cellar
AB
279 Order between August 18 and
September 21, 2020
CALIFORNIA, OREGON AND SPAIN
Ordering Made Easy Legend Grape variety Red - White - Rosé Sparkling - Port Bottle size
Number of bottles in case
Aroma
Taste
Serving temperature
Ideal with Evolution Drink this year Will develop, drink within 2 years Meant for cellaring Concentration Light - Medium - Great Oak Light - Medium - Heavy Organic*
Vegetarian** Limited quantities Limited Very limited Extremely limited Less than 100 cases available Members’ Choice 2019 favourite
1. SELECT YOUR WINES Let yourself be inspired by our detailed descriptions to find out which wines best suit your palate. Our custom chart on the left also features a variety of user-friendly symbols that can guide your selection. Still unsure what to order? Opimian’s Member Service team is always available to help you make an informed choice. Call us at 1-800-361-9421 or e-mail MemberService@Opimian.ca. 2. PLACE YOUR ORDER Last day to order for this Cellar Offering is Monday, September 21, 2020. No orders will be processed after this time. There are four ways to order: • Online: Go to Opimian.ca, sign in and select Order Wine. • Email MemberService@Opimian.ca with your selection. • Call 1-800-361-9421, Monday-Friday, 10am - 5pm ET. • Mail your order by September 10, 2020. Please allow 10 days for delivery by Canada Post. 3. LET US HANDLE THE REST The wines featured on this Cellar Offering are still at the producers’ wineries when you order them, so it is normal that the process takes a bit of time and effort on our side. Release dates are dependent upon actual arrival dates, distance from port of entry to liquor board and processing time required by each liquor board. For this Cellar Offering, the expected release date is February 2021. Once the wine arrives at your local liquor store or distribution centre, you will receive a Pick-up Notice with the specified date (the Release Date) and your pick-up location.
Conditions of Purchase • Accepted payment methods: Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or cheque payable to Opimian. • Prices include all applicable federal and provincial markups and taxes. • A valid membership card is required to order. • Bottle prices are for reference only. All orders are by the case, with no minimum required. Notes, as required by the law in the Province of Alberta • All purchase transactions are completed pursuant to the laws in the Province of Alberta and are between you as the customer and Rocky Mountain Wine, Spirits & Beer (“Rocky Mountain”), an independent third party of Opimian Society (“Opimian”). All charges will appear on your credit card statement as Rocky Mountain. • You hereby acknowledge and agree that your dealings with Rocky Mountain which are not related to an Opimian purchase, including payment and all other terms, conditions, representations and warranties related to such transaction, whether implied by law or by expressed agreement between you and Rocky Mountain, are solely between you and Rocky Mountain and not Opimian. You hereby acknowledge that Opimian is not responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of, or in connection with, or a resulting transaction, and you hereby release and waive any claims you may have against Opimian in connection thereof.
*This information is provided by our suppliers and reflects the certifications of their own countries which do not necessarily match Canadian norms.
Sweetness scale Opimian Suggests Starting a cellar Medal Winner Discovery 2019 Discovery Program Case - C270 Select Plus 2019 Select Plus Program Case - C270 M—Degree of Maturity (1-10) M1 = lay down M10 = fully mature
22
D—Degree of Drinkability (1-10) D1 = needs time D10 = ready to drink
OPIMIAN WINE CLUB DE VIN —
300 - 2170 RENÉ-LÉVESQUE WEST MONTREAL QC H3H 2T8
Grams/litre
**This information is provided by our producers and may not reflect Canadian norms.
Examples
[00]
0-3
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, many reds
[01]
4-6
Some New World varietals, some reds
[02]
7 - 12
[03]
13 - 20
Champagne, Sparkling, Rosés, few reds Mosel, some Alsace, Anjou
[04]
21 - 34
Semi-sweet Bordeaux, some sherry
[05]
35 - 50
Kabinett German, Late Harvest, Alsace
[06]
51 - 74
Spätlese German, Sweet Loire, Port, Dessert Muscat
[07]
75 - 100
Auslese, Beerenauslese
[08]
101 - 139
Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port
[09]
140 - 179
Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port
[10]
180 >
Speciality sweet wines, Trockenbeerenauslese
California
Cellar 279
California, Oregon and Spain Focusing on Spain and the U.S., this cellar offering showcases a wide spectrum of wines from the most renowned regions in both countries. A range of styles and grape varieties are to be enjoyed, including good value wines for everyday drinking to some very special wines for those more festive occasions.
JANE MASTERS MW, OPIMIAN’S MASTER OF WINE Every wine offered by Opimian is tasted and selected for its deliciousness and value by our consultant Master of Wine, Jane Masters MW. Jane also chooses the mixed cases for Opimian’s Discovery and Select Plus subscription programs for members to discover wines in an easy way, as well as wines for the premium Founders’ Choice program. As one of 394 Masters of Wine worldwide, Jane has in-depth knowledge and her aim is to share her love of wine with members via the Cellar Offering. She was elected Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine 2016-2018.
cover — A glass of Chardonnay meets a glass of “The Tillerman”
Red Blend as Paige and Nicole enjoy great wine in California’s Russian River Valley at Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery.
FEATURED Mountain View Vintners -----------------4 Kautz Family Vineyards---------------- 12 Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery--- 16 Blue Rock Vineyard-------------------- 20 Chateau Diana------------------------ 22 Holloran Vineyard Wines--------------- 24 Familia Bastida----------------------- 28 Vinoselección------------------------- 32 Ferrer Family Wines------------------- 36
— CELLAR 279 ALBERTA
3
4
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — A wine tasting at Mountain View with a convivial group of wine tasters.
CALIFORNIA Larkspur
Mountain View Vintners
Since Angelo Pera and his family took over at Mountain View wines in Morgan Hill, the company has seen a renewed vigour. Angelo’s focussed approach to growing and sourcing high quality grapes from Monterey, Amador, Napa, Sonoma and the Central Coast by building partnerships with growers has led to a wider portfolio of high-quality wines.
PRODUCER FOR THIS CELLAR
NEW LOWER PRICE
2022
NEW LOWER PRICE
OPIMIAN CALIFORNIA WHITE
2023 Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer $ 11.00
$ 132.00
OPIMIAN CALIFORNIA RED Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah, Merlot $ 11.00
$ 132.00
Opimian California White is a special blend made specifically for Members. It’s light and refreshing with flavours of fresh peaches and pears; made from Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer.
