottles each of three different wines. Selected by Opimian’s Masters of Wine, it highlights diverse expressions from a single producer or region, showcasing depth, contrast, and craftsmanship.
Everything But Red responds to growing Member interest in whites and other non-red styles. Each offering includes a case of premium wines that are fresh, vibrant, and versatile—ideal for entertaining or everyday enjoyment.
OUR MASTERS OF WINE'S FAVOURITE WINES IN THIS CELLAR
Natasha Hughes MW is an internationally respected Master of Wine, awarded the title in 2014 with four prizes, including the Outstanding Achievement Award. A former Decanter deputy editor, she is now a freelance journalist, author of The Wines of Beaujolais (2025), an international wine judge, consultant, educator, and a Council member of the Institute of Masters of Wine.
MICHAEL'S COUPS DE COEUR
SIMONSIG PICK OF THE BUNCH PINOTAGE, STELLENBOSCH, 2024, LOT 6046, P9
KRISPEL STRADEN
SAUVIGNON BLANC, VULKANLAND
STEIERMARK DAC, 2024, LOT 6052, P14
SIMONSIG TIARA, STELLENBOSCH, 2020, LOT 6048, P9
NATASHA'S COUPS DE COEUR
CHÂTEAU HAUT POUGNAN, AOC ENTRE-DEUX-MERS, 2024, LOT 6070, P20
NEW DAWN BY RÜDGER VAN WYK RED, WESTERN CAPE, 2024, LOT 6095, P10
LA DEVINE DU CLOS CANTENAC, AOC SAINT-ÉMILION GRAND CRU, 2024, LOT 6097, P2
Michael Palij MW is a Canadian-born, internationally recognized Master of Wine. An entrepreneur with a deep passion for Italian wines, he brings decades of experience working closely with leading Italian producers and has played a key role in curating many of Opimian’s most acclaimed Italian offerings.
The appointment of Miles Mossop as Consultant Winemaker in 2018 was surely a masterstroke. South African winemaking blue blood, from a family steeped in Cape heritage, he holds a BSc in geology and a further degree in Viticulture and Enology from Stellenbosch University (where he graduated top of class). He has previously been Chairman of the Cape Winemakers Guild. Though Miles defines his philosophy as ‘letting nature go about its business’, this is surely no more than an attempt at self-deprecation, for he has a nose for site selection along with peerless winemaking ability. Not surprisingly, the scores come thick and fast, although this is more than serendipity. Stellenbosch has a real affinity with Bordeaux varieties. The coolness of the Cape breeze and the shale and granitic soils – their base formed many thousands of millennia ago – is a canvas on which winemakers like Miles apply many a successful brushstroke.
6041
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Medium ruby hue. A nicely made Bordeaux blend that delivers terrific value for money. There is a dense, complex array of fruity and savoury flavours, precisely balanced with the structural elements of bright acidity and firm tannins. A rich, affordable masterpiece to savour. 2026-2032– nh
6042
THE HIGH ROAD CABERNET SAUVIGNON, STELLENBOSCH, 2022
Cabernet Sauvignon
Medium ruby hue. Firmly structured, with grippy, chewy tannins providing a framework for the vivid blackcurrant and dark cherry fruit. There's some oak influence here, too, but it's not overdone. Nicely balanced. 2026-2032– nh
Grilled ribeye with peppercorns
THE HIGH ROAD DIRECTOR'S RESERVE, STELLENBOSCH, 2020
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot
A big, bold wine, but not one that lacks sophistication and elegance. Right now, the tannins are quite prominent but finegrained, and the fruit's density suggests there's plenty of time for them to integrate. A luxury, but a terrific example of top winemaking in the Cape. 2028-2040 – nh
THE HIGH ROAD DIRECTOR'S RESERVE, STELLENBOSCH, 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
An elegant, refined New World take on a Bordeaux blend. The tannins exert some grip, but they're well-handled and in balance with the rich, layered palate, which shows both red and dark fruits. There's the beginning of some development here, but this wine has a long, long life ahead of it. 2026-2040 – nh
6043
THE HIGH ROAD DIRECTOR'S RESERVE CASE: 3 BOTTLES EACH:
But which one to drink? The 2020 ran off with the 'Best Bordeaux Blend' Trophy at the Fine Wine Awards (South Africa), indicating its pedigree. Just reward, one might say, for the team at The High Road that focuses exclusively on Bordeaux varieties. The berries are hand-sorted, and the barriques are sourced from top-tier French cooperages, such as Tonnelerie Sylvain and Taransaud. It is a diligent effort, with each variety matured separately for up to 20 months before the final assemblage, which is always Cabernet Sauvignondominant. Enjoy the power of the 2020, which is drinking wonderfully, and store the 2021 away to age gracefully—just a suggestion.
