C189-NT: The Golden Slopes of Burgundy, Provence, the Loire Valley & the South of France

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES ORDER BY JUNE 1, 2009

OFFERING 189

wines South Africa, New and& the Australia The GoldenThe Slopes of of Burgundy, Provence, theZealand Loire Valley South of France

Harvest at Domaine Billard - 1948 Michel Billard, Jérôme’s father, pictured on the right

CELLAR OFFERING 189 The Golden Slopes of Burgundy, Provence, the Loire Valley & the South of France We present an eclectic selection of wines from the sun-drenched vines of southern France to the misty, pastel-shaded countryside of the Loire, France’s longest river and one which is rimmed on both banks by vineyards. Between the two, the Côte d’Or of Burgundy provides inspiration for winemakers and wine lovers the world over whose admiration for Pinot Noir knows no boundaries.

Burgundy

The Cote d’Or

DOMAINE BILLARD PÈRE ET FILS La Rochepot Traditionally the home of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varietals, Burgundy from the Côte d’Or has long been known as the “King of Wines”. Among thousands of smallholdings across the Burgundy area, from Chablis in the north to Beaujolais in the south, there are countless small domaines similar to that of Jérôme and Elisabeth Billard.

This couple is utterly passionate about their wines and work long hours among their vines and in the winery to produce wines of superb quality.

The Billard Family - Elisabeth, Victor, Louis and Jérôme with the newest addition to their family, Gautier. Château La Rochepot in the background

2

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 189

BURGUNDY DOMAINE BILLARD PÈRE ET FILS >>

5082

BOURGOGNE ALIGOTÉ, AOC, 2008 $26.50

6 BTLS/750 ML $159.00

This is the only white wine in Burgundy which is not produced from the Chardonnay grape. It is fermented in steel tanks and bottled early so that it retains its crisp, fresh characteristics. Clean fragrance on the nose is joined by green apples and lemon notes. In the mouth, the acidity is perfectly balanced by the softness of the fruit. Serve it well-chilled. [00] M8 D8

5083

BOURGOGNE HAUTES-CÔTES-DE-BEAUNE BLANC, LA JUSTICE, AOC, 2008 $29.50

6 BTLS/750 ML $177.00

The greatest Burgundies are found in this appellation located along the summit of the hills that rise from the river and above the Côte d’Or also known as the “golden slope”. As if following a pattern each year, Jérôme works to capture the essence of his Chardonnay which in Burgundy combines the attributes of the grape with the unique terroir of the vineyards. Partly vinified and aged in oak barrels and partly in stainless steel tanks, this is elegant and well-structured with good acidity. It has an oak and spice nose with complex aromas of dry grass, fern and hazelnuts. [00] M7 D8

5084

SAINT ROMAIN, LA COMBE BAZIN, AOC, 2008 $35.17

6 BTLS/750 ML $211.00

Saint Romain is one of the well-kept secrets of the Côte d’Or, lying just south of the great villages of Meursault and Puligny, sharing the same chalky limestone with a southeastern exposure in one part and gravel and clay with an eastern aspect in the other. The wine, characterized by notes of hazelnuts and fragrant peachy fruit, is quite similar to Puligny-Montrachet. The palate has medium body and depth with fine acidic balance, generous, ripe fruit, supple vinosity and gentle oak notes that lead through the acidity to a clean, sustained finish. [00] M6 D7

5085

BOURGOGNE HAUTES-CÔTES-DE-BEAUNE, AOC, 2008 $29.50

6 BTLS/750 ML $177.00

Every glass of Pinot Noir seems to reset the parameters by which the grape can be judged. This one from Billard is typical and correct. Mid-pinkish red, it is not at all deep, but clear and raspberry-hued. If the aroma is still a little hard, there is an enticing promise of ripe cherry fruit, a ripple of oak, sweet spice and the classic Pinot Noir forest leaf note that characterizes Burgundy. A fresh and lively palate, with chewy Morello cherry and a squeeze of raspberries, is the introduction to a long, youthful, acidic finish. M6 D7

BURGUNDY DOMAINE BILLARD PÈRE ET FILS >>

The essence and heart of Aligoté is found in its freshness Grape Variety

Aligoté

Aroma

Sliced apple and pear

Taste

Good weight, perfect balance

Serve

9° C

Evolution

At its best in the first couple of years, drink by end of 2010

Ideal with

Seafood, warm chicken salad

Excellent bouquet with subtlety and firm, underlying richness Grape Variety

Chardonnay

Aroma

Citrus with apples and melon

Taste

Light and racy, fresh acidity, green apple and lemon rind, dry finish

Serve

9° - 11° C

Evolution

Needs a little patience to allow the acidity to settle down with the fruit

Ideal with

Roast duck with rosemary-orange butter sauce

From beginning to end, this is about “terroir” Grape Variety

Chardonnay

Aroma

Citrus, pears, honey

Taste

Well-balanced, medium-bodied, small oak, crisp acidity

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Not ready yet, but in a year it will be delightful, drink 2010 - 2015

Ideal with

Poached salmon with tarragon sauce and fingerling potatoes

Here is the striking individuality of a classy Pinot Grape Variety

Pinot Noir

Aroma

Medium-bodied with intense ripe cherry and raspberry

Taste

Savoury elements are starting to emerge

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Only just started on the journey, drink 2010 - 2015

Ideal with

Asian flavoured salmon cooked in a salt crust

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

3

5086

AUXEY-DURESSES, AOC, 2008 $34.00

6 BTLS/750 ML $204.00

The commune is situated in the heart of the Côte de Beaune where clay and chalk soils add complexity to the red wines. This wine emphasizes raspberry, blackberry and the first signs of the farmyard, with animal aromas that define the best aged reds. In the glass, it has a light style with fine oak, allowing the fruit characteristics to develop.

Soft and rich, the wine displays berry fruit, plums and cherries on the nose and palate with a good tannin structure.

M6 D7

5087

BEAUNE, LES BONS FEUVRES, AOC, 2008 $35.50

6 BTLS/750 ML $213.00

The wine has a beautiful red colour with a supple initial impact in the mouth, especially given its youth. The characteristics are quintessentially Beaune, uniting an aromatic bouquet with full body, ample fruit and structure with generous red berry fruit flavours. Great depth of flavour combines the delicacy of ripe raspberries with a good level of sturdy tannin. Billard is a small, environmentally conscious estate where the flow of wine between the arrival of the grapes at the winery until bottling is by gravity. This means that oxygenation during pumping is avoided, resulting in low use of SO2 and captivating pure flavours in the wines as they mature. M6 D6

5088

Grape Variety

Pinot Noir

Aroma

Plum, raspberry, fresh hay

Taste

Fruity, soft, round with a hint of oak

Serve

13° C

Evolution

Very young and needs patience to allow it to develop, drink 2010 - 2015

Ideal with

Roast saddle of hare with redcurrant jelly

Young wine! Juicy and ripe with small smoke and spice touches Grape Variety

Pinot Noir

Aroma

Raspberry, dark cherry fruit

Taste

Gushing fruit at the entry, firm structure and a spicy mid-palate, slowly ebbing finish

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Very young, hardly in bottle, don’t spoil it by rushing for the corkscrew

Ideal with

Fillet of pork, veal, duck à l'orange

POMMARD, LES TAVANNES, AOC, 2008 $51.00

6 BTLS/750 ML $306.00

Uniquely a red wine village, Pommard’s soil is made up of yellow marls, dolomitic and marled limestone with ferruginous elements. Billard’s vineyard is close to the Château de Pommard, the entire vineyard of Les Tavannes amounting to less than two acres with several owners. Jérôme and Elisabeth have access to a small portion and this is their first offering to Opimian from this vineyard. The wine has a deep colour with intense aromas of blackcurrant, plum and musk. The crisp, red fruit palate is elegant with firm tannic structure and silky, smooth fruit leading to a lingering finish.

M6 D6

4

Proper, perfumed, silky and fruit-driven

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 189

A fine Pinot with upfront primary fruits Grape Variety

Pinot Noir

Aroma

A powerful basket of pink and red fruits

Taste

Dark cherries, blackberries, vanilla, hazelnuts

Serve

19° C

Evolution

Do not open until the next comet, drink 2011 – 2018

Ideal with

Roast duck with Morello cherry sauce

BURGUNDY DOMAINE BILLARD PÈRE ET FILS

Provence

Harvest at Château Vignelaure

CHÂTEAU VIGNELAURE Rians-en-Provence This is one of the most beautiful properties of Provence, inextricably linking its former owner, Georges Brunet, with the late Yves Saint Laurent who visited when he needed rest and refuge.