A spicy wine with cooked red fruit flavours, strawberries and coffee made from California’s main grapes Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon blended with some Petite Syrah and Merlot. Woody notes show through – with half the wine aged in American oak. Perfect for everyday drinking.
2020-2021, M8 D9
2020-2022, M8 D9
Pears, lemon
6°C
Strawberry jam, cooked fruits, oak
Peach, [00]
Cherry, coffee
Risotto with fresh peas and lemon
Lamb cassoulet
18°C
— CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN VIEW VINTNERS
5
2024
RIVERVIEW VINEYARDS RED WINE, CALIFORNIA, 2018 Zinfandel, Merlot, Ruby Cabernet $ 156.00
$ 13.00
A soft, smooth red with spices, vanilla and fresh red fruits. Riverview Red has good mid-palate weight with succulent fruits and mellow flavours. 2020-2022, M8 D9 Vanilla, fresh red fruits, spice
18°C
2026
RIVERVIEW VINEYARDS ZINFANDEL, CALIFORNIA, 2017 Zinfandel $ 16.00
$ 192.00
Seemingly lighter in structure on the palate than Riverview Merlot despite being just over 14% alcohol, Riverview Zinfandel exudes fresh blueberries and floral aromas. It has a tangy balsamic acidity with sour cherries and redcurrant flavours lingering on the tongue. Matured for 12 months in French oak barrels.
Succulent berries
2020-2022, M8 D9
Tomato, speck, Gruyère sandwiches
Floral, blueberries Balsamic, redcurrants
2025
RIVERVIEW VINEYARDS MERLOT, CALIFORNIA, 2018 Merlot $ 16.00
$ 192.00
Aromas of strawberries are followed by floral violets and herbal notes. Riverview Merlot has a nice savoury character from six months spent in French oak barrels which combines perfectly with black cherry flavours. It’s supple with a juicy acidity and harmonious balance. Merlot was grown in one of Mountain View’s vineyards located just 24 miles from the Pacific Ocean. 2020-2022, M8 D9 Strawberries, violet, herbs Black cherries Pâtés and charcuterie
6
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
18°C
Braised lamb shank with fennel
18°C
Don’t miss our Q&A with Mountain View’s Angelo Pera in Vino Etcetera.
2027
RIVERVIEW VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY, CALIFORNIA, 2019 Chardonnay $ 16.00
2028
BUTTERFLY RIDGE CHARDONNAY, MONTEREY COUNTY, 2019 Chardonnay
$ 192.00
Riverview is an unoaked Chardonnay with tropical fruit aromas, yellow nectarines, pineapple and tinned mandarins. It’s medium bodied with a creamy pineapple yogurt finish.
$ 17.00
Tinned fruit cocktail, peaches in syrup and a hint of orange blossom are complemented by a malted biscuit character producing an interesting and appealing nose. This is a soft, easy drinking wine with sweet fruits and a touch of vanilla. Grapes were farmed from Mountain View’s 40-acre vineyard in Monterey, planted in 1982. It spent three months in French oak barrels.
2020-2021, M8 D9 Nectarines, tinned mandarin
photo — Angelo Pera’s daughters, Christina and Olivia, pour wines for a charity event at the vineyard.
6°C
$ 204.00
2020-2021, M8 D9 Tinned fruit cocktail, orange blossom, malted biscuit
6°C
Pineapple yogurt, [00]
Sweet fruits, vanilla, [00]
Dungeness crab cakes with pineapplecucumber salsa
Grilled shrimp skewers with mango
— CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN VIEW VINTNERS
7
2029
BUTTERFLY RIDGE PINOT GRIGIO, CALIFORNIA, 2019 Pinot Grigio $ 17.00
$ 204.00
NEW
2030
BUTTERFLY RIDGE SAUVIGNON BLANC, CALIFORNIA, 2019 Sauvignon Blanc $ 17.00
An easy drinking Californian Pinot Grigio which is always popular with Opimian Members. It has melon, stone fruits and fresh apple flavours and is smooth with refreshing acidity and a citrus finish. Pinot Grigio grapes were grown in the La Slough Vineyard in the Clarksburg Delta.
8
6°C
BUTTERFLY RIDGE ZINFANDEL ROSÉ, CALIFORNIA, 2019 Zinfandel, Pinot Noir
$ 204.00
$ 13.00
$ 156.00
Wow! I wrote in my tasting notes: one of the best California Sauvignon Blancs for the price – ever! This based on its intensity, combination of flavours and sheer drinkability. Aromas of grapefruits, blackcurrants and elderflowers lead to a smooth finish.
An off-dry rosé with appealing flavours of watermelon and cranberries. It’s smooth with a low-ish alcohol at 10% and delicate acidity. Zinfandel was combined with 36% Pinot Noir to produce a lighter, drier style.
2020-2021, M8 D9
2020-2021, M8 D9
2020-2021, M8 D9 Melon, stone fruits
2031
Grapefruit, blackcurrant, elderflower
6°C
Watermelon
6°C
Fresh apple, [00]
Peaches, [00]
Cranberry, watermelon, [00]
Spinach and cheese ravioli
Vegetable terrine
Bruschetta with presunto, ricotta and arugula
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — Butterfly Ridge wines are all made from very small vineyards. Tiny details can be easily managed, such as surrounding ground cover and watering.
2032
BUTTERFLY RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CENTRAL COAST, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon $ 22.00
$ 132.00
2020-2023, M8 D9 Violets, blueberries
18°C
The first vintage of Butterfly Ridge Cabernet was produced in 1994, so 2019 celebrates the 25th anniversary of this wine – and does it with a great vintage. Perfumed with intense floral aromas, violets and sweet blueberries, Butterfly Ridge Cabernet is flavoursome while being a light- to mediumbodied wine. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were grown in a vineyard in northern Paso Robles – a region famed for its Cabernet. It was matured for six months in oak barrels and finishes with flavours of black cherry yogurt and redcurrants.
Mountain View Vintners is committed to the pursuit of ecologically sound practices.