Lost in the passage of time? Simonsig founder Frans Malan travelled to Champagne in the late 1960s on a fact-finding mission and returned to South Africa suitably inspired. 1971 saw the release of his Kaapse Vonkel, the forerunner to Cap Classique, replete with its own box and brochure. This may all sound humdrum, but the traditional method wasn’t on the menu before his move. For the first time, South Africa had its own sparkling wine of which it could be rightfully proud. Simonsig have continued to set the pace across a broad spectrum of styles. Chenin Blanc, South Africa’s own white, is here, of course, although fashioned with the same facility with which the winery handles the red varieties. The Pinotage is as complete as it gets, offering leagues of luscious ripe fruit, while the Tiara blend is a lesson in refinement.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SIMONSIG FAMILY VINEYARDS
6044
SIMONSIG STARTING BLOCKS CHENIN BLANC, STELLENBOSCH, 2025
Blanc
Medium lemon hue. Crisp and brisk, with ample fruit, but light years away from Loirestyle Chenin Blanc, with a focus on tropical fruit characters tinged with a contrasting herbaceous element. 2026-2028 – nh
THE MALAN FAMILY HAS BEEN FARMING THESE STELLENBOSCH SLOPES SINCE 1688, MAKING IT ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S OLDEST WINE FARMS.
scallops, corn
6045
SIMONSIG CABERNET SAUVIGNON MERLOT, STELLENBOSCH, 2024
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
$ 20 $ 120
Medium ruby hue. A nicely made Bordeaux blend that delivers terrific value for money. Dense, rich fruit in precise balance with the structural elements in this wine – bright acidity and firm tannins. 2026-2032– nh
herbs, blackcurrant, clove
Bay leaves, oak spice, red plum
Beef tenderloin with rosemary jus
6046
SIMONSIG PICK OF THE BUNCH PINOTAGE, STELLENBOSCH, 2024
6047
SIMONSIG LABYRINTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON, STELLENBOSCH, 2022
6048 SIMONSIG TIARA, STELLENBOSCH, 2020
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
Deep garnet hue. WOW – this is a fabulous glass of exceptionally well-balanced, fullbodied New World red. Lovely nose, with eucalyptus, mint, black pepper, thyme, bay, black olive and hedgerow. Gorgeous mix of black fruit and pleasing vegetal notes on the palate – it’s got the power one would expect but the elegance that one wouldn't. Fine tannins and crisp acidity are allied to stacks of fruit, and together they drive a most satisfying finish that stays for almost a minute. Wonderful! 2026-2028 – mp
Medium purple, pronounced and fresh nose with ripe red currant, boysenberry, black cherry, almond, licorice, and cinnamon. The palate is correspondingly juicy and ripe with layers of red cherry, rose petal and marzipan. The finish looks to the alcohol for a lead but wraps up the ripe fruit and pleasantly astringent tannins. This is a Pinotage for those who don’t like the grape. At this price, it represents astonishing value. Simonsig are making seriously genius wines. 2026-2028 –mp
Deep ruby hue. Complex and delightful, with a tight core of ripe black fruit, including Byng cherry, cassis, crushed blueberry, menthol, and eucalyptus, alongside vanilla and coconut. The palate leads with surprisingly robust structure, including firm tannins and mouth-watering acidity. Black-fruit layers seamlessly sit on discreet oak, and together they drive a long, rounded finish that leaves one wanting another glass. Great food and wine! 2026-2028 – mp
Blackberry, cassis, black olive, hedgerow
Venison loin finished with juniper glaze
Rudger Van Wyk, who as a youngster (let’s be kind, he’s still a youngster) drew much inspiration from working a harvest in Burgundy, is what the French call a ‘gaillard’: a big, strapping fellow with a twinkle in his eye. As a man of colour, he has at times had to navigate rather choppy waters to establish himself as a winemaker, and yet here he is with his unstoppable new
brand. In truth, he has made his own luck – Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé programme, a stint at Kanonkop, seven years with Stark-Condé, and recognition as one of South Africa’s most dynamic young talents. New Dawn, his next step, is a concept of accessible excellence. Do not be fooled into thinking these are ordinary wines. Look closely and you will see touches of brilliance, such as the inclusion of Verdelho in his white blend, demonstrating an understanding of freshness. He has fermented with native yeasts, which takes skill, and he nails it. The three months’ lees contact – adding creamy weight – is another excellent move, rounding off an unmissable wine at this price point.
6095
Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsaut, Carignan
lemon hue. Candle wax, ripe banana, red apple and peach with lanolin, cinnamon and linden. The palate is lovely – blossom and stone fruit notes that mark this out as a thoroughly competent, great value white with a graceful finish. 2026-2028 – mp
Pale ruby hue. A joyously juicy blend that results in a palate packed full of perfumed fruit. Brisk acidity and slightly chewy tannins provide structure and focus. Terrific value – just the kind of bottle I want to open after a hard day's work! 2026-2028 – nh
Pale ruby hue. Lots of vibrant energy in this wine, with fruit that almost jumps out of the glass to meet your nose! The well-handled tannins exert a gentle drag on the palate, typical of wines made from grapes grown on granitic soils. Totally delicious. 2026-2030 –nh
and
6092
WHISKY
G. ROZELIEURES SINGLE MALT WHISKY CASE: 1 BOTTLE EACH
$ 100 $ 300
Rozelieures offers rare terroirdriven authenticity: the barrels, barley, malting, distillation, and maturation all come from the local area—something few of Scotland’s 150+ distilleries could claim. Their whiskies mature in four cellars (‘chai’), each with distinct conditions. The most striking is a former military fortress, partly carved into rock 420 m above Nancy, once active with uniformed personnel until the 2000s. Its unique environment adds weight and texture to the spirit, expanding blending possibilities. Distillation uses traditional alembic stills, producing a rich, ester-laden style—
proof that French whisky can be surprisingly compelling.