Another owner, David O’Brien selected a label with one of Saint Laurent’s line drawings to be used for Opimian; that label, Le Page, features in this offering. Château Vignelaure has changed owners once more, but we remain entirely convinced by its outstanding quality and the beauty of its wines.

5089

LA SOURCE DE VIGNELAURE ROSÉ, 2008, AOC CÔTEAUX D’AIX EN PROVENCE $26.00

A holiday wine with which to fall in love

6 BTLS/750 ML $156.00

With a glass of Provencal rosé in hand, one can imagine Paul Cézanne with his inseparable school friend Émile Zola sitting in a shaded promenade in Aix. Sadly, it never happened but it was the luminosity of the Provencal sun that inspired Cézanne and that was the motivation behind the delicacy of this light pink wine. Gathered later than usual from low yielding vines, it was produced from four varieties allowed to cool and settle before slow-chilled fermentation extracted the bright, light, pink colour. [00] M8 D8

PROVENCE CHÂTEAU VIGNELAURE >>

Grape Variety

Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon

Aroma

Light, delicate, floral, mineral touches

Taste

Beautifully balanced, white fruit with orange blossom

Serve

9° C

Evolution

When tasted in February it was brimming with life, drink whenever the sun shines

Ideal with

On its own, fish, white meats, hot chicken salad

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

5

5090

LE PAGE DE VIGNELAURE ROSÉ, 2008, VIN DE PAYS DE MÉDITERRANÉE $27.17

6 BTLS/750 ML $163.00

The summer of 2008 was mixed, part wet, but never too hot, resulting in the grapes ripening slowly and together. After harvest, grapes from a small patch of 5 hectares, yielding an uncharacteristically low 30 hectolitres per hectare, were chosen to produce this outstanding rosé. The modest yield explains the depth of the bouquet and the penetration of flavour. Even though light, the grape characteristics are typical and pronounced. Scented by spiced blackcurrant with ample fruit and fine tannins, it still tastes young and fresh, but is persistent in the mouth. [00] M8 D8

5091

LA SOURCE DE VIGNELAURE, 2007, AOC CÔTEAUX D’AIX EN PROVENCE $27.83

CHÂTEAU VIGNELAURE, 2005, AOC CÔTEAUX D’AIX EN PROVENCE $37.33

6 BTLS/750 ML $224.00

The mix of soils over the vineyard, limestone, clay and gravel, adds complexity to the concentrated flavours that typify Vignelaure’s wines. The colour is profound, a result of a low yield that would be considered un-commercial elsewhere; here it is part of the pursuit for quality. Before fermentation the grapes were macerated for several days, a process that promotes flavour and aroma extraction. After fermentation and storage for 14 months in small oak, it was clarified with egg whites and lightly filtered. Elemental, powerful fruit aromas with sweet, savoury oak and a strikingly rich and long blackberry and chocolate palate are an indication of a superb vintage. M6 D7

5093

CHÂTEAU VIGNELAURE, 2000, AOC CÔTEAUX D’AIX EN PROVENCE, MAGNUMS $89.67

Cabernet Sauvignon

Aroma

Light notes of blackcurrant and roses

Taste

Delicate, poised, balanced

Serve

9° - 10° C

Evolution

Drink during 2009/2010

Ideal with

Pasta, lightly spiced dishes

A full-bodied red with plenty of personality Grape Variety

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache

Aroma

Blackberry fruit, dark chocolate, liquorice

Taste

Supple tannins, dark black fruit, beautifully proportioned

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Still youthful, yet very easy to enjoy, drink 2009 2014

Ideal with

Seared venison steak

The affinity between the “terroir” and the Cabernet Sauvignon produces elegance and power Grape Variety

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache

Aroma

Cedar, cassis, raspberry, menthol, leaves

Taste

Fleshy, redcurrants, raspberries, cassis

Serve

18° C

Evolution

After three years in bottle it is very easy, but it has sufficient stamina to last several years, drink 2010 - 2016

Ideal with

Pan-fried fillet steak topped with stilton

Concentrated with lots of ripe fruit and perfume

3 BTLS/1500 ML $269.00

This is a happy return to a great vintage, the year of the Millennium, a year when all the elements combined to create perfect conditions for the production of outstanding quality reds.

For this offer we persuaded the Château to take the padlock off the cellar door and release a limited number of magnums. In this large size the development has been slowed down to a crawl. The wine is deep crimson purple, sumptuous, a scented herb garden with blackberries, briars and spice. An elegantlystructured, well-concentrated palate with cedar notes ends with powerful tannins. M7 D8

6

Grape Variety

6 BTLS/750 ML $167.00

Although the modestly-sized property produces several wines, their individuality is assured by the separation of the vineyards used for each. This wine comes from a small parcel of old vines, only nine acres in size, where rigid bunch selection prior to hand-harvesting reduces the yield by 12%, leaving only perfect, evenly ripe fruit. The three varieties are kept apart through the winemaking, each following the appropriate regime until blending and bottling after a year in oak. The deep red colour leads to a savoury mixture of tar, blackberry and coffee. Wellbalanced with plenty of concentration and gripping tannins, it ends with a piquant bite. M7 D7

5092

Perfect served chilled on a scorching summer's day

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 189

Grape Variety

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache

Aroma

Muscular, powerful bouquet with leather, spice bitumen and black fruit

Taste

Fine, grainy, sappy tannins, prunes and dark fruit, dry finish

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Well on the way to full maturity, but still has plenty of life, drink to 2012

Ideal with

Roast duck served with a reduced plum sauce

PROVENCE CHÂTEAU VIGNELAURE

T

The wines of the

Loire Valley There is something calming about the Loire, timeless, slowly flowing from the heart of France towards the Atlantic, bordered by Sauvignon Blanc vineyards from the tiny freshet at its source to the wide vineyards of Muscadet at the mouth. Perhaps it is most perfectly evoked by the image of an old country woman, at dawn, gathering fat snails by the river’s verdant banks for a feast of escargot, their shells filled with wild garlic picked nearby. This is the Loire, mother of countless superb wines.

Touraine DANIELLE AND PASCAL GIBAULT, Les Martinières, Noyers-sur-Cher The Gibaults are our major source of advice and assistance for all the wines of the Loire. From far upstream to Pouilly and Sancerre, through its length until close to the sea, Danielle and Pascal work with a variety of wineries on Opimian’s behalf.

One example, Yves Huchet, supplier of Opimian’s much awarded Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine.

Top photo - Town of Sancerre Bottom photo - Domaine Charles Pain

LOIRE VALLEY DANIELLE AND PASCAL GIBAULT >>

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

7

5094

SAUVIGNON/CHARDONNAY, CARACTER DE L’ANSÉE, 2007, VIN DE PAYS DE LA LOIRE $23.50

6 BTLS/750 ML $141.00

By France’s archaic wine law this wine cannot be classed with an appellation contrôlée as the blending of these two vines is not permitted. The Loire’s Sauvignon Blanc is rich and stuffed with green fruit qualities while the Chardonnay adds elegant, zesty acidic notes and deep nuances of exotic fruit. It is ripe and stylish with good fruit, not grassy, but fresh and generous with a characteristic flinty grip at the end. [00] M8 D9

5095

SAUVIGNON BLANC, AOC TOURAINE, 2008, DOMAINE GIBAULT $24.67

ROSÉ, FRISSON D’ÉTÉ”, AOC TOURAINE ROSÉ, 2008, DOMAINE GIBAULT $23.33

6 BTLS/750 ML $140.00

This delightful rosé has a touch of residual sugar that takes the edge of the acidity and makes it approachable and easy to like.