Black cherry yogurt, redcurrants Pan-seared duck breast with redcurrant gastrique
2033
BUTTERFLY RIDGE MERLOT, CENTRAL COAST, 2019 Merlot $ 17.00
$ 204.00
Butterfly Ridge Merlot has earthy, smoky graphite aromas combined with a soft, smooth palate. Red cherry flavours, a juicy acidity and supple tannins all combine to make it extremely drinkable and very moreish. The vineyard lies on the east side of Santa Maria in California’s Central Coast. 2020-2023, M8 D9 Smoky fruits, graphite
18°C
Red cherries A snack of walnut-stuffed prunes
— CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN VIEW VINTNERS
9
2034
BUTTERFLY RIDGE PINOT NOIR, CENTRAL COAST, 2019 Pinot Noir $ 23.00
DUXINARO CHARDONNAY, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, 2018 Chardonnay
$ 138.00
Redcurrants, cranberries, red cherry and other crunchy red fruits all come together with the slightest kiss of oak in Butterfly Ridge Pinot Noir: it’s soft and elegant in structure. Grown in the Santa Maria vineyard, the Pinot Noir grapes enjoy warm, sunny summer afternoons tempered by cool, foggy evenings and early mornings. 2020-2023, M8 D9 Redcurrants
2035
18°C
$ 25.00
$ 150.00
A premium oaked Chardonnay, Duxinaro 2018 has roasted pineapple and toasty aromas with more lime and peaches on the palate. It’s a dry wine with layers of flavours and is satisfyingly tasty with great persistence in the mouth. Planted in 1998, Chardonnay was grown in a prime vineyard in the cool climate of the Russian River Valley. The 2018 was matured for 12 months in French oak barrels creating a wine with depth and complexity. Duxinaro wines are produced from small three- to seven-acre single vineyards in top regions. This has required Angelo and his team to re-think and invest in ways to handle small production efficiently; hence, the name – a play on the phrase “ducks in a row” – and the great label.
2020-2023, M8 D9 Roasted pineapple, peaches, toast
6°C
Lime marmalade, vanilla, [00] West coast oysters on the half shell with grilled pineapple mignonette
Cranberry, red cherries Veal Marsala
The Duxinaro wines are top notch and Angelo loves creating these high-end wines.
10
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — Angelo Pera, the winemaker, in his tasting room in Larkspur.
NEW
2037
NEW
2036
DUXINARO PINOT NOIR, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, 2017
Cabernet Sauvignon $ 186.00
$ 31.00
Pinot Noir $ 31.00
DUXINARO CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY, 2015
$ 186.00
Woody aromas combine with floral and black cherry notes to give lots of appeal. Duxinaro Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied wine with ripe dark fruit and liquorice flavours. It was aged for eight months in French oak barrels, and while it’s quite marked by the wood on the nose, it’s perfectly round and smooth with no edges at all.
A wine with bundles of charm and immediate appeal. It’s complex but that doesn’t mean it needs contemplation to enjoy it. This Cabernet Sauvignon has a sweet mellow bouquet with lots of fruits and vanilla. Its layers of flavours unfurl willingly in the glass with juicy dark fruits and toasty flavours, justifying the reputation that Napa enjoys for top-quality Cabernet Sauvignon. In this instance, grapes were grown on Mountain View’s small Encore Vineyard in Rutherford. Hugely pleasurable already, it should remain at its peak for some years to come. Produced from the small but high-quality 2015 vintage, it was matured in French oak barrels for 36 months.
2020-2024, M8 D9 Woody fruits
18°C
2020-2026, M7 D9 Mellow dark fruits and vanilla
18°C
Plumskins, black cherries, liquorice
Juicy blackcurrants, blackberries, toasty spice
Beef tacos with avocado slaw and chipotle crema
Beef tagine with dates
photo — California’s Central Coast covers the long stretch of coastline from San Francisco Bay south to Santa Barbara.
— CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN VIEW VINTNERS
11
12
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
CALIFORNIA
Sierra Foothills
Kautz Family Vineyards The Kautz family are synonymous with Lodi and the Sierra Foothills in northern California. Grape growing in the region dates to the 1850s and the Gold Rush with the Kautz family settling in Lodi in 1926. Throughout Prohibition, grape farmers in the region continued to cultivate vines on the basis of making wines for “home consumption.” Many other regions saw vines ripped out and replaced with fruit trees. It is these same – now very old – Zinfandel vines that have built Lodi’s reputation.
photo — Harvested Old Vine Zinfandel (Maddie Lane) at Kautz Family Vineyards.
— CALIFORNIA KAUTZ FAMILY VINEYARDS
13
2039
STONE VALLEY CHARDONNAY, CALIFORNIA, 2019 Chardonnay, Viognier $ 14.00
$ 168.00
The 2019 Stone Valley Chardonnay has intense guava and passionfruit aromas. It’s smooth and medium bodied with lots of tropical fruit flavour. A splash of Viognier was added. Stone Valley wines, produced by the Kautz family, are named after California’s well-drained gravelly soils suited to viticulture and grape production.
2040
STONE VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CALIFORNIA, 2019
2041
STONE VALLEY RED BLEND, CALIFORNIA, 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon $ 14.00
$ 168.00
A lighter-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon with floral lavender aromas and herbal notes of tarragon with some mint. It has grip on the palate with berry flavours and a touch of grass. Grape lots were sourced from selected vineyards around Lodi in Sloughhouse, Clements Hills and Mokelumne River. 2020-2021, M8 D9 Guava, passionfruit
14
6°C
Zinfanfel, Merlot, Petite Sirah $ 14.00
$ 168.00
This typical California blend is based on Zinfandel combined with Merlot and Petite Sirah. It has aromas of red berries and sweet jellybeans combined with vanilla toast. Soft and supple, it has a bitter cherry twist on the finish.
2020-2022, M8 D9 Floral, lavender
18°C
2020-2022, M8 D9 Red berries, jellybeans
18°C
Tropical fruit salad, [00]
Sour black fruits, fresh tarragon
Red fruits, vanilla, bitter cherry
Pan-seared salmon with melon salsa
Camembert cheese
Confit duck with cherry hoisin sauce
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — The winemakers, from left to right: Liza Yurovich, David Crippen, Natale Gagliardo and Han Han.