LOOK FOR LE GIN DE CHRISTIAN DROUIN ONLINE, LOT 6090
MALT
Pale amber. Discreet and elegant nose with rusk, porridge oat, bran, red apple, peach, heather and dried honey. A most ‘Scottish’ whisky, there is a Speyside delicacy complete with a hint of woodsmoke and cured meat. In the mouth this is antithetical to the Marsala Cask Finish, with a delicate, honeyed and floral entry, gentle drying midpalate and gorgeous finish that heroes the concentration rather than the alcohol.– mp
Deep amber. Pronounced nose with caramel, toffee, dark chocolate Kit-Kat, porridge oats, tinned pear, honeysuckle and marzipan. Bold, dramatic even, very intense palate with notes of shortbread, baked apple and salted cashew. The palate is driven by the warming alcohol but finishes with a broad swathe of ripe, almost sweet orchard fruit. – mp
Medium amber. Intriguing nose that combines notes of toffee apple, barley sugar, cooked apricot and pine balsam. Fullbodied and uncompromising, this has a hint of Islay austerity along with oatmeal, floor polish, candle wax and toffee. The finish lingers, driven by spirit and a gentle hint of rose petal, ginger and orange peel. Almost as complex as the wine! – mp
Oats, bran, red apple, cured meat
Dried honey, heather, woodsmoke, florals
Floral and honeyed
toffee, dark chocolate Kit-Kat, marzipan
Shortbread, baked apple, salted cashew, honeysuckle
Sweet and lavish
Oatmeal, floor polish, candle
Spiced and robust
Toni Krispel brought an ancient Central European breed of woolly pig to the farm in 1999 and began producing luxury organic meats. The reputation grew, and before long, customers were flocking here for a slice of the historic porker. Although I digress, it's emblematic of the Krispels' unrelenting pursuit of quality. Their vineyards are situated in a unique location, an extinct volcano once covered by the sea, with varying exposures and soils that are both basalt and limestonebased. Winemaker Stefan, working organically, strikes a balance between traditional and international varieties and, with a view to preserving the gentle fruit character typical of the region, uses a mix of stainless-steel tanks and large, older barrels for maturation. The grapes for the Straden range come from proprietary vineyards, and the resulting wines are matured in tank or barrel for up to 12 months. These are an exceptional find for Opimian members looking for precision, tension and varietal purity.
6050 KRISPEL SAUVIGNON BLANC, STEIERMARK, 2025
Sauvignon Blanc
$ 25 $ 150
Pale water white. For those who like blockbuster Sauvignon, you will love this! It's a smashing, big-and-bold style with pronounced aromatics, including gooseberry, green bean, and nettle. Clean, lively and focused. 2027-2028 – mp
MORE ABOUT KRISPEL
By Michael Palij, MW
At the turn of the 21st century, Austria suffered from an identity crisis.
The regions were not enshrined in law, and the reputation of the grape varieties was not always certain. Perhaps with an eye on their neighbours, Germany, where Riesling had suffered a most unbecoming fate after its association with Liebfraumilch, the authorities decided that a system more akin to France’s Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée would be a safer bet. In 2003, the DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus) system was launched.
DAC is an integral part of a two-tier concept tied to a geographic framework. At the macro level, there are five Austrian regions: Bergland, Niederösterreich, Burgenland, Steiermark, and Wein. These are, if you like, the parent regions of Austrian wine production, which are then further subdivided into 18 DACs, each ranging in size from 500 to 25,000 acres. The DAC's introduction has not been a wholesale operation but a slow evolution, with new regions
appearing on an ongoing basis over the last 20 years as they adopted the DAC fundamentals.
Points that define a DAC include: grape variety, cultivation & harvesting techniques, alcohol & residual sugar content, and ageing & sensory characteristics—pretty standard stuff elsewhere in Europe, but a far cry from Kabinett, Spätlese, et al. The goal, of course, is to strengthen the brand “Austria” by highlighting the striking regional differences in climate, soil, grape and vinification. This is a celebration of regional - as much as national – success.
And has it been a success? There can be no doubt that Austrian wine today is better than it ever has been. Established DACs with a strong reputation (Wachau, for instance) are having a positive ripple effect on newer ones, such as the Vulkanland Steiermark DAC, where Krispel is based.
Established in 2018, Vulkanland is known for its vibrant culinary scene and its hilltop castles. The reds are marketed under the wider ‘Steiermark’ designation of origin, as are the whites that fall outside of DAC regulations. Most of the wines share similar characteristics, including refined aromatics. Austrian wines unquestionably deserve a wider audience, and, DAC or no DAC, their purity and intensity are worth a detour from Chablis and Sancerre.