The nose is multi-layered, a sure result of the mix of varietals that Pascal has selected. Both Cabernets bring their sturdy stature to the party, but by adding a small percentage of Pineau d’Aunis, the wine has changed its nature from basic rosé to complex pink. The bouquet has a weighty dollop of grass and leaves, notes of herbs, including thyme and mint, and a deep reservoir of sun-ripened raspberries. As fine and charming in the mouth as a down-filled duvet, the off-dry flavour adds a similar comfort level to the light structure. [01] M9 D9

5097

GAMAY, FRIANDISE, AOC TOURAINE, 2008, DOMAINE GIBAULT $23.33

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

Aroma

Apple tart, gooseberry pie, fresh apricot

Taste

Full, good weight and grip with firm fruit adding depth and length

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Has the weight and gravitas to develop further, try one now and make a judgement, drink 2009 2011

Ideal with

Grilled shrimps

So much in demand that it is permanently “on allocation” Grape Variety

Sauvignon Blanc

Aroma

Clean notes of white fruit and oranges

Taste

Poised, balanced, fresh, zesty acidity

Serve

9° - 10° C

Evolution

Matures well, but it is criminal not to drink it while the fruit is fresh

Ideal with

Warm potato salad with lemon and chives

Quite a big wine, very different from quick, thirst-quenching quaffers Grape Variety

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pineau d’Aunis

Aroma

Ripe, white orchard fruit, pears and crab apples, some earthiness

Taste

Clean, almost dry, weighty entry, good structure

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Like most rosé wine it is meant to be drunk while in its youth

Ideal with

Olive oil dipped barbecued sardines

Wine to make the heart race with excitement

6 BTLS/750 ML $140.00

This is an utterly different wine from the wines of the same grape grown in Beaujolais. A clean, flinty bouquet leads to abundant, young fruit and a mineral-edged palate. It comes from two of Pascal’s small vineyards, totalling only five acres, “Les Cailloux”, covered with small white pebbles and “Les Hayes Jalette”. No casks or wood ever get close during the winemaking as Pascal’s aim is to show off the freshness of the ripe fruit. Utterly uncomplicated, the wine has a vivid, young, purple colour while the bouquet hints at scents of flowers and sap.

The taste is totally berry fruit. M8 D9

8

Grape Variety

6 BTLS/750 ML $148.00

Undoubtedly one of the finest wines of its appellation and type, the domaine wine is only available to loyal customers, as demand far outstrips supply. The vines are grown on two south-facing sites, “Les Faitaux” and “La Loge”, totalling 27 acres where the free-draining, sandy soil reflects the sun onto the fruit bunches during the day. Pascal believes in long, carefully paced winemaking and ageing to develop maximum aroma and flavour. It has a full, fat palate filled with fruit salad flavours. With a fine grip, the depth of flavour is impressive and the finish fine and creamy. [01] M8 D8

5096

A thrilling ride through kiwi, apples, guava and gooseberry

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 189

Grape Variety

Gamay

Aroma

Totally up-front, juicy red berries, flowers

Taste

Tastes as it smells, gorgeous fruit, sap-filled with acidity

Serve

10° - 15° C

Evolution

Ready to be enjoyed

Ideal with

Poached egg salad with shredded Boston lettuce and watercress

LOIRE VALLEY DANIELLE AND PASCAL GIBAULT >>

5098

CABERNET/CÔT, EMOTION, AOC TOURAINE, 2008, DOMAINE GIBAULT $24.33

6 BTLS/750 ML $146.00

Inclined towards the south, the Gibault estate rises gently up from the river, but it is sheltered from the north by a low ridge of higher land. This mini-terroir gives Pascal’s 35 acres a quick start to maturity and allows his fruit to reach perfect phenolic ripeness even in modest vintages. The grapes are better known for their contribution to Bordeaux, but if Gibault’s Cabernets [Franc & Sauvignon] give spice and piquancy, the Côt [Malbec] adds luscious red berry fruit. Good colour, the nose shows structure, finesse and class while the fine, ripe tannins support the luscious fruit.

M7 D8

5099

Delectable, ample, summer compote of plum fruit Grape Variety

Côt [Malbec], Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Aroma

Full of blackberry and briary fruit

Taste

Soft, filled with bright fruit notes and a good, grainy tannin backbone

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Already showing the early signs of softening, it needs another six months in bottle, drink 2010 2012

Ideal with

Sun-dried tomato and ricotta bread with black olives

CRÉMANT DE LOIRE, AOC CRÉMANT DE LOIRE, NV, FLORE AND EMMANUEL RIALLAND, DOMAINE DU PONT DE LIVIER

With freshness, fruit and fine bubbles, this is a super “sparkler”

$28.83

Grape Variety

Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc

Aroma

Biscuits, peaches, pears, toasted almonds

Taste

Citrus, fresh bread crust, creamy complexity

Serve

8° - 10° C

Evolution

Lovely now, but it will continue to soften in the bottle, drink to 2012

Ideal with

Salad of pan-fried rabbit with a sherry dressing

6 BTLS/750 ML $173.00

Meticulously using the same methods as in Champagne, the Rialland’s wine is outstanding. Like Champagne, it is a blend of red and white grapes, lightly crushed to prevent any coloration of the juice before the initial fermentation in steel tanks and then a second, in bottles. A small addition of cane sugar promotes and regulates the production of carbon dioxide. After fermentation, the wine rested in a dark cellar cut into the limestone where, as it matured, it took on typical biscuit characteristics. Pale-coloured, the bubbles rise in a display that enhances the honey and chalky flavour of the Chenin Blanc. [02] M9 D9 Emmanuel and Flore Rialland

LOIRE VALLEY DANIELLE AND PASCAL GIBAULT >>

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

9

5100

CÔTEAUX DU LAYON, AOC CÔTEAUX DU LAYON, 2008, FLORE AND EMMANUEL RIALLAND, DOMAINE DU PONT DE LIVIER

Opulent late-harvest dessert wine

$27.00

Grape Variety

Chenin Blanc

Aroma

Honey, peach, flowers

Taste

Big mouthful of nectar and succulent sweetness

Serve

8° - 10° C

Evolution

For sweetness alone, enjoy now, but these are wines that will last for two decades, drink to 2020

Ideal with

An after dinner drink with coffee, apricot and almond tart

6 BTLS/750 ML $162.00

The cool summer temperatures in addition to the “noble rot” [Botrytis Cinerea] that comes with the mellow mists of early autumn, make the sweet wines of the Loire as fine as any in the world. As each ear of grapes reaches dehydration they are hand-picked before the yeast begins its battle to ferment the huge weight of the residual sugar. Goldenhued, the powerful intensity of alcohol and grape sugar fills the glass with the scents of honey, acacia, camomile and apricot. Rich and unctuous, it finishes with a round, lingering farewell. [06] M6 D7

5101

ROSÉ D’ANJOU, AOC ROSÉ D’ANJOU, 2008, FLORE AND EMMANUEL RIALLAND, DOMAINE DU PONT DE LIVIER $23.00

6 BTLS/750 ML $138.00

The Rialland rosé is produced uniquely from the local red Grolleau grape from their south-facing, fifty acre vineyard on a sloping, free-draining sand and lime terroir. Working together among the vines and in the winery, Flore and Emmanuel are impassioned about the quality of their wines which are ranked among the best of the Anjou appellation.

The wine, crystal clear with a salmon pink hue, has an intense bouquet reminiscent of raspberries and strawberries.

It is rich with a small hint of liquorice and redcurrant, the fresh acidity creating perfect, lively balance. [03] M8 D9

5102

POUILLY FUMÉ, AOC POUILLY FUMÉ, 2008, JEANPAUL MOLLET, DOMAINE MOLLET-MAUDRY $31.00

6 BTLS/750 ML $186.00

From their restored XVI century home and winery, Florian, with his father Jean-Paul, produces wines from a site-specific vineyard, rich in chalk, planted on the cherished “Les Sables” site of Tracy-sur-Loire. The vines, now more than 35 years old, yield only 22 hectolitres per hectare; these piquant Sauvignon grapes produce wines of huge intensity. It is not just a grassy, acidic, dry white, it is round, lush and filled with fruit, fantastic concentration and balance. With an aromatic, flower fragrant bouquet and finishing with clean, crisp fruit, the limestone-edged minerality has great length. [00] M7 D7

5103

SANCERRE BLANC, AOC SANCERRE, 2008, FLORIAN MOLLET, DOMAINE MOLLET-MAUDRY $31.67

6 BTLS/750 ML $190.00

The wines from Mollet’s estate manage to capture the wild aromas of nettles and elderflowers with tropical and grapefruit nuances. The grapes for this wine, sourced exclusively from Mollet-Maudry’s vineyard on the hills of Sancerre, were lightly pressed as soon as they reached the press-house, then chilled and fermented slowly to preserve their exuberant varietal characteristics. No oak was used, only a light filtration before bottling. The bouquet is an adventure, a wild mix of green fruit, sappy leaves, peach and lime followed by a powerful, grassy palate with racy acidity and big bold features. [00] M7 D8