2042
MADDIE LANE VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY, LODI, 2019 Chardonnay $ 21.00
MADDIE LANE VINEYARDS OLD VINE ZINFANDEL, LODI, 2018 Zinfandel
$ 126.00
A smooth, oaky Chardonnay with lots of toasty notes. It has spicy aromas with caramelized pineapple fruits and grilled almond flavours. Named after Gail and John Kautz’s granddaughter Maddie, who represents the fourth generation, the grapes were selected from the Mokelumne River sub-region in Lodi. 2020-2022, M8 D9 Roasted pineapple, toast
2043
6°C
$ 25.00
$ 150.00
Lodi and its surrounding vineyards reputedly have some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in California. Gnarled old vines survived the existential threat of Prohibition and have outlived generations of grape growers. The 2018 Maddie Lane is perfumed with blueberries and candy floss with some leather notes. It’s a smooth rich wine which is full bodied with more aromatic raspberry and blueberry flavours shining through on the palate. 2020-2024, M7 D9 Blueberries, candy floss
18°C
Raspberry, blueberries Pineapple yogurt, grilled almonds, [00] Chilled poached salmon with fennel-yogurt sauce
photo — The barrel in the gardens at Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys, California.
Beef goulash with spaetzle and sour cream
— CALIFORNIA KAUTZ FAMILY VINEYARDS
15
16
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — At the De Loach family’s Olivet Ranch Sauvignon Blanc vineyard, a bottle of “The Tillerman” Red Blend with local cheeses and charcuteries.
CALIFORNIA Russian River Valley
Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery
2044
HOOK & LADDER THE TILLERMAN, ESTATE BOTTLED, CHALK HILL, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese $ 38.00
$ 228.00
2020-2028, M6 D8 Mellow dark fruits and woody spice
18°C
Blackberries, blackcurrants, liquorice root Coffee-marinated grilled flank steak
Winemaker Jason De Loach runs Hook & Ladder Winery on the outskirts of Santa Rosa in the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. Sited among old vines on the historic Olivet Road, the winery was established by his grandparents, Cecil and Christine. The Russian River Valley is a cool region in Californian terms, and Jason farms 80 hectares of vineyards to make great quality wines. Before becoming a full-time grape grower, Cecil was a fireman based in San Francisco; the winery and many of the wines are named in recognition of that time. You may recall that 2017 was a year of devastating wildfires which hit Santa Rosa particularly badly and stopped close to the Winery. I visited Hook & Ladder in January 2018 and was impressed by Jason’s resilience in dealing with the situation. Most of the grapes had been harvested before the fire but winemaking had to adapt to electricity outages and a shortage of staff – some of whom had lost their homes. All I can say is … what a result!
Named after Cecil’s “tillerman” position at the back of the hookand-ladder fire truck, The Tillerman 2017 is a deliciously tasty wine with mellow dark fruit aromas, ripe fresh blackcurrants, blackberries, woody spices and liquorice root. Explosive dark fruits on the palate are complemented by a vanilla cream flavour. It’s medium bodied with a grainy texture and lingering finish. Grapes were grown on the family’s Los Amigos Ranch just south of Healdsburg in the Chalk Hill subregion. The 2017 was made from 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc and 24% Merlot with a touch of Sangiovese (1%) and was matured for 18 months in a combination of American and European oak barrels.
— CALIFORNIA HOOK & LADDER VINEYARDS AND WINERY
17
HOOK & LADDER STATION TEN, ESTATE BOTTLED, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, 2017
2045
Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Alicante Bouschet $ 38.00
$ 228.00
The 2017 Station 10 is a succulent wine with sweet ripe fruits, floral notes of lavender and beeswax aromas with some fresh mint aromas in the background. It is full bodied with flavours of blueberries and black cherry coulis with vanilla. Smooth and supple on the palate with a grainy texture, it has some grip on the finish. Zinfandel from 100-year-old vines planted pre-Prohibition forms the basis of the blend with Petite Sirah, Carignane, Cabernet Sauvignon and just a dash of Alicante Bouschet. 2020-2025, M7 D9 Lavender, beeswax, mint
18°C
2046
HOOK & LADDER PINOT NOIR, ESTATE BOTTLED, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, 2018 Pinot Noir $ 46.00
$ 276.00
A Pinot with intense aromas of strawberries, rose petals and toast. Medium bodied with succulent sweet red fruit flavours midpalate, it’s a rich, round Russian River Valley Pinot with a delightful firm and savoury finish adding depth. It’s more concentrated and powerful in style than an Oregon Pinot. Cecil de Loach planted the source Pinot Noir vineyard in 1973, just off Olivet Road on gentle rolling hills west of Santa Rosa. A coastal fog funnels up from the ocean and blankets the vines through mid-morning during the summer months. Its cooling effect slows down the ripening process allowing the grapes to develop lots of flavours. 2020-2026, M7 D9 Strawberries, hint rose petal, toast Red fruits, savoury finish
Blueberries, black cherry, vanilla Grilled venison tenderloin with blackberry sauce
18
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
Crabmeat-stuffed mushrooms
18°C
2048
HOOK & LADDER CHARDONNAY, ESTATE BOTTLED, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, 2019 Chardonnay $ 38.00
$ 228.00
A refined wine with subtle aromas of pink grapefruit, ripe apple, lemon curd and fresh cut grass. It’s soft and smooth with more flavours of grapefruit combined with peaches leading to a mineral finish with lime and citrus pith character. Fermented in French oak barrels, it has a touch of vanilla and was matured on lees for six months.
2047
HOOK & LADDER CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ESTATE BOTTLED, CHALK HILL, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon $ 46.00
$ 276.00
2020-2028, M6 D8 Mellow black fruits and vanilla cream
18°C
Ripe blackberries, blueberries, cola “Flintstones” ribeye with a red wine gastrique
photo — A noted family winery and family environment,
Hook & Ladder Winery VP of Sales Devin Ruddick gets a visit from his family’s newest member
A dreamy mellow wine with black cherries and vanilla cream, ripe blackberries, blueberries and cola aromas. Fine in texture with fresh fruit and cream flavours enhanced by a nice juicy acidity, it’s smooth with a long bitter chocolate and black cherry finish. Coming from a single vineyard, the grapes were grown in the warmer Chalk Hill subregion in the northeast of the Russian River Valley on the family’s Los Amigos Ranch. Just 224 cases were produced. Matured for 20 months in American and European oak with 30% new, the oak is seamlessly integrated with the fruit rather than overt.
2020-2023, M7 D9 Pink grapefruit, lemon curd, fresh meadows
6°C
Peach, lime citrus, [00] Lobster risotto with lemon Mascarpone
— CALIFORNIA HOOK & LADDER VINEYARDS AND WINERY
19
20
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — The Blue Rock winery is surrounded by oldvine Cabernet Sauvignon, Beaucastel Syrah clone and olive trees clones from Italy’s Fattoria Bernardini.