KRISPEL STRADEN CHARDONNAY, VULKANLAND
STEIERMARK DAC, 2024
Chardonnay
Pale lemon hue. An ambitious Chardonnay that needs a bit of time in bottle for the oak to integrate fully into the palate of ripe fruit – but there's bags of potential. Creamy midpalate texture, energy, and a wonderfully persistent finish. 2027-2032– nh
"IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS AS A MASTER OF WINE, THIS RANKS AMONG THE GREATEST SAUVIGNON BLANCS I’VE TASTED.”— MICHAEL PALIJ MW
Pale lemon hue. Gorgeous nose of white peach puree, passion fruit, nectarine, mimosa, salted almonds and candle wax. Complex, structured and, frankly, gorgeous. This is everything that Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé should be and seldom are. It's long and delicate yet with sufficient body to match with food, and a vast array of subtle aromas including passion fruit, peach, nectarine, apricot and lemon curd. The finish is superb. 2027-2028 – mp 6051
6052
KRISPEL STRADEN SAUVIGNON BLANC, VULKANLAND
STEIERMARK DAC, 2024
Sauvignon Blanc
Seared scallops alongside fennel salad
6053 KRISPEL ZWEIGELT, STEIERMARK, 2020
Zweigelt
6054 KRISPEL ERUPTION ROT, STEIERMARK, 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot 6049
Medium ruby hue. Plump and plush, bursting at the seams with ebullient perfumed red fruits and lavish oak spice. This is a thoroughly delicious everyday wine – no pretensions, just pure hedonistic pleasure. 2027-2029– nh
Deep ruby hue. Tertiary notes of forest floor, cooked plum, tobacco and dark chocolate. Although Meritage blends from Austria are not my thing, this is well made and, crucially, fully ripe. The palate shows welcome complexity, with vanilla, cedar and coconut alongside cooked plum, black cherry, damp earth and coffee grinds. 2026-2028 –mp
KRISPEL BRUT RESERVE, SEKT AUSTRIA RESERVE STEIERMARK G.U., TRADITIONNELLE MÉTHODE, NV
Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc
40 $ 240
Pale lemon hue. Pronounced aromas with oatmeal, honeysuckle, lemon pith, green apple. Beautiful acidity and lifted aromatics make this a dead-ringer for top-class English sparkling wine. The mousse is fine and persistent with notes of green apple, cut lemon, lime juice, and elderflower. Welljudged acidity rounds off a lingering finish. 2027-2028 – mp
CHÂTEAU DE ROUQUETTE, OPIMIAN EXCLUSIVE SELECTION, BLANC, AOC BORDEAUX, VIGNOBLES J. DARRIET, 2025
CHÂTEAU DE ROUQUETTE, OPIMIAN EXCLUSIVE SELECTION, ROUGE, AOC BORDEAUX, VIGNOBLES J. DARRIET, 2025
Medium purple hue. Lovely, vibrantly fruity nose, with notes of real cola, blackcurrant, black cherry, licorice and black pepper. Slightly more angular than last year, this shows ripe black fruit including black cherry, plum and licorice, while the firm tannins provide a structured backdrop and help push the finish along. 2026-2028 – mp
Mid lemon hue. A slightly waxy texture, probably contributed by the Sémillon, serves as the canvas on which a blend of tropical fruit and leafy, herbaceous notes stands out. Crisp, easy-going stuff that comes up trumps. 2026-2027– nh
6065
PETITE MARINE LE ROSÉ, AOC BORDEAUX, THE DARRIET FAMILY, 2025
Cabernet Sauvignon $ 19 $ 228
Medium salmon pink. A wine that combines Cabernet's typical crisp acidity and herbaceous notes with ripe red berry and currant fruit. It has a higher concentration than many rosés and would make a great addition to a summer barbecue. 2026-2027–nh
6067
CHÂTEAU HAUT MAGINET, AOC BORDEAUX BLANC, VIGNOBLES JOLIVET, 2025
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle
Pale lemon hue. This has a very ripe, attractive nose of passionfruit, grape, asparagus, lemon pith and wet wool. An aromatic white with a generous mouthfeel and texture showing lovely length and flavours of white grapefruit, lime zest, grape, jasmine and wet wool. 2026-2028 – mp
WINES TO SAVOUR ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
cod with buttered green beans
6068
CHÂTEAU HAUT MAGINET, AOC BORDEAUX, VIGNOBLES JOLIVET, 2025
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Medium ruby hue. Approachable, easydrinking take on Bordeaux, with fruity Merlot taking the lead, accompanied by the leafier, crunchier Cabernets. 2026-2028 – nh
steak and fries
PRODUCER FOR THIS CELLAR
6056
DOMAINE DE ROUMAUD, AOC BORDEAUX, BLANC, VIGNOBLES J. DARRIET, 2025
Sémillon
Medium lemon hue. This wine is more about the waxy texture and zesty acidity than the fruit, which is subtle and restrained, offering an understated leafy character and a hint of apricot on the finish. 2026-2028 – nh
6057
L'AFFAIRE CADILLAC, L'INDICE CABERNET, AOC CADILLAC CÔTES DE BORDEAUX, 2024
Cabernet Sauvignon
Medium ruby hue. We're entering classic Cabernet Sauvignon territory here, with a combination of dark berry and cherry fruit, plenty of green pepper notes, and a hint of spice and cedar. The tannins are grippy and chalky, providing an excellent framework for the fruit. 2027-2032–nh
6058
The vineyards of SC Darriet have been in the hands of the same family for eight generations. Jean-Christophe Darriet manages six Châteaux. The first one, Château Dauphiné-Rondillon, was founded in 1778. Loupiac’s Dauphiné Rondillon and the Clos du Château de Cadillac were
L'AFFAIRE CADILLAC, LA RÉVÉLATION, AOC CADILLAC CÔTES DE BORDEAUX, 2024
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Medium ruby hue. This blend is more than the sum of its parts, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot playing complementary roles. The Merlot lends density to the mid-palate, while Cabernet takes the lead on structure and perfume. 2027-2033 – nh
Blackcurrant,
Roasted chicken on a bed of root vegetables
acquired within twenty years of their arrival in the region. Still, it took until the 20th century for them to be joined by a further property in Cadillac, the Château les Tourelles, then the Châteaux of Gravières and Rouquette. All the vineyards are now farmed sustainably, with HVE Level 4 certification. Over the years, the family has refined its approach to winemaking, and the Darriets make whites, reds and rosés in a range of styles, from fruity and approachable to long-lived and structured (as well as some of the deliciously sweet wines for which Loupiac and Cadillac are best known).