10

A soft and crisp swirl of strawberries and cream

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 189

Grape Variety

Grolleau

Aroma

A bouquet of flowers and ripening red berries

Taste

Fresh, clean, generously grapey with memories of grape sugar

Serve

8° - 10° C

Evolution

Simply delightful now, it will drink well for a couple of years

Ideal with

Appetizers, cold meats, poultry and other white meats

Distinctively summer flowers, gooseberries, flint and liquorice Grape Variety

Sauvignon Blanc

Aroma

Aromatic with pungent “green” aromas of bell pepper and fresh crushed herbs

Taste

Mouth-watering streak of minerals, hints of subtropical fruit and a layer of grassy gooseberry

Serve

9° - 10° C

Evolution

Allow a few months for it to stretch to the bottle, it will last for three to five years, drink 2010 2014

Ideal with

Warm jasmine rice salad with shrimp and Thai herbs, salmon and rice wrapped in pastry with dill sauce

Clean, dry, pure, filled with ripe fruit Grape Variety

Sauvignon Blanc

Aroma

Clean, fresh, enticing lemon, leafy green aromas

Taste

Citrus and mineral fruits leading to crisp acidity and exotic fruit, good length

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Try it young, enjoy its march to soft maturity, drink 2009 - 2012

Ideal with

Baked fish fillets with a spinach and pine nut topping

LOIRE VALLEY DANIELLE AND PASCAL GIBAULT >>

Florian Mollet

5104

SANCERRE ROUGE, AOC SANCERRE, 2007, FLORIAN MOLLET, DOMAINE MOLLET-MAUDRY $32.17

6 BTLS/750 ML $193.00

Mollet-Maudry has Pinot Noir in the best vineyards in Saint-Satur, Ménétréol-sous-Sancerre and Sancerre. Their passion, “quality before quantity”, is secured by restricting the vines through vigorous bunch pruning throughout preripening. The grapes, from vines planted on stark, white chalk soil, were de-stalked before 10 days of maceration in stainless steel vats followed by light pressing. Fermentation was immediately followed by malolactic fermentation which reduces the impact of acidity and develops and broadens the flavours. In the glass the wine has a moderate red colour with a pleasant bouquet supported by vibrant raspberry fruit. Juicy berry flavours fill the mouth and accompany cool, mineral-nuanced undertones. M7 D7

5105

MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE, SUR LIE, AOC MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE, 2008, YVES AND JÉRÉMIE HUCHET, DOMAINE DE LA CHAUVINIÈRE $23.33

6 BTLS/750 ML $140.00

The unique terroir of Chauvinière is partly responsible for its fantastic quality. It is a degraded granite [granodiorite with biotites and hornblende] known as the “Granit de ChâteauThébaud” which covers only 4% of the Muscadet region. The estate, now 75 acres built up by Yves from his original holding of only 10 acres, follows the TERRA VITIS regime, a midpoint on the road to organic production. The wine has a pale green colour and lively acidity with a complex and intense nose. In the mouth look for sliced green apple, dessert pears and lime fresh acidity. The ample body is in part due to fermentation in ancient oak casks. [00] M8 D8 LOIRE VALLEY DANIELLE AND PASCAL GIBAULT >>

A double winner, this has both grace and elegance Grape Variety

Pinot Noir

Aroma

Soft, rich wine displaying plums and cherries

Taste

Perfect balance between juicy ripe fruit, fresh acidity, grainy tannins and elegance

Serve

18° C

Evolution

No intention here to create a wine for long life, drink to 2013

Ideal with

Roast lamb, game, soft cheeses

Simply put, it is outstanding!

Grape Variety

Melon de Bourgogne

Aroma

Complexity brought about by ageing on the lees

Taste

Good weight and concentration followed by a clean, crisp finish

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Huchet’s wines are among the few that can take time to mature, drink 2009 - 2012

Ideal with

Dandelion salad with warm hazelnut vinaigrette, salmon trout poached in white wine

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

11

5106

ST-NICOLAS-DE-BOURGUEIL, AOC SAINT NICOLAS DE BOURGUEIL, 2008, DOMAINE OLIVIER $25.83

6 BTLS/750 ML $155.00

Along the banks of the Loire, the ramparts of limestone tower steeply. Above, a flat plain of pastel-shaded vineyards stretches over clay and limestone producing wines of fine quality, their characteristics a mirror of the terroir. The Olivier domaine, once a pear orchard, now covers 75 acres, producing supple wines with fruit, a floral bouquet reminiscent of violets, and raspberry, blackcurrant and cherry on the palate. Although delicious when young, Agnes suggests that her wine can be kept for up to 30 years! This vineyard has adopted “agriculture raisonnée”, minimum use of fungicides and natural grass with vegetation over 50% of the vineyard to sustain wildlife. M5 D6

5107

CUVÉE PRESTIGE, AOC CHINON, 2008, DOMAINE CHARLES PAIN $26.33

Grape Variety

Cabernet Franc

Aroma

Soft, ripe, hints of green peppers and string beans

Taste

A firm injection of cassis and black cherry

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Drinks well when just past youth, drink 2010 - 2020

Ideal with

Grilled rib-eye steaks with green chile mushroom salsa butter, grilled lamb kebabs with cumin and cinnamon

A bright, fruity, youthful red with supple tannins

6 BTLS/750 ML $158.00

Chinon, on the south bank of the central Loire, has a rich wine history with the Cabernet Franc being introduced by Cardinal Richelieu in the 1600s. The area was made more celebrated by the great author Rabelais, who was born close to Chinon and used the village as a setting in his writing. Charles Pain, with 45 acres of Cabernet Franc, produces wine with a complex aroma offering cassis, eucalyptus and sweet spice. The palate is notably fresh with an exuberance of juicy cassis, strawberry and soft redcurrant. With a firm, tannic structure and length, in a cool cellar the Cuvée Prestige will keep for many years. M6 D7

5108

An attractive red from a little known appellation

Grape Variety

Cabernet Franc

Aroma

Pungently spicy with red fruit, damsons, mirabelles and attractive secondary spice notes

Taste

Raspberry jam mingled with velvet tannins

Serve

12° - 14° C

Evolution

Plenty of stocky tannin to keep this in maturation for several years, drink 2010 - 2015

Ideal with

Fatty meat dishes such as shoulder of lamb or game

SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY, AOC SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY, CUVÉE TRADITION, 2007, JEAN-LUC AND JEAN ALBERT MARY, DOMAINE DE LA CUNE

Roots are down to 15 metres to extract water and mineral nutrients

$27.83

Grape Variety

Cabernet Franc

Aroma

A bowl of freshly picked black berries with a roll of milled black pepper

Taste

Friendly attack, easy fruit, soft tannins provide grip and length

Serve

16° - 18° C

Evolution

Good when young, matures majestically, will live a decade, drink 2010 - 2019

Ideal with

Grilled quail salad with creamy garlic vinaigrette

6 BTLS/750 ML $167.00

Nine small communes to the southeast of Saumur comprise this Cabernet Franc appellation. The estate is farmed

by Jean-Luc and Jean-Albert Mary, qualified oenologists who, due to their formal training in Bordeaux, Australia and California, ensure that traditional winemaking is enhanced by technology rather than replaced by it. Now showing a deep purple colour, their wine has huge concentration of red and black fruit aromas, raspberry and blackcurrant. Fullbodied, the sumptuous fruit is balanced by soft, vibrant tannins. Already attractive, it will age gracefully for up to ten years, becoming spicier as the tannins soften. M5 D7

Pascal and Danielle Gibault

12

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 189

LOIRE VALLEY DANIELLE AND PASCAL GIBAULT

This vast area, hot and windless in summer, is a landscape of rocks and crags with little soil, making it difficult to cultivate. It is perfect for olives and stone fruit, but most of all for vines which flourish in the dry soil and make wines of endless variety. With consumption falling in France there is no encouragement to produce great volume. Therefore, lowering harvest levels has lead to an exponential increase in quality.

The Wines of

Southern France

SOUTHERN FRANCE >>

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Carcassonne

13

TORTOISE CREEK Languedoc As a young man Melvyn Master worked for Ken Christie, but having been born into one of Britain’s great brewing families, he did not stay around long. With his new bride, he ventured to the other side of the world, before returning to buy vines and make wine in France. Mel and Janie now own a number of restaurants and bars in Denver, as well as their home and wine estate in the south of France.