CALIFORNIA Alexander Valley
Blue Rock Vineyard
2049
Blue Rock Vineyard is named after the big boulders and pebbles of blue serpentine that are scattered in the ground. Who knows what specific characters they bring to the wines, but they are certainly beautiful. Kenny Kahn and his wife Cheryl were themselves captivated by the location, its beauty and its history: they’ve spent the last few decades renovating the property and tending its wines. The original stone house, dating to 1880, was a winery until Prohibition when it closed. The land was first settled by Italian immigrants who brought with them their ways and know-how, planting olive trees and vines and making the most of the Mediterranean climate. Kenny firmly believes that “the better we keep the earth, the better wines we can produce” – farming, therefore, with a view to preserve land and nature.
BABY BLUE ESTATE RED BLEND, BLUE ROCK VINEYARD, ALEXANDER VALLEY, SONOMA, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc $ 45.00
$ 270.00
Oaky aromas of cloves and vanilla are laid over a mulberry fruit background. Baby Blue 2018 is medium bodied with toasted almonds and cherry fruit flavours. It’s elegant and fine in texture with lingering flavours. Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone of Baby Blue blended with five other varieties grown on the estate.
2050
BLUE ROCK ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ALEXANDER VALLEY, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc $ 64.00
$ 384.00
Immediately appealing aromas of vanilla, pâtisserie, blackberries and strudel lead to a flavoursome palate. The 2017 is youthful, refined in character and elegant with scrumptious blueberry and blackberry flavours. Delicious now, it has plenty of years ahead. It was matured in French oak barrels for 24 months using 37% new oak bringing mellow vanilla notes. The best barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon were blended with Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc harvested from the best block on the estate in Alexander Valley.
2021-2026, M7 D8 Cloves, vanilla, mulberries
18°C
2020-2030, M7 D8 Pâtisserie, strudel, blackberries, vanilla
Toast, cherries
Blueberries, blackberries
Beef carpaccio with sun-dried tomatoes and arugula
Cabernet-braised beef cheeks
18°C
— CALIFORNIA BLUE ROCK VINEYARD
21
22
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — The Chateau Diana tasting room, in Dry Creek Valley, features a daily selection of wines as well as the exclusive 707 wines.
CALIFORNIA Healdsburg Dry Creek Valley
Chateau Diana is a family-owned winery in Dry Creek Valley, northeast of Healdsburg. Established by Tom and Diane Manning 30 years ago, it remains a family affair producing a range of wines in Dry Creek.
Chateau Diana
NEW
2052
NEW
2051
707 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, SONOMA COUNTY, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot $ 26.00
$ 156.00
A concentrated spicy wine, dense in texture with black fruits, sour cherry and a hint of smoke. Medium to full bodied, it will benefit from some cellaring before reaching its optimum for drinking. Cabernet Sauvignon was blended with 15% Merlot.
707 PINOT NOIR, SONOMA COUNTY, 2018 Pinot Noir $ 26.00
$ 156.00
Rose petal and redcurrant aromas are complemented by vanilla overtones. 707 Pinot Noir is medium bodied with nice midpalate weight and a long, savoury finish with earthy Portobello mushroom flavours.
2020-2025, M7 D8 Black fruits, smoke
18°C
2020-2024, M7 D9 Redcurrants, roses, vanilla
18°C
Cherries, floral, spicy
Savoury, cranberry fruits
Grilled skirt steak with salsa verde
Portobello burger with Gouda
— CALIFORNIA CHATEAU DIANA
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24
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — Holloran’s ANA vineyard in Dundee Hills was planted in 1974 to Pinot Noir Dijon clone 777.
OREGON Willamette Valley
Holloran Vineyard Wines
Oregon wines have made their reputation on Pinot Noir. The region’s cool climate conditions are inevitably compared with Burgundy. Summers are long, warm and dry, with cool evenings which preserve acidity and allow for flavour development. Eve and Bill Holloran moved to Portland and purchased their first vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills in Willamette Valley, in 1999.
2053
HOLLORAN PINOT NOIR, WILLAMETTE VALLEY, 2016 Pinot Noir $ 37.00
$ 222.00
2016 is a subtle wine with herbal red fruits, strawberry leaves and smoky aromas. It’s on the lighter side of medium bodied with mellow flavours of fruits and nutmeg spices. This was produced from selected barrels from different blocks, including some of Holloran’s oldest vineyards. An early start to the growing season followed by warmer than average temperatures resulted in a very early harvest in 2016. Grapes were harvested by hand, fermented in small lots with twice daily plunging of the skins by hand. It was matured for 18 months in French oak barrels. 2020-2024, M8 D9 Herbs, strawberry leaf, red fruits
18°C
Smoky, spicy nutmeg, red fruits Grilled swordfish grilled corn and tomato salsa
— OREGON HOLLORAN VINEYARD WINES
25
MIXED CASE 2054
HOLLORAN SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR CASE $ 42.00
$ 252.00
Bill and Eve Holloran own and farm several vineyard sites in different parts of Willamette Valley. Each plot is farmed sustainably using organic and biodynamic principles with wines hand crafted in small lots by winemaker Mark La Gasse. The vineyard plots vary in age with the oldest planted in the early 1970s, have different mixes of Pinot Noir clones, soils, elevation and aspect which are expressed in each of the wines produced.
Two bottles each Dundee Hills, Le Pavillon & La Chenaie
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CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — Bill Holloran in Le Pavillon Vineyard, planted in 1972.
NEW
NEW
HOLLORAN PINOT NOIR, DUNDEE HILLS, 2015
Pinot Noir
HOLLORAN PINOT NOIR, LE PAVILLON VINEYARD, DUNDEE HILLS, 2015 Pinot Noir
The first grapes of the Willamette Valley were planted in the Dundee Hills approximately 30 miles southwest of Portland and 30 miles east of the Pacific. Dundee Hills are protected from the ocean climate by the Coast Range and soils are mainly basaltic. Grapes for this wine came from three sites: Le Pavillon and Ana, which are sited close to one another and were both planted in the 1970s, and the more recent La Colina further south planted in 1999. The 2015 has cherries and marzipan aromas with a very smooth palate and more red fruits.