6059
LEARN MORE ABOUT DARRIET
CUVÉE D'OR DU CHÂTEAU DAUPHINÉ RONDILLON, AOC LOUPIAC, VIGNOBLES J. DARRIET, 2019
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc
375 ml
Deep golden hue. Attractive aromas of caramel, toffee apple, hazelnut and beeswax. The sweet, chunky palate offers a mix of lemon curd and toasted tropical notes, balanced by salted almond and a subtle botrytic character. 2026-2028 – mp
The luscious, sweet white wines of Bordeaux have long been regarded as among the foremost exemplars of the style. Still, while appellations like Sauternes and Barsac get their fair share of glory, Loupiac is less well known outside of France. This small appellation, situated just across the Garonne River from Barsac and Sauternes, benefits from many of the same terroir attributes as its more famous neighbours. But although its vineyards lie close enough to the river for infection with Botrytis cinerea (the fungus that creates the concentration and typical flavour profile of these dessert wines), the appellation’s regulations stipulate a lower level of sweetness in Loupiac, leading to its signature lightness and freshness of style.
6060 CHÂTEAU DE ROUQUETTE CUVÉE DU PAVILLON, AOC LOUPIAC, 2020
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc
Mid lemon hue. A really affordable sweetie from one of Bordeaux's best satellite appellations for sweet wines. This shows a definite influence of botrytis, as well as an elegant, balanced palate brimming with apricot jam, barley sugar, and saffron. 2026-2029 – nh
Although Bordeaux is mainly known around the world for its structured, long-lived reds, it should be borne in mind that the region has more than one vinous arrow in its quiver. The EntreDeux-Mers (the ‘seas’ in question being the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers) is a source of some terrific bargains. Its dry white wines – typically blends of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, sometimes infused with the more overtly fruity Muscadelle or Sauvignon Gris grapes – are crisp, refreshing, and ideally suited to pairing with seafood and vegetable-based dishes. The region’s rosés are vibrant and fruity, based on the same grapes that are used to make Bordeaux’s well-known reds.
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Muscadelle
20 $ 120
12.5%
6069 FUSION, AOC BORDEAUX ROSÉ, ELIZABETH & DAVID LABAT, 2025
6071 CHÂTEAU LES MOUTINS, AOC BORDEAUX BLANC, 2024
6072
Crisp and clean, this has gorgeous summertime freshness, including lemon juice, lime zest, green apple and honeysuckle. The palate is equally footloose and fancy-free, with a huge nose of lemon, lime, tangerine and grapefruit. The refreshing acidity contributes to a decent finish, making this a great value. 2026-2028 – mp
CHÂTEAU PUYANCHÉ, AOC FRANCS CÔTES DE BORDEAUX, BLANC, 2023
Blanc, Sémillon
Pale salmon pink. An attractive, bright, fruit-driven rosé that does just what you expect. It's delectably fresh, lively, and packed with rhubarb, strawberries, red berries, and hedgerow blossoms. Crying out for a summer picnic. 2026-2027– nh
Pale lemon hue. Young, closed, and simple, with fresh notes of green apple, lemon and lime zest. Given the price, this is a minor miracle! The palate fills out with a lovely weight of citrus fruit, including lemon, lime, hints of apple, gooseberry and passionfruit. Ripe fruit drives home a beautiful finish. 2026-2028 – mp
Medium lemon hue. Discreet, though aromatic, nose, offering green apple, honeysuckle, gooseberry, banana, candle wax, cinnamon, and pastry dough. The exceptional palate is layered with waxy notes of red apple, passion fruit, persimmon, custard apple, baking spice, and vanilla, while the firm acidity and warming alcohol work together to drive a lingering finish. Difficult to describe just how good this is. 2026-2028 – mp
banana
13.5%
Crab
Candle wax, persimmon, custard apple, baking spice, [0.00]
Grilled asparagus alongside hollandaise
6073 FUSION, AOC BORDEAUX BLANC, ELISABETH & DAVID LABAT, 2025
Sauvignon, Sémillon
Not just your average Sauvignon Blanc, this has aromas of pea pods and gooseberries, with a relatively dense palate cut with a portion of Sémillon. There are appealing hints of guava among the cooler-climate staples of tomato leaf and elderflower, adding welcome complexity. 2026-2028 – nh
6074
6076 FUSION, AOC BORDEAUX, ELISABETH & DAVID LABAT, 2024
Merlot, Petit Verdot
Beef bourguignon served with pearl onions
CHÂTEAU VERMONT, PRESTIGE BLANC, AOC ENTRE-DEUX-MERS, 2025
Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris
Pale lemon hue. A vibrant, zippy white wine with plenty of bright acidity, delivering good depth of fruit. There's a balance between the leafiness you often find in Sauvignon Blanc and something richer and riper. Very satisfying. 2026-2028 – nh
6075
AOC BORDEAUX, 2024
Merlot, Cabernet Franc
This really is a super little wine. The tannins are fully resolved, working admirably to support the fruit, which includes blackcurrant, plum and cherry. At this price, it is a complete revelation, offering layers of blackberry and licorice and a lingering finish. 2026-2028 – mp
Lemon, asparagus, smoky notes
Green apple, lime, blackcurrant leaf, [0.00]
Pronounced nose with baking spice allied to black pepper, black plum, black cherry and fruitcake. This adopts a serious stance, with chiselled acidity, fine tannins and concentrated black fruit including cherry, plum and licorice. The fruit whisks along the finish, but the acidity and tannins give chase. Delightful. 2026-2028 – mp
13%
Blackcurrant, plum, cherry