Mel and Janie Master

5110

CHARDONNAY, TORTOISE CREEK, 2008, VIN DE PAYS D’OC $20.83

12 BTLS/750 ML $250.00

This wine is produced by several growers from the village of Argeliers on free-draining and reflective gravel that ripens the fruit early. After picking, the cleaned juice is fermented at very low temperatures before resting for three months on the fine lees to enhance the fruit-driven structure. This vintage has absolutely no oak, the nose showing tropical fruits and summer flowers along with guava. The palate follows the same path, adding pineapple, mango and passion fruit on the finish. [00] M8 D8

5111

SAUVIGNON BLANC, TORTOISE CREEK, 2008, VIN DE PAYS D’OC $20.83

12 BTLS/750 ML $250.00

The Tortoise Creek story is one of romance and fun, dating from Mel and Janie’s early days in France when they were fascinated by the amorous terrapins in the local creek. The grapes for this wine came from close to Montpelier, chosen because of its cool climate. After crushing, the juice was held at zero degrees for ten days before fermentation to enhance the aromas and balance. Pale yellow with hints of green, the colour leads to an aromatic bouquet that sings with upfront grapefruit and passion fruit and is followed by citrus, honey and flint. The flavours are fresh, crisp and dry, packed with citrus notes that go on to the full, generous finish. [00] M8 D8

14

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 189

Seriously good wine Grape Variety

Chardonnay

Aroma

Expressive, wildly apple and pear

Taste

Fat, opulent, balance and harmony

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Delicious, hardly worth putting it away

Ideal with

Great on its own, rich chicken dishes

A delicious, crisp Sauvignon Blanc enhanced by lees contact Grape Variety

Sauvignon Blanc

Aroma

Flint with edges of honey and citrus

Taste

Great fruit concentration, fresh lingering finish

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Don’t lose the freshness of the upfront fruit, drink 2009 - 2010

Ideal with

Grilled chicken with goat cheese salad

SOUTHERN FRANCE TORTOISE CREEK >>

5112

VIOGNIER, TORTOISE CREEK, 2008, VIN DE PAYS D’OC $20.83

12 BTLS/750 ML $250.00

The grapes come from a small parcel of vines in Argeliers which produces outstanding varietal fruit that gives a floral, peachy nose and lifted fruit with great acidity and weight on the palate. The soft, yellow straw, bright colour introduces a full-bodied wine with balanced acidity. It offers tropical fruits, soft, sweet herbs and a smooth floral aroma with a pure and intense flavour. Rich and lush in the mouth, it has fine length and intensity. [00] M8 D8

5113

GRENACHE ROSÉ, TORTOISE CREEK, 2008, VIN DE PAYS D’OC $20.42

12 BTLS/750 ML $245.00

This is another of those simply irresistible pink wines made from upfront, fruity, ripe Grenache grapes. To enhance the fruit, the grapes were picked when just past ripeness, then gently pressed and cold-stored to obtain the perfect shade of onion skin pink. Grenache makes lovely rosé; this is dry, crisp, fresh and fruity with refined, subtle flavours of strawberry jam. Fresh pears dominate the palate leaving the mouth refreshed and clean. [00] M8 D9

5114

MERLOT-CABERNET, TORTOISE CREEK, 2008, VIN DE PAYS D’OC $20.42

12 BTLS/750 ML $245.00

The fruit came from four fine estates lying between Montpelier and Nîmes, where cool ambient temperatures create ideal conditions for perfect polyphenolic ripening.

The developed condition of the fruit gives the wines full body with complex, red fruit flavours and subdued grainy tannins. The nose shows lifted aromas of sweet, ripe blackcurrant, mint and green leaf. These are dominant on the palate with the less obvious Cabernet Sauvignon only playing a supporting role adding black cherry and spice that mingles with liquorice and tar notes on the finish. M8 D8

5115

SHIRAZ, TORTOISE CREEK, 2008, VIN DE PAYS D’OC $20.42

12 BTLS/750 ML $245.00

The fruit for this mellow monster was sourced from two top estates sited close to Béziers, both selected for the ripeness and the balanced characteristics of their wines.

The estates made their wine separately, but followed the same fermentation practice with maceration on the lees extending over three weeks. After blending, a portion was aged in new French oak. It is now elegantly fragrant, the nuances of oak vanillin suggesting blackberry, anise, flowers and liquorice while a fat, supple palate mingles harmony and finesse. This is a huge wine with velvet texture against a mass of ripe plum and dark berry fruit. M8 D8

SOUTHERN FRANCE TORTOISE CREEK

All the primary fruit flavour you would expect of fine Viognier Grape Variety

Viognier

Aroma

Peaches, pears, honeysuckle

Taste

Savoury cereal impression, peach, pear, a long, buttery finish

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Don’t lose the lemonade freshness of the delicious fruit

Ideal with

Char-grilled baby squid

The ideal partner to a sunny afternoon Grape Variety

Grenache

Aroma

Delicate, forward fruit perfumes

Taste

Sappy, leafy, acidic, strawberry, citrus

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Utterly ready, catch this beauty early

Ideal with

Grilled prawns with a squeeze of lemon and garlic butter

A classic red blend with plenty of southern character Grape Variety

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

Aroma

Piquant spice, warm red berries

Taste

Ripe red fruit, black cherries

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Not quite together, will drink well within a few months, drink 2009 - 2012

Ideal with

Veal in a creamy mushroom sauce

A combination of spice and pepper with ripe blackberry Grape Variety

Syrah

Aroma

Mulberries, leather, vanilla and warm summer pudding

Taste

Soft, warming, big fruit, mellow tannins

Serve

17° - 19° C

Evolution

It has great structure and will last several years, drink end 2009 - 2012

Ideal with

Lemongrass beef skewers with aromatic rice

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

15

ALAIN GRIGNON, LGI Carcassonne From his office in the heart of the Midi, Alain Grignon looks over the ancient walled city of Carcassonne towards nearby vineyards where skirting mountains and rocky limestone outcrops roll for a hundred miles and more in each direction. Alain, the best known négociant of the Languedoc Roussillon, keeps close contact with the best growers in each of the many appellations that lie between the sharp folds in the unpromising landscape.

5116

LAGARDE, VIN DE PAYS DU COMTÉ TOLOSAN, 2008 $17.83

12 BTLS/750 ML $214.00

The fruit was harvested early, in perfect condition of optimum ripeness and, more importantly, before the acidity started to wane. Gently crushed, the must was left overnight to settle and clarify the juice. Natural malolactic fermentation added an extra dimension to the palate, a bold, integrated apple and peach flavour. This is an attractive, aromatic white, with delicious fruit, fine balance and fresh, racy acidity at the finish. [01] M8 D9

5117

Grape Variety

Ugni Blanc, French Colombard

Aroma

Floral, fragrant, solid grapey background

Taste

Good weight, fresh, clean, sappy flavour

Serve

8° - 10° C

Evolution

Made to drink young

Ideal with

Baked halibut steaks with mustard-fennel butter

LAGARDE, VIN DE PAYS DE L’HÉRAULT, 2008 $17.83

12 BTLS/750 ML $214.00

The wine is made in the traditional manner with the grapes harvested by hand and then gently crushed. The very latest winemaking techniques are used to release the colour and to produce a modern, forward, fruity wine with no oak ageing. Designed for immediate drinking, it is deep garnet in colour with a spicy, ripe nose. The palate is rich with fruit and a hint of peppery spice. It is well-balanced with soft and elegant tannins on the finish. M8 D8

16

Much more interest than its price suggests

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 189

Quaffable and versatile Grape Variety

Carignan, Grenache, Merlot

Aroma

Concentrated, ripe berries and pepper

Taste

Welcoming red fruits accompanied by silky tannins

Serve

17° C

Evolution

Produced for early enjoyment

Ideal with

Ideal on its own, red meat dishes, pasta

SOUTHERN FRANCE ALAIN GRIGNON, LGI >>

5118

MERLOT, LA CAMPAGNE, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008 $19.33

12 BTLS/750 ML $232.00

Over a number of years Alain, with the inspired work of his winemakers Eric Roure and Xavier Roger, has reshaped the Midi Merlot, moving to wines with bold and well-rounded flavours, easy to enjoy and with no oak ageing. The destemmed fruit was crushed and cold-macerated for five days. Fermentation in temperature controlled steel tanks followed before fifteen days of skin contact after which it was pressed and gently filtered before bottling. It has fine, piquant, peppery aromas showing intense cherry with violet nuances. The palate is brimming with ripe, black fruit flavours and subdued, mouth-caressing tannins. M8 D8