18°C
Pinot Noir
Le Pavillon vineyard in Dundee Hills has a bowl-shaped topography facing mainly south with southeast and southwest exposure. It is small with six acres of Pinot Noir planted between 1972-74 using four different clones, some on own roots and some grafted. The most structured of the three wines in this mixed case, it displays restrained aromas of redcurrants and strawberry leaf, with a hint of violet and oak. It is medium bodied with red fruit and savoury flavours. It has supple tannins yet is quite firm overall, finishing with lingering cherry menthol flavours.
2020-2025, M7 D9 Cherries, marzipan
HOLLORAN PINOT NOIR, LA CHENAIE VINEYARD, EOLA-AMITY HILLS, 2015
La Chenaie Vineyard is located in the EolaAmity Hills sub-region which is cooler due to a break in the Coast Range allowing a greater influence from the Pacific Ocean. Afternoon winds through the summer have a cooling effect and cause grapes to generally ripen two weeks later than in the Dundee Hills, despite its more southern location. At least six different clones of Pinot Noir are planted on rootstocks. 2015 La Chenaie has aromas of peonies, red cherries and menthol. It is a smooth medium-bodied wine with concentrated red and cooked fruit flavours.
2020-2026, M7 D9 Redcurrants, strawberry leaf, violets
18°C
2020-2025, M8 D9 Peonies, red cherries, menthol
18°C
Red fruits, berries
Savoury oaky notes, red fruit
Concentrated cooked red fruits
Grilled pork tenderloin with rhubarb compote
Figs, dried fruit and hazelnuts
Polenta with wild mushroom ragout
photo — Hollaran’s Le Pavillon vineyard in autumn.
— OREGON HOLLORAN VINEYARD WINES
27
28
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
SPAIN
Murcia
Familia Bastida The Bastida family have been winemakers in Spain for over 150 years. They specialize in making wines from small plots of old vines in different regions around Spain, with a particular focus on the southeast around Jumilla and Utiel-Requena.
photo — This vineyard is located at 700 meters in altitude and is planted in dry soil.
— SPAIN FAMILIA BASTIDA
29
RIO LILO SAUVIGNON BLANCAIREN, DOP JUMILLA, 2019
2055
Sauvignon Blanc, Airen $ 14.00
$ 84.00
Fresh mango, elderflower and blackcurrant aromas are intense and flavoursome on the palate. A distinctive dry white with a crisp finish from the southeast of Spain. 2020-2021, M8 D9 Blackcurrant gums, elderflower
6°C
Mango, [01] Thai-Viet turkey lettuce cups
2056
GENIO ESPAÑOL, ORGANIC, DOP JUMILLA, 2019 Monastrell $ 15.00
$ 90.00
Red cherries, pomegranate and other red fruit aromas produce a wine with character. Quite light bodied, it has a grippy sour red fruit finish. 100% Monastrell selected from the Bastida family’s oldest plots was grown organically under the sunny climate in Murcia. 2020-2022, M8 D9 Red cherries, pomegranate
16°C
Sour red fruits Sautéed sausages, peppers, onions
30
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — The barrel room with cofines, formerly used to press or dry grapes, are now used as decoration.
2057
BIFTU BOBAL, DOP UTIELREQUENA, 2018 Bobal $ 18.00
$ 108.00
2020-2022, M8 D9 Tarragon, cardamom
16°C
Produced from Bobal grapes, Biftu has fresh green herbal aromas of tarragon and grass with a hint of cardamom. It is medium to full bodied with more savoury flavours, black liquorice and some vanilla on the palate. Bobal is indigenous to the UtielRequena region and has good drought resistance. In this case, it was grown on 55-year-old bush vines pruned in the traditional manner. The wine was matured for a short time in French and Hungarian oak barrels.
Black liquorice, vanilla Grilled pork chops with herb-fennel butter
The Bastida family have produced wine for over 150 years and 3 generations. Taste their know-how!
2058
VUELA, DO RIBERA DEL DUERO, 2018 Tempranillo $ 126.00
$ 21.00
A full-bodied wine with dark blackberry fruits and coffee flavours. It has a juicy fruit acidity and nice mid-palate leading to quite a firm chewy finish and should mature nicely with time. Tempranillo from the oldest vineyards in La Aguilera region – known for its old vines – were the source of grapes. It was matured for nine months in American oak barrels. 2021-2026, M6 D7 Coffee, dark fruit
18°C
Blackberries, juicy fruits Beef stew with sherry
photo — “Biftu”, meaning sunrise in Ethiopian, honours one of the Bastida family members, who was adopted from the country.
— SPAIN FAMILIA BASTIDA
31
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CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
SPAIN
Vinoselección Vinoseleccion, based in Barcelona, has a network of producers in key regions around Spain. Following are selected gems from the portfolio.
PRODUCER FOR THIS CELLAR
photo — The grapes that are not harvested become food for the swallows. They still endure the arrival of winter, although not for long.
— SPAIN VINOSELECCIÓN
33
NEW
2059
VALDELOSFRAILES ROSADO, DO CIGALES, BODEGA VALDELOSFRAILES, 2019
ENATE RESERVA PRIVADA, DO SOMONTANO, BODEGA ENATE, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo
Tempranillo $ 17.00
2060
$ 102.00
Crimson colour with aromas of strawberries, strawberry leaf and savoury character lead to a supple palate. Crushed raspberries and blackcurrants shine through on the palate. Tempranillo grapes from three separate plots in Cigales were slowly fermented at very low temperature. 2020-2021, M8 D9 Crushed strawberries, strawberry leaf
$ 21.00
Lamb burgers with red pepper jam
Tinta Fina (Tempranillo)
$ 126.00
$ 23.00
$ 138.00
A characterful wine coming from the mountain region of Somontano, close to the Pyrénées. The 2016 is showing some nice development of tertiary aromas – dried autumn leaves, with liquorice. On the palate, it’s structured and full bodied with a youthful acidity and a firm finish. Cabernet Sauvignon combined with 20% Tempranillo was matured for 12 months in French oak barrels. 2020-2025, M7 D8
6°C
Raspberries, blackcurrant, [00]
2061
MONASTERIO DE LOS OLIVOS, VENDIMIA SELECCIONADA, VINO DE LA TIERRA DE CASTILLA Y LEÓN, PAGO DE LOS OLIVOS, 2016
Liquorice, dried leaves, undergrowth
18°C
Dark fruits, herbs Black bean and mushroom “burger”
Dark fruits, black cherries, black olives with a touch of smoke are all present on the nose. On the palate, more sweet vanilla flavours with blueberries and blackberries shine through. This is a full-bodied wine, youthful, oaky and with a grippy, grainy texture. Definitely not a shrinking violet of a wine! Grapes came from selected plots planted over 40 years ago at between 750950 metres altitude. Matured for 12 months in French and American oak barrels. 2020-2024, M7 D8 Black cherries, black olive, smoke
18°C
Vanilla, blueberries, blackberries, oak Tapas of sardines, black olives, dried chorizo, patatas bravas and fried calamari
34
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — What is better than a wine and cheese pairing?