Blackberry, licorice, smoked green peppers
Duck confit paired with lentils
6077 PÉPIN D'ESCURAC, AOC MÉDOC, 2018
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Medium garnet hue. Developed nose showing forest floor, mushroom, chocolate and leather. Fully mature, for sure, which handily does away with the need for cellar time. Luncheons beware, this claret is coming at ya. It's grippy, scented, has the hallmark mid-palate of fine Bordeaux, and the finish is complex and long. Go on, take the plunge. 2026-2028 – mp
6078 CHÂTEAU L'EDEN, AOC MÉDOC, 2020
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Medium ruby hue. A very modern style of Bordeaux, with dense fruit draped around fine boned but grippy tannins. With flavours of fruitcake and vanilla, there's plenty of oak here, but given time, it should integrate nicely with the lush fruit. 2027-2034 – nh
Spices, Parma Violets, red plum, cassis
Fruitcake, forest floor, redcurrant, vanilla
Roast lamb served with garlic and thyme
Beef cheek braised in red wine
When people refer to Bordeaux’s Left Bank, what they mean is the vineyards and communes that line the western banks of the Gironde estuary and the Garonne River that feeds into it. This area, a swamp until it was drained in the 17th century, is now home to some of the most famous châteaux in France. If you drive through the lowlying vineyards, you’ll pass by plenty of big-ticket wine superstars. Still, you’ll also find some lesser-known gems, producers working with grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, seasoned with a dash of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to create wines with plenty of early-drinking appeal.
6079
CHÂTEAU PIERRE DE MONTIGNAC, AOC MÉDOC, CRU BOURGEOIS SUPÉRIEUR, 2022
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot
Deep ruby hue. Ripe, generous, and absolutely typical of the wines produced in the hot 2022 vintage. The tannins are dense and fleshy, while there's enough acidity to balance the swashbuckling flavours of dark plum, cherry, licorice and coffee. 2026-2032 – nh
6080 PAGUS DE LAGRANGE, AOC HAUT-MÉDOC, 2022
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Medium ruby hue. Lots of ripe dark fruit here, along with a distinctive note of grilled green peppers; oak, too, in a strong supporting role. A hard-working red that captivates with its fleshy palate, bursting with blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, damson and mulberry. There's a proper level of grip, too, and the finish is lingering and complex. 2026-2032– nh
6082
LARRIVAUX, AOC HAUT-MÉDOC, 2022
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Deep ruby hue. A big, bold, black-fruited brute of a wine with a generous, ripe style and loads of oak. The tannins are present but fine-grained, integrating nicely into the decadent body. 2027-2032– nh
6083 ELÉONORE DU CHÂTEAU TEYNAC, AOC SAINT-JULIEN, 2021
Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Medium ruby hue. One for those who like their Bordeaux on the lighter side, with vivid acidity and crunchy tannins. An illustration of typicity from the cool 2021 vintage, and a striking contrast to many wines in this offer. Fine-tuned and harmonious, with flavours of fruitcake, redcurrant, and green pepper. 2026-2030 – nh
GOULÉE BY COS D'ESTOURNEL, AOC MÉDOC, 2016
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Medium garnet hue. Fully mature and delicious, with tertiary notes of cedar, licorice, tobacco, clove and cinnamon. The palate is still lively, with pleasant vegetal notes of forest floor and wet leaves emerging from amongst the bundle of prune and fig. Needs to come with a health warning that states ‘hard to put down’. 2026-2028 – mp
6086
6081
CHÂTEAU D'ESCURAC, AOC MÉDOC: 3 BOTTLES EACH:
PÉLOPÉE, CHÂTEAU LE COTEAU, AOC MARGAUX (AMPHORA WINE), 2023
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Medium ruby hue. An elegant take on Left-Bank Bordeaux. The texture is silky, the tannins are grippy but polished, and the fruit is layered, with dark and red fruits inflected with notes of violet, tar, and spices. 2026-2035 – nh
Sandalwood, red plum, blackcurrant cough drops
Dark plum, violets, spices
Grilled beetroot and goat cheese salad
CHÂTEAU D'ESCURAC, AOC MÉDOC, CRU BOURGEOIS, 2018
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Medium garnet hue. Tertiary perfection on the nose, with cooked black fruit, blackberry, blackcurrant, forest floor and tobacco. This is providing delicious current drinking with its seamless blend of primary fruit – including cassis, menthol and blackberry – alongside grand old tertiary notes of forest floor, leather and tobacco. 2026-2028 –mp
Cooked fruits, blackcurrant, forest floor, tobacco
Cassis, menthol, leather, blackberry
Duck breast finished with blackcurrant jus
CHÂTEAU D'ESCURAC, AOC MÉDOC, CRU BOURGEOIS ORGANIC, 2023
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Deep ruby hue. An ambitious, concentrated wine with lashings of new oak that will need time to integrate fully with the fruit. Luckily, there's plenty of that on the palate, along with ripe, chalky tannins and enough acidity for balance. 2027-2035 – nh
Oak, cedar, forest floor, tobacco
Blackberry, cherry, incense, spices
Charred cauliflower with caper vinaigrette
6087
CHÂTEAU PUYANCHÉ, AOC FRANCS CÔTES DE BORDEAUX, 2022