5119

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, LA CAMPAGNE, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008 $19.33

CHARDONNAY, LES ARGELIÈRES , VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008 $20.42

Merlot

Aroma

Lavish plum and black cherry

Taste

Generous, finish dominated by blueberry and cassis with ground pepper

Serve

17° C

Evolution

Easy to enjoy now, this is a two year wine, drink to 2011

Ideal with

Penne with stir-fried beef and red bell pepper

Versatile, flavourful, wine at a corking price Grape Variety

Cabernet Sauvignon

Aroma

Blackberry jam, cherry, black fruit

Taste

Dark berries, cassis, black cherries

Serve

17° - 19° C

Evolution

Already coming around, still rather shut in after recent bottling, it will develop quickly, drink late 2009 - 2012

Ideal with

Lamb chops with coarse-grain mustard and red tomato chutney

Awash with fruit

12 BTLS/750 ML $245.00

This starts with a simple, youthful bouquet while in the glass building an interesting quality. The pale, straw-golden colour moves to refined citrus, peach and fig, a touch of exotic floral elements and subtle oak complexity with hints of hazelnut and cream. Snappy and fresh with intense lemony acidity, the palate has exceptional purity of flavour, balance and length.

Clearly, the oak-ageing has had a great influence and benefit on the presentation. [00] M7 D8

5121

Grape Variety

12 BTLS/750 ML $232.00

Alain took the name for this blend from the local description of a large farm, La Campagne. It is produced entirely following traditional winemaking, using large concrete fermentation tanks open to the air with control of the temperature managed by opening the barn’s wooden shutters. Elemental as it is, this system of cooling works perfectly! Recently bottled, the colour is a deep purple while the nose is energetically aromatic with a perfume of sweet pepper, cassis and crushed berries infused with notes of cinnamon and fennel.

Full flavours in the mouth lead to an impressive, long and balanced finish. M7 D8

5120

Seamlessly smooth with succulent fruit flavours

Grape Variety

Chardonnay

Aroma

Citrus and peach with butterscotch, toasted oak and butter

Taste

Pineapple, mango, the mid-palate showing small notes of integrated oak

Serve

9° C

Evolution

It will develop for 3 years, drink 2009/2010 - 2012

Ideal with

Seafood, particularly lobster and shrimps

SYRAH, LES ARGELIÈRES, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008 $20.42

12 BTLS/750 ML $245.00

Produced on the hot, flat plain between the coast and rising foothills, this has a warm heart and gushes with juicy fruit.

Not yet mature enough to have developed complexity, what has yet to evolve is more than compensated for by the energy and concentration of the palate. It has a dense, dark red colour with a fresh and piquant bouquet, totally characteristic of the Syrah of Southern France, offering black berries, spices and liquorice. The mouth, well-structured and smooth, extends this confection of flavours into the lengthy finish which is continually supported by fine, supple, grainy tannins. M7 D7

SOUTHERN FRANCE ALAIN GRIGNON, LGI >>

Spicy Syrah sure to be a hit!

Grape Variety

Syrah

Aroma

Great fruit, windfall damsons, black plums, ripe blackberries, a twist of black pepper

Taste

The attractive, open fruit hides the robust, tannic, structure

Serve

17° C

Evolution

Just out of the crib, but growing fast, drink late 2009 - 2012

Ideal with

Casseroles, stews, pâté, tomato-based pasta sauces

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

17

GREAT ESTATES AND DOMAINES OF THE MIDI

La Clotte-Fontane Cellars

5122

DOMAINE MONDIÉ, MERLOT-SYRAH, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008 $19.33

12 BTLS/750 ML $232.00

Alain never fails to offer this estate. He feels that in a very competitive market, for wines of little known estates, this one offers a great deal. This well presented bottle of wine is blended from the most popular grapes of the south. The nose is expressive and offers a mix of fruit with fragrant aromas from the shrubs of the garrigue that surround the vines. In the mouth it opens with the sweet flavour of strawberry jam before building on the ripe grape tannins in the middle palate. With great colour and masses of fruit, this is a lot of wine for the money. M7 D7

5123

CHÂTEAU MONTOULIERS, AOC MINERVOIS, 2008 $19.67

12 BTLS/750 ML $236.00

In an area fought over through the Middle Ages, the isolation of the region remains an historical bookmark with villages still crowning hilltops for protection against surprise invasion. The vineyard of Montouliers is spread over a rocky hillside with vines going back over a century. Its colour is almost opaque, the nose shows concentrated black fruit with an intense, complex bouquet of plums, notes of freshly picked thyme and figs. In the mouth it starts with the stringy grip of tannin, at first harsh, but then softer as cassis with old leather mixes with forest floor leaves. It is a wine of great concentration and obvious tannins creating delightful texture and black fruit complexity. M7 D8

18

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 189

Wonderful red for every day Grape Variety

Merlot, Syrah

Aroma

Fruity nose of berries, hints of spice and freshly picked mint

Taste

Juicy, round and plump in the middle with the finish dominated by blackberry fruit

Serve

17° C

Evolution

Will drink well later this year, drink 2009 - 2012

Ideal with

Braised beef fillets with a Syrah sauce

Rich flavour, typical warm southern characteristics, easy to enjoy Grape Variety

Syrah, Grenache

Aroma

Black fruit, figs, dried fruit, plum

Taste

Firm and gripping, but softening in the mouth

Serve

17° C

Evolution

Almost ready, although tannic this is part of the overall mouth-feel

Ideal with

Pâté, fine hard cheese

SOUTHERN FRANCE ALAIN GRIGNON, LGI >>

5124

DOMAINE CASTAN, LES TERRES ROUGES, AOC COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC, 2008 $21.75

12 BTLS/750 ML $261.00

Thirty years ago André Castan, wishing to express his artistry in his wine, bought this parcel of land and planted vines which now root deeply into the volcanic, iron-rich subsoil. Terres Rouges speaks for itself. It is strong red soil perfect for the classic reds, Syrah and Grenache, which produce a fine blend with a deep ruby colour and fruit-driven aromas of cassis, redcurrant, smoke and spice. Soft, lush and ripe, with enticing fruit, it is easy, generous and balanced. M7 D8

5125

CHÂTEAU SALITIS, CUVÉE PREMIUM, AOC CABARDÈS, 2007 $22.75

CHÂTEAU LA CLOTTE-FONTANE, CUVÉE MATHIÉROU, AOC COTEAUX DU LANGUEDOC, 2008 $23.50

Syrah, Grenache

Aroma

Red berries, spices

Taste

Full-bodied with firm tannins

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Made to be enjoyed young, but it has enough tannin to give it several years of life, drink 2010 - 2014

Ideal with

Spiced beef and sweet potato stir fry, venison steaks with red cabbage confit and red wine sauce

Sophisticated wine from a little known region Grape Variety

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Grenache

Aroma

Raspberry, sweet plum fruit

Taste

Savoury and focused with a peppery, spicy-edge to taut, dark fruit

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Fruit-driven, it will do well if matured for a couple of years, drink 2010 - 2015

Ideal with

Grilled porterhouse steaks with mixed green salad

A dense, dark wine with Syrah taking the passenger seat

12 BTLS/750 ML $282.00

This stunning wine, with an intense aroma and palate, comes from the property belonging to Philippe and Maryline Pagès, built on top of a Roman villa which gives it its name. The winery was built on several different levels so that the wines can be worked by gravity. The temperature control equipment is “state of the art” and the winery so pristine that one feels that eating off the floor would be no problem! The Cuvée Mathiérou comes from within the 35 acres of sloped vineyards covered with large, red volcanic stones. Deep ruby in colour, the ripe blackberry fruit reveals a touch of smoke, not from barrels but from the ash and pine forests that once covered the land. This big wine features abundant fruit and hearty tannins with liquorice notes adding to perfect balance. M6 D7

5127

Grape Variety

12 BTLS/750 ML $273.00

The new winemaker, Anne Marandon, has undoubtedly made this the most important property in the appellation. It lies on a south-facing bluff with large vineyards running down the slopes towards the Canal du Midi which cuts the region in two. Using at least five varietals in her top blend, Anne allows the wines to rest on their lees for long periods, leaching flavour from the activity in the tanks. Château Salitis wines were formerly dominated by wood, but it is not used here as Anne seeks the characteristics found in her sun-ripened fruit rather than the forest.