2062
VALDRINAL TRADICIÓN CRIANZA, DO RIBERA DEL DUERO, 2016
2063
LUIS ALEGRE FINCA LA REÑANA RESERVA, DOCA. RIOJA, 2015
Tinta Fina (Tempranillo) $ 27.00
$ 162.00
A dense wine with a supple palate and velvety texture, it’s not yet very expressive but shows great promise. Figs, dates and raisins with a touch of savoury grassy notes are in balance. The wine has structure and fine tannins and should open nicely. The Valdrinal Winery farms 25 hectares of vineyards around the town of Aranda de Duero. Grapes were harvested by hand and then sorted on a selection table before undergoing a cold maceration. After fermentation, Valdrinal was matured in French oak.
Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo $ 26.00
$ 156.00
Plummy fruits, raisins and vanilla combine to create a mellow aroma. This is a full-bodied Rioja with a juicy mid-palate with red berry and vanilla flavours and a long spicy finish. Bodega Luis Alegre specializes in producing single vineyard wines with Finca La Reñana, one of the most outstanding plots with a limestone base and fine sand on top. The plot, planted in 1945, is located between Laguardia and Elvillar at 598 meters above sea level and produces wines with great elegance and longevity. Matured in French oak barrels for 16 months, 2015 is a great vintage with lots of cellaring potential.
2020-2026, M7 D8 Fresh grass, dark fruits
18°C
2020-2028, M7 D9 Plums, raisins, vanilla
Raisins, plums
Red berry fruits, vanilla spices
Hunter-style braised rabbit with raisins and brandy
Valencian chicken paella
photo — Somontano is a magical place where you can enjoy nature, wine and gastronomy all at once!
18°C
— SPAIN VINOSELECCIÓN
35
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CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
SPAIN
Ferrer Family Wines The Ferrer family have been an integral part of Spanish wines, and in particular Cava for many years, having established and built The Freixenet Group since the 1860s. After selling the company, Pedro Ferrer now concentrates on his own small wine estates in key regions of Spain. Introduced to Opimian last year, the wines were an immediate hit with members.
PRODUCER FOR THIS CELLAR
photo — Valdubon Tempranillo Roble encompasses delicious, ripe, juicy red fruit flavours with an easy drinking sweet vanilla edge.
— SPAIN FERRER FAMILY WINES
37
Bodegas Solar Viejo
SOLAR VIEJO TEMPRANILLO, DOCA. RIOJA, BODEGAS SOLAR VIEJO, 2019
2065
Bodegas Solar Viejo, in the medieval village of Laguardia amid the foothills of the Sierra Cantabria in Rioja Alavesa, was purchased by the Ferrer family in 2004. Winemaker Vanesa Insausti makes a range of distinctive Rioja wines.
Tempranillo $ 102.00
$ 17.00
A smooth mediumbodied Rioja with fresh dark cherry fruit flavours. It’s supple with a fine texture and great balance made from 100% Tempranillo with no use of oak.
Learn more about the Rioja wine region in Vino Etcetera.
2020-2023, M8 D9 Fresh black cherries
18°C
Dark fruits Pasta Bolognese with pork-beef meatballs
2066
SOLAR VIEJO CRIANZA, DOCA. RIOJA, BODEGAS SOLAR VIEJO, 2017 Tempranillo $ 17.00
$ 102.00
Maturation for 12 months in American and French oak barrels has produced a Crianza with mellow vanilla and pâtisserie aromas combining deliciously with cooked cherry fruits giving immediate appeal. A mediumbodied wine that’s elegant with some grainy tannins and a long vanilla toast finish. 2017 was characterized by a small crop due to an April frost and very low rainfall. 2020-2023, M8 D9 Mellow vanilla, cooked cherries
18°C
Toasty red fruits, vanilla cream Lentil stew
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CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — The Rioja region is tucked away in a stunning part of Northern Spain, sheltered by the imposing Cantabrian mountains
ORUBE CRIANZA, DOCA. RIOJA, BODEGAS SOLAR VIEJO, 2017 Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano
2067 2068
$ 20.00 $ 120.00 $ 40.00 $ 120.00
Orube Crianza 2017 has mellow vanilla oak with cherries, red fruits and tarragon aromas. On the palate, it’s soft and smooth with juicy red berries and sour cherry flavours and a more linear structure leading to a tangy cranberry finish. It is fresh and hasn’t yet reached its peak. Produced from the best Tempranillo lots blended with Garnacha and Graciano, it was matured in French and American oak for 12 months.
NEW
2069
SOLAR VIEJO RESERVA, DOCA. RIOJA, BODEGAS SOLAR VIEJO, 2015
18°C
$ 126.00
Nutmeg, vanilla spices and liquorice complement red fruit aromas creating a wonderful bouquet. On the palate, 2015 Reserva is youthful with juicy red fruits, a touch of redcurrant astringency and a grainy texture – all of which will become mellow and seamless with time. 2015 was officially classified as a very good quality vintage in Rioja by the Consejo Regulador.
2021-2025, M7 D8 Mellow vanilla oak, cherries, tarragon
Viura, Chardonnay, Tempranillo Blanco
Tempranillo, Graciano $ 21.00
2070
ORUBE, BLANCO, FERMENTADO EN BARRICA, DOCA. RIOJA, BODEGAS SOLAR VIEJO, 2018
$ 120.00
$ 20.00
Having fermented and matured 6 months in American and French oak barrels, Orube Blanco exudes aromas of fresh coconut and coconut milk which complement fresh apple flavours producing a spicy, elegant and complex white with layers of flavour. It combines traditional Viura and Tempranillo Blanco grapes and a dollop of Chardonnay – and it works perfectly.