Deep ruby, saturated to the rim. Generous, scented nose, with ripe black fruit including plum and cherry. Blackberry, black pepper, mace, fruitcake, and licorice come together on the palate with griottes, cherry cobbler, black olive, and crushed blueberry. The tannins are supple and ripe, adding a pleasantly drying texture, and the moderate acidity from this warm vintage adds guardrails. Hugely competent, with great balance and an undeniable sense of place. 2026-2028 – mp
Bordeaux’s ‘Right Bank’ is a blanket term for the vineyards that line the north-east bank of the Dordogne River as it flows into the Gironde estuary. This is an area with a viticultural history that stretches out much further beyond that of the Left Bank – it was already well known as a source of wines back in the 13th century. Its dense, heavy clay and limestone soils make it well-suited to the opulent richness of the Merlot grapes that dominate its vineyards. However, many wines have a dash – or more – of crisp, crunchy Cabernet Franc or Sauvignon to add expressive lift to the blends.
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Deep garnet hue. Gorgeous nose – intense, fragrant and aromatic, with plenty of baking spice, blackberry jam, cassis and cooked fruit. The tannins pack a punch, so this is defo one for the big red lovers, with a toasty combo of barrel char, baked raspberries, and dark chocolate. Drink now with a generous cut of meat. 2026-2028 – mp
6089 CHÂTEAU LAFON VERTICAL TASTING CASE: 2 BOTTLES EACH:
35 $ 210
This historic estate of 40 hectares is located within walking distance of the village of Listrac, which itself is the namesake of one of the six communes of the Haut-Médoc on Bordeaux’s Left Bank. The vineyards are planted on gravelly ridges, allowing free drainage for the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines that make up this cuvée. This trio of vintages – 2020, 2021, and 2022 – reflects the variations in style created by the region's changing weather conditions. Both 2020 and 2022 were warm and dry, lending the wines power and concentration, as well as a notably ripe fruit profile. In contrast, 2021 offered a cool, rainy growing season, and this wine's linear, taut style returns to a more traditional Bordeaux style.
CHÂTEAU LAFON, AOC LISTRAC-MÉDOC, CRU BOURGEOIS, 2020
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Medium ruby hue. This is a delicious glass of wine, with a complex nose showing delightful primary notes of black cherry and plum, secondary notes of baking spice and char, and tertiary notes of leather, dark chocolate and damp earth. Full-bodied and authoritative on the palate, with wonderful depth and layers of ripe black fruit including cherry, plum, berry and currant. Oak adds an extra dimension, and the finish is convincing. 2026-2028 – mp
CHÂTEAU LAFON, AOC LISTRAC-MÉDOC, CRU BOURGEOIS, 2021
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Fully mature nose with baked-fruit and tarry aromas, alongside blackcurrant, cherry, and plum. Oak brings vanilla and allspice on the palate, driving the whole, which is wrapped in firm tannins and supported by notes of bramble and blackcurrant. 2026-2027– mp
CHÂTEAU LAFON, AOC LISTRAC-MÉDOC, CRU BOURGEOIS, 2022
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Medium ruby hue. Hearty stuff, with a nose of black cherry, blackberry, plum and damson allied to vanilla and cedar. There is plenty of crushed black fruit on the palate, well complemented by oaky vanilla and cinnamon, leading to a confident finish laden with ripe blackcurrant. 2026-2028 – mp
Beef bavette with shallot confit
Baked fruit, tar, black cherry, Victoria plum
Walnut, clove, bramble, blackcurrant
Grilled portobello caps and thyme
Black cherry, damson, vanilla, cedar
Crushed blueberry, crushed blackberry, coffee, cinnamon
Veal meatballs served in tomato jus
L'EXUBERANCE ROSÉ DU CLOS CANTENAC, AOC BORDEAUX ROSÉ, 2025 Merlot
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Medium ruby hue. This is what Bordeaux is all about – or should be. Complex, layered fruit – mostly red plums – interwoven with notes of violet, tomato leaf, cedar and oak spice. The tannins are firm but fine-grained, and the balance precise. Wonderful texture too! 2026-2035 – nh
Med salmon hue. Delightful nose of wild strawberry, hawthorn, red currant, pomegranate and red cherry. Always one of my favourite rosés, the delicate colour does little to prepare one for the complexity that follows: this has red currant, pomegranate, red cherry, white pepper, and plum jam, all allied to firm acidity. Fabulous stuff that will keep well for at least a couple of years in the bottle, and possibly our highest-scoring rose ever. 2026-2029– mp
Medium purple hue. Still an infant, this offers aromas of crushed blackberry, cooked plum, coconut, vanilla, eucalyptus, damp earth, cold ash and wood smoke. As serious a glass of Merlot as one is likely to find this side of Le Pin, there is a huge swathe of new oak and black fruit that carpets the mouth. Black cherry, wood smoke, plum, crushed blackberry and dried herbs are all here. The finish is at least 60 seconds, and this will age impeccably. One for the grandkids. 2026-2038 –mp
Pomerol has a way of upping the ante. When Martin Krajewski sold the substantial estate at Château de Sours in the Entre-Deux-Mers, he received 2.2 hectares in Pomerol. Moreover, the estate desperately needed a new winery, and the vines were in such a state that he swiftly replaced most of them, producing only 800 bottles in his first vintage. Oh, the vision and the patience! The name has changed, too, from something unwieldy to the French form of Serafina, his Polish grandmother, a formidable woman from a wealthy family known for its business acumen. Rather fitting, all things considered.