Medium deep in colour, the nose has brought the varieties together in a vinous symphony. The refined bouquet is joined by a rich, lively, structured flavour. M6 D7

5126

Early drinking appeal

Grape Variety

Grenache, Syrah

Aroma

Fragrant smoke with ripe cherry, chocolate and blackberry juice

Taste

Great poise and structure balanced with juicy red cherry and blackberry

Serve

17° C

Evolution

Very young, not yet into its stride, drink 2010 -2015

Ideal with

Boeuf Bourguignon

LE ROUGE DE L'AZEROLLE, AOC MINERVOIS, 2008 $24.83

6 BTLS/750 ML $149.00

Pure Cinsault is a rare and wonderful challenge to anyone curious to see what has happened to a grape that was once a pillar of French ordinariness. By greatly reducing yields and selecting only the best clones, Raymond Julien has found his answer. Hand-picked bunches go straight into the tanks where carbonic maceration loosens the pigment ensuring deep colour and intense aroma. The colour is dense, thick and purple, the bouquet overflowing with soft, fresh fruit nuances that linger in the mouth. M7 D8

SOUTHERN FRANCE ALAIN GRIGNON, LGI >>

Supple, fruity, full-bodied Grape Variety

Cinsault

Aroma

Diverse bouquet of red fruits, turned earth, violets

Taste

Fruity palate, cassis, blackberry

Serve

14° - 19° C

Evolution

Best drunk young, within 2 to 3 years

Ideal with

Red meat dishes, aged cheeses

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

19

PAUL SAPIN SA Southern France

Un nouvel esprit du Vin

20

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 189

The partnership between Thierry Coulon, owner of Paul Sapin, and Olivier Mandeville-Peirière of Domaine Peirière is hugely successful, built upon respect between the two partners. Olivier grows the fruit on his 560+ acres of vineyards, leaving Sapin to produce the wine. With Canadian exclusivity for the domaine, Opimian is perfectly placed to enjoy the wines of the large southern estate certified under ISO 9001. Sapin’s bottling plant has reached full authentication under the HACCP scheme, the systematic preventive approach to food and pharmaceutical safety that addresses physical, chemical and biological hazards as a means of prevention rather than finished product inspection.

SOUTHERN FRANCE PAUL SAPIN SA >>

5131

LES OMBRAGES, VIN DE PAYS DES CÔTES DE GASCOGNE BLANC, 2008 $18.42

12 BTLS/750 ML $221.00

Wines from this Vin de Pays are particularly bright and fragrant with lovely floral perfumes. After the harvest, but before the acidity started to wane, the grapes were gently crushed and then left refrigerated overnight to settle and clarify the juice. Fermentation was temperature-controlled and the wine saw no oak; only the pure fruit gives the wine its characteristics. It is already a bold, fresh, intensely aromatic white wine with delicious green fruit flavours and attractive, balanced acidity. [02] M8 D9

5132

12 BTLS/750 ML $216.00

This medium-bodied red comes from the area immediately north of Avignon where three quarters of the wines are entirely produced from flavoursome Grenache grapes.

Picked at full ripeness before crushing and fermentation in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks, it is bottled young to conserve the parade of red fruit flavours that emphasize blackcurrants and raspberries with soft, supple tannins and a clean finish. M8 D9

CHARDONNAY, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008, LOUIS MONDEVILLE $19.00

Colombard, Ugni Blanc

Aroma

Floral notes, fruit blossom

Taste

Apple, white cherries

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Enjoy the cool, fresh lift of flavour

Ideal with

Thai spices shrimp salad with Asian greens and pesto dressing

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008, LOUIS MONDEVILLE $18.42

Lively, easy, simply red fruit Grape Variety

Grenache, Carignan, Syrah

Aroma

Soft blueberry, plum and raspberry

Taste

Smooth structure, gentle tannin, rounded and well-balanced palate

Serve

16° - 18° C

Evolution

Intended to be enjoyed when young

Ideal with

Broiled lamb chops with lemon caper sauce

A million miles ahead of flabby, oaky competitors

12 BTLS/750 ML $228.00

After picking and pressing, the juice was cooled to 8 to 10º C for 4 to 6 hours before cool fermentation at 18º C. This produced a golden-coloured wine with bright and young attributes which quickly fill the glass with stone fruit aromas of peaches and nectarines combining with melon and lemon-scented acidity. On the palate, rich, juicy notes balance the creamy textures that result from malolactic fermentation. Development in the bottle will provide complexity which will bring forward a fuller fruit flavour and richness. [01] M8 D8

5134

Grape Variety

LES OMBRAGES, VIN DE PAYS DU VAUCLUSE, 2008 $18.00

5133

Lively, bright, charming

Grape Variety

Chardonnay

Aroma

Green apple, macadamia nuts, honey

Taste

Soft and rich, fresh fruit, some fatness on the middle palate

Serve

10° C

Evolution

Rather steely now, it will develop well, drink 2009 - 2012

Ideal with

Chicken with fettuccine in a cream sauce

Good structure, fairly complex, very good value

12 BTLS/750 ML $221.00

Olivier Mandeville-Peirière has emerged as an incredibly talented viticulturalist having won the “Winemaker of the Year” award. He now focuses on producing fine grapes, allowing Paul Sapin to make the wines in the state-of-theart winery near Mâcon. The vines were rigorously controlled throughout the summer with green-pruning in late July to reduce the crop size before harvesting, pressing and fermentation in steel tanks prior to spring bottling. Bright purple, it is a medium-bodied wine with classic cassis aromas and a palate of red berry fruit underpinned by ripe, grainy tannins. Not completely dry, the low residual sugar softens the attack making the entry and mouth-feel fuller. M7 D8

SOUTHERN FRANCE PAUL SAPIN SA >>

Grape Variety

Cabernet Sauvignon

Aroma

A whiff of blackcurrant, tea leaves and a hint of green leaves

Taste

Mingled notes of black fruit, plums and berries

Serve

18° C

Evolution

While still youthful, it will mature quickly, drink 2009 - 2012

Ideal with

All-American half-pounders seared on the barbecue

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

21

5135

SYRAH, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008, LOUIS MONDEVILLE $18.42

12 BTLS/750 ML $221.00

The Syrah from Olivier’s estate is sourced from vines planted by his father. The vines, now over 30 years old, come from a clone that yields distinctly small berries with a high skin to pulp ratio guaranteeing deep colour and a superior level of flavour. After pressing, the crush was macerated before the onset of fermentation to help the extraction of the gentle tannins. Following two months on the yeast lees, the wine was gently filtered and bottled.

Powerful with blueberry and cinnamon, the ripe tannins and small notes of cedar add to the soft, lingering finish. M7 D7

5136

VIOGNIER, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008, DOMAINE PEIRIÈRE $19.25

SAUVIGNON BLANC, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008, DOMAINE PEIRIÈRE $19.25

GRENACHE ROSÉ, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008, DOMAINE PEIRIÈRE $18.67

Aroma

Lifted sweet fruits, notably blackberry, with vanillin and pepper notes

Taste

Spicy red fruits fill the palate with added fine tannins, black pepper and spice

Serve

17° - 20° C

Evolution

Good, but more time in bottle will improve the harmony and presentation, drink 2010 - 2013

Ideal with

Chicken with sherry vinegar garnished with tarragon and rosemary

Fantastic wine, beautifully balanced Grape Variety

Viognier

Aroma

Apples, unripe pears, just-picked peaches

Taste

Fresh, light, pungent, malic

Serve

9° - 10° C

Evolution

Just bursting to get out of the bottle

Ideal with

As an apertif, seafood such as mussels, langoustines or lobster

Wonderful roundness with delicious, full citrus fruit Grape Variety

Sauvignon Blanc

Aroma

Impressive, fresh fragrance, gooseberry fruit

Taste

Clean, vigorous, neat mineral with forceful fruit

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Absolutely ready now

Ideal with

Malpeques, Thai fish cakes with cucumber sauce

Sip and relax

12 BTLS/750 ML $224.00

One of a modern generation of light, but complex, rosés, it fills the glass with an attractive light pink. Then it shows nuances of cherry, raspberry and herbs on the nose alongside grassy, fresh Sauvignon Blanc style aromas. On the palate small rosehip and cranberry notes add interest where the fresh acidity penetrates a flood of raspberry jam and cherry. In spite of the vivid, bright fruit, it retains tangy acidity and steely mineral in the mid-palate, leaving the finish crisp. [01] M8 D9