2021-2025, M7 D8 Nutmeg, spices, red fruits
18°C
2020-2022, M8 D9 Fresh coconut, fresh apples
6°C
Red berries, cranberry finish
Liquorice, juicy redcurrants
Spicy, complex layers of flavour, [01]
Casserole with chicken, rice, paprika
Manchego with honey and almonds
Shellfish tempura and dipping sauce
— SPAIN FERRER FAMILY WINES
39
Bodegas Valdubón 2071
VALDUBÓN VERDEJO, DO RUEDA, 2019 Verdejo, Viura $ 16.00
$ 96.00
Rueda produces some of Spain’s best white wines. Spring blossoms, jasmine and honeydew melon aromas and a soft, smooth palate with yet more floral notes and a touch of honey flavour make this a deliciously enjoyable wine. Produced from Verdejo and Viura grapes, with a short maceration on skins followed by fermentation in tank. NEW
2072
VALDUBÓN TEMPRANILLO, DO RIBERA DEL DUERO, 2019 Tinta del País (Tempranillo) $ 17.00
$ 102.00
A perfumed red with delicate rose-petal notes, this unoaked Tempranillo is medium bodied with a grippy finish. Tempranillo was grown in vineyards throughout the Ribera del Duero region, principally around the villages of Roa, Milagros and Pardilla. 2020-2021, M8 D9 Jasmine, honeydew melon
40
6°C
2073
VALDUBÓN ROBLE, DO RIBERA DEL DUERO, 2018 Tinta del País (Tempranillo) $ 19.00
A wine with lots of mellow oaky character. Strudel and vanilla are complemented with cooked raspberries and blackberries with a touch of fresh herbs. The 2018 is supple and medium bodied with intense flavours and lingering black cherry and blackberry.
2020-2022, M8 D9 Floral, rose petal
18°C
$ 114.00
2020-2024, M7 D9 Mellow oak, vanilla, cooked raspberries and blackberries
18°C
Floral, honey, [00]
Red fruits
Black cherry, fresh herbs
Wheat berry and asparagus salad
Herbed cheese manicotti
Barbecued rack of lamb and grilled vegetables
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — There is always time to savour a fine glass of Ribera del Duero Tempranillo!
Bodegas Vionta
NEW
2074
YOU & ME ALBARIÑO, DO RÍAS BAIXAS, VIONTA, 2019 Albariño $ 18.00
Albariño from the northern Rias Baixas region is increasingly popular around the world. The 2019 You & Me has subtle honey and white springblossom aromas. It is a smooth wine developing quite a firm lemon acidity with good mid-palate weight and finishing with flavours of passionfruit and spices.
$ 108.00
2020-2021, M8 D9 Honey, spring blossoms
6°C
Try this new Spanish white from Galicia, where the Atlantic Ocean influences delicious wines.
Passionfruit, lemon, spices, [00] Steamed mussels with tomato and saffron
photo — Welcome to Bodegas Vionta and the very best view in the Salnes Valley, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
— SPAIN FERRER FAMILY WINES
41
Viticultors del Priorat 2075
MAS DE SUBIRÀ, VI DE GUARDA, BODEGAS MORLANDA, DOQ PRIORAT, 2018 Garnacha, Cariñena $ 28.00
$ 168.00
A full-bodied, characterful wine with flavours of red apples, herbs and Christmas spices. It’s mouth-filling with fine tannins and a good acidity to create harmony. Produced from a blend of 50% Cariñena and 50% Garnacha grapes grown on Ferrer’s Els Palells Estate in the south of the Priorat Region at Bellmunt. Grapes were hand harvested into small boxes, fermented in tank, and the wine then transferred to French oak barrels for ten months. A big wine with plenty of life ahead of it.
2020-2028, M6 D8 Cola, red apples, tarragon
18°C
Treacle, Christmas spices, raisins Grilled merguez sausage
42
CELLAR 279 — ALBERTA
photo — Ripe, juicy and incredibly healthy organically grown Garnacha grapes from Judit Llop in Priorat.
Spain’s iconic sparkling wine, Cava, guarantees a successful celebration!
Freixenet NEW NEW
2076
TORRE DEL GALL BRUT RESERVA, MÉTODO TRADICIONAL, DO CAVA Macabeo, Xarel.lo, Parellada $ 17.00
$ 102.00
2077
TORRE DEL GALL BRUT ROSÉ, MÉTODO TRADICIONAL, DO CAVA Trepat, Garnacha $ 17.00
$ 102.00
The Ferrer family are best known for their production of sparkling Cava and for establishing its reputation in markets around the world. Torre del Gall was produced from the best quality Macabeo, Xarel.lo and Parellada grapes. It has spices and white fruits with a touch of savoury resin and a lemon and apricot finish.
Freixenet, previously owned by the Ferrer family, is the largest producer of traditional method sparkling wine in the world and the biggest exporter of Cava. Produced from the local Catalonian Trepat grape and Garnacha, Torre del Gall rosé is salmon pink in colour with blackcurrant aromas and flavours of bitter cherries. Named after the avant-garde winery designed by Catalan architect Oscar Tusquets – and replete with a roof-top lake to help keep the wine at a constant cool temperature.
2020-2021, M8 D9
2020-2021, M8 D9
Spicy white fruits
6°C
Blackcurrant cordial
Lemon, apricot, [02]
Bitter cherries, [02]
Lemon shortcake
Tandoori chicken
photo — Steep Licorella slate slopes in the mountaineous region of Priorat, Cataluna, overlooking the ancient town of Bellmunt.
6°C
— SPAIN FERRER FAMILY WINES
43
FROM RESTAURANTS IN FRANCE AND ITALY ... JUST FOR YOU Opimian’s Bonus Online Cellar is coming back with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Small, independent winemakers in France and Italy have been deeply affected by the pandemic. Many of their wines are produced exclusively for the local restaurant and bar trade, so sales have been severely limited. Working with our French and Italian partners, Opimian will be offering brand new wines that would normally require travel to Europe to discover. Mark your calendars to get your hands on these exclusive wines—tasted and curated by Jane Masters MW and most never before available in Canada— all while supporting small, European wineries.
BONUS ONLINE CELLAR CWEB20 OCT 5 - NOV 2
Offered online only for a limited time this fall. Santé!
Opimian.ca