Cabernet Franc makes up a small portion of the blend at Séraphine, coming from 0.4ha of vines planted in 2017 at Plince on sandy topsoil over free-draining loamy gravels. Cabernet Franc thrives here. Winemaker Charlotte ferments and matures in clay amphorae, allowing them to make their own mark on the final assemblage. The Merlot, for its part, comes largely from the 1.2-h plot at Mazeyres, situated on some of that famous Pomerol blue clay (smectite), and is a roughly 50/50 blend of old vines and those planted in 2017. Long ageing, in 300L French oak barrels, is the norm.
Pomerol is never a light investment, though it remains popular because its Merlot-based wines are often unrivalled in their class and longevity.
Elegant and integrated, this offers a wide array of black-fruit and spicy aromas, including cherry jam, berry, plum, cassis, pepper, oregano, thyme, vanilla, cedar, coconut, and licorice. Two things to note: this wine is really expensive and really worth it. The palate combines massive amounts of tannins with an utter fruit bomb that unfolds for 60-90 seconds on the finish. Cherry, plum, eucalyptus, menthol, cedar, wood smoke, black pepper, coffee, coal tar, damp earth, and I could go on. A show-stopping red. 2032-2040– mp
6106 L'INNOCENCE DE SÉRAPHINE, AOC POMEROL, 2024
Merlot, Cabernet Franc
$ 90 $ 270
Medium purple hue. A big-money nose of blackcurrant, black cherry, black pepper, eucalyptus, dried oregano, crushed blackberry and coal tar greet the lucky owner of this accomplished red. Very much in the Krajewski style, this has layers of sweet, ripe fruit and the silkiest tannins, combining to create a synthesis of fruit and structure. The firm tannins shadow the fruit, providing a wonderful backstop to black cherry, plum, licorice, All Sorts and coffee grounds. 2030-2038– mp
RARE WINES TO ENHANCE YOUR CELLAR
METICULOUS POMEROL FROM THE COVETED NEIGHBOURHOOD SHARED WITH PÉTRUS AND VIEUX CHÂTEAU CERTAN.
Pomerol is known for its diversity, so it would be hard-pressed to go too deep on vintage characterization. Two things stand out in 2024, however: the humidity that is becoming rather a perennial bugbear, and a rather warm, dry summer that probably saved the proverbial bacon. In this respect, L'Innocence de Séraphine 2024 displays reasonable typicity, offering firm tannins, akin to 2019, along with the depth of plush fruit one would expect. What Charlotte Krajewski has a particular knack for is that extra level of polish – a sleek core of complex fruit that doesn’t stray too far from its Old World roots. The key, it would seem, is a rather gentle extraction, followed by an extended maceration after fermentation, giving depth without the risk of astringency. She has also used a little less new oak than usual and continues to value amphora, which allows the fruit to age gracefully.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Sauternes is the source of some of the most famous sweet white wines in the world. It owes its renown to the confluence of the Ciron and Garonne Rivers. At the end of the ‘normal’ growing season, the autumnal mists that rise from these bodies of water roll across the adjacent vineyards, promoting the spread of Botrytis cinerea, noble rot, which grows on the skins of the Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle grapes. This fungus shrivels the grapes, concentrating their sugars, flavour precursors and acidity, and the result is wines of hedonistic sweetness, whose aromatic palette is tinged with exotic notes of marmalade, saffron and barley sugar.
6091
CHÂTEAU HAUT BERGERON, AOC SAUTERNES, 2023
Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc
In 2015, three of his wines from the 2013 vintage received a rating of 100 points from The Wine Advocate; thus his nickname, “Mr. 300 points” (Herr 300 Punkte in German). We are pleased to announce that Opimian has secured a small allocation of these outstanding wines from this brilliant winemaker. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your hands on these top-scoring wines, as they usually sell out in record time!
Apricot jam, saffron, vanilla, walnut
Barley sugar, peach, crème patisserie, banana, [140.00]
Only at Opimian.ca beginning February 27.
Roquefort mousse and pear compote
LIMITED TIME – LIMITED QUANTITIES – WEB ONLY 13%
Pale gold hue. An opulent wine with the typical richness of texture and dense fruit expected from a Sauternes. The level of botrytis is not very high here, but complexity is also derived from the use of new French oak, which adds authority and a spicy richness to the delicious fruit flavours on the finish. 20262030 – nh