22

Syrah

12 BTLS/750 ML $231.00

This wine is a grand success. It has masses of fun-filled interest starting with its greenish colour followed by an irrepressible bouquet and then a lively lime-accented palate. While acknowledging the place of New Zealand in producing fullflavoured Sauvignon Blanc, this is one of the best tasting examples of the grape to have passed our tasting room door; it is an absolute steal at the price! The bouquet shows lifted elderberry and white peach reinforced by apple notes. Fresh with a ripe, creamy palate it is lined with rich mineral and citrus acidity that carries the flavours and underpins the crisp finish. [01] M8 D8

5138

Grape Variety

12 BTLS/750 ML $231.00

This is so often a staid and oily-flavoured variety that this vaulting, leaping, lively star is a huge surprise. The aromas are pure, joyful expressions of mildly acidic fruit; think of freshly picked crab apples or lime squeezed on an oyster. The nuances of the bouquet are endless primarily featuring exotic aromas of tropical fruit. Within moments of pouring, a fine rim of tiny bubbles points out the reason for its vivacity. It is filled with dissolved, natural CO2 carrying and promoting the flavours. Un-oaked, it explodes with notes of peaches, nectarines and apricots. The crisp and fresh malic acidity and pear flavours leap through to a clean finish. [01] M8 D8

5137

Fine marriage of ancient vineyards and modern winemaking

OPIMIAN CELLAR OFFERING 189

Grape Variety

Grenache Noir

Aroma

A potpourri of bright red and pink fruit nuances

Taste

Herby, sappy, fresh fruit with vivid acidity

Serve

9° C

Evolution

Perfectly ready

Ideal with

Grilled langoustines, marinated rainbow trout with fennel

SOUTHERN FRANCE PAUL SAPIN SA >>

5139

MERLOT, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008, DOMAINE PEIRIÈRE $18.58

12 BTLS/750 ML $223.00

This is one of the best examples we have seen of this much-loved grape from the Pays d’Oc. It has just the perfect level of spice to add interest to the fruit. Good concentration of ripe red and black fruits, fine tannins and a smooth, elegant texture are further enhanced by a touch of smoke from a short period of American oak ageing. The nose is intense and leads to flavours that are bursting with ripe black fruit and spicy influences with gentle, although youthful, tannins. M7 D8

5140

PINOT NOIR, VIN DE PAYS D’OC, 2008, DOMAINE PEIRIÈRE $19.50

Bulging at the seams with fleshy fruit

12 BTLS/750 ML $234.00

This is a difficult grape with which to work in the southern summer, but though this has little of the subtlety of northern wines, it has a notably pinkish colour which mirrors the thin skins of the grapes. Full ripeness developed the complexity of the bouquet and palate. The nose is light with raspberry-scented fruit mixed with red cherries and a subtle hint of wild herbs. It is delicate and refined with perfumed oak vanillin harmonizing with ripe, succulent berries, mineral notes and lively, grainy acidity that extends the flavour. M7 D8

Grape Variety

Merlot

Aroma

Intense, ripe cherry aromas with black pepper and capsicum

Taste

Ripe black fruit, spicy influences, gentle tannins

Serve

18° C

Evolution

Young and boisterous, with another six months it will drink well, drink 2009 - 2012

Ideal with

Barbecued leg of lamb with anchovies and garlic

An all-around winner with grace, elegance and plenty of rich fruit too!

Grape Variety

Pinot Noir

Aroma

Black cherry aromas without jammy excess

Taste

Smooth raspberry with black cherry and lively acidity

Serve

16° C

Evolution

It will age, but will probably be at its best within a year, drink 2009-2010

Ideal with

Pan-fried venison sausage, mashed potato and red wine gravy Domaine Peirière Cellars

SOUTHERN FRANCE PAUL SAPIN SA

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

23

COUPON PROGRAMS

WINE PROGRAMS

Refer a new member, and upon joining, the new member will receive a Free Case Coupon and you will receive a Referral Case Coupon.

OPIMIAN SELECT

WWW.OPIM.CA or 800-361-9421 NEW MEMBERS With your valid Free Case Coupon, choose one of the 6 bottle cases listed below, with the order of any other case on the same Cellar Offering (excluding Opimian Select and Founders’ Choice).

REFERRING MEMBERS With your valid Referral Case Coupon, choose one of the 6 bottle cases listed below, with the order of any other case on the same Cellar Offering (excluding Opimian Select and Founders’ Choice) OR Redeem your valid Referral Case Coupon for a Wine Credit (based on tenure) and apply against a case of your choice, with the order of any other case on the same Cellar Offering (excluding Opimian Select and Founders’ Choice).

5129 LES OMBRAGES, VIN DE PAYS DES CÔTES DE GASCOGNE BLANC, 2008

FOUNDERS’ CHOICE

Receive one premium wine (6 bottles) from Opimian’s most trusted suppliers.

6 BTLS/750 ML

Every Founders’ Choice selection features a dedicated back label and we provide a detailed description of each wine region, terroir, winemaking style, grape type, and food match.

Packaged in cases of 6, this is the same wine as lot 5131, available only with the coupon as explained above.

5130 LES OMBRAGES, VIN DE PAYS DU VAUCLUSE, 2008 Coupon

Receive a mixed case (6 bottles) from a region’s most representative wines from every offering. This is a great way to sample the many styles, grape varietals, and terroir from the world’s best wine-producing regions.

A Collection of Premium Wines

YOUR FREE CASE CHOICES FOR THIS CELLAR OFFERING Coupon

A Selection of our Wines

The Founders’ Choice feature supplier is Danielle & Pascal Gibault.

6 BTLS/750 ML

Packaged in cases of 6, this is the same wine as lot 5132, available only with the coupon as explained above.

These wines are not available on the Cellar Offering and can only be ordered through reserving on these programs.

For an application, please visit our website, www.opim.ca, “Downloads” section OR call us at 800-361-9421.

opim.ca CONDITIONS OF PURCHASE FOR CELLAR OFFERING 189

• Bottle prices are for reference only. All orders are by the case, with no minimum nor maximum required.

• 4 ways to order: Online: www.opim.ca Email at: opim@opim.ca Phone: 800-361-9421 Fax: 514-481-9699

• Last day to order for this Cellar Offering: June 1, 2009

• A valid 2009 membership card is required to order and pick up.

• Expected arrivals at Canadian Port: End of September, 2009. Arrival dates at liquor boards depend on their distances from port of entry.

• Methods of Payment: Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or by cheque made out to Opimian in Trust.

• Release dates: Dependent upon actual arrival dates, and processing time required by each liquor board.

• Your order status: Updated weekly at www.opim.ca.

SYMBOLS

Members’ Choice

White

Drink this year

Red

Enjoyable now; will develop 6 months-2 years

This symbol denotes wines most ordered

by Opimian members. These are consistently popular with our membership at large.

To help novice members, this symbol is a guide to wines that are suitable for starting a cellar, and/or for drinking within two years of delivery.

Wine meant for laying down

Sparkling

Heavy oak

C182 Select Cases (2008 Season)

Opimian Suggests

Rosé

Great concentration

Medal Winner

Medium concentration

Light in body

Medium oak

Light oak

Less than 100 cs available

Extremely limited quantities

Very limited quantities

Limited quantities

Degrees of Maturity (M) (Scale of 1-10) 1 = lay down 10 = fully mature Degrees of Drinkability (D) (Scale of 1-10) 1 = needs time 10 = ready to drink Prices include all applicable federal and provincial mark ups and taxes, including G.S.T & H.S.T #R 105 233 217 • Q.S.T #1000640430

Sweetness scale

gms/litre

00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

0-3 4-6 7 - 12 13 - 20 21 - 34 35 - 50 51 - 74 75 - 100 101 - 139 140 - 179 180 >

Examples Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, many reds Some New World Varietals, some reds Champagne, Sparklers, Rosés, few reds Mosel, some Alsace, Anjou Semi-sweet Bordeaux, some sherry Kabinett German, Late Harvest, Alsace, dry White Port Spätlese German, Sweet Loire, Port, Dessert Muscat Auslese, Beerenauslese Ice Wines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port Ice Wines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port Speciality sweet wines, Trockenbeerenauslese

#420 - 5165 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, QC, H4A 1T6 T: 514-483-5551 or 800-361-9421 F: 514-481-9699 opim@opim.ca www.opim.ca