Cellar Offering C261 Ontario

on 

cellar 261 

Order between 

August 17 and 

September 21, 2018 

California, oregon and spain

Ordering Made Easy 

Legend 

Grape variety 

Red 

White 

Rosé 

Sparkling 

Bottle size 

Number of bottles in case 

Aroma 

Taste 

Serving temperature 

1. Select Your Wines 

Let yourself be inspired by our detailed descriptions or use your personal wine profile 

to find out which wines best suit your palate. Our custom chart also features a variety 

of symbols (explained below) that can guide your selection. 

Still unsure which wines to order? Opimian’s Wine Concierge is always available to 

help you make an informed choice. Contact our Wine Concierge at 1-800-361-9421 or 

by email at Concierge@Opimian.ca. 

2. Place Your Order 

There are five ways to order 

• Online: Go to Opimian.ca, sign in and select Order Now. 

• Email MemberService@Opimian.ca with your selection. 

• Call 1-800-361-9421 

• Fax your order to 514-481-9699 

• Mail your order* 

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. 

Expected arrival for shipments from this Cellar Offering is End-November 2018. 

Release dates are dependent upon actual arrival dates, distance from port of entry to 

liquor board and processing time required by each liquor board. 

Once the wine arrives at your local liquor store or distribution centre, you will receive 

a Pick Up Notice with the specified date (the Release Date) and your pick up location. 

You can follow the status of your shipment at all times at Opimian.ca. 

Ideal with 

Evolution 

Drink this year 

Will develop, drink within 2 years 

Meant for cellaring 

Concentration 

Light 

Medium 

Great 

Conditions of Purchase 

• Accepted payment methods: Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or cheque payable 

to Opimian. 

• Prices include all applicable federal and provincial mark ups and taxes. 

• A valid 2018 membership card is required to order and pick up. 

• Bottle prices are for reference only. All orders are by the case, with no minimum required. 

• Last day to order from this Cellar Offering: September 21, 2018. Important: no orders will be 

processed after this deadline. 

* Deadline for mailing orders: September 11, 2018. Please allow 10 days for delivery by Canada Post. 

Oak 

Light 

Medium 

Heavy 

Limited quantities 

Limited 

Very limited 

Extremely limited 

Less than 100 cases available 

M—Degree of Maturity (1-10) 

M1 = lay down 

M10 = fully mature 

Members’ Choice 

Most ordered by Opimian 

members 

Opimian Suggests 

Starting a cellar 

Medal Winner 

Discovery 

Opimian Discovery 2017 

C252 

Select Plus 

Opimian Select Plus 2017 

C252 

D—Degree of Drinkability (1-10) 

D1 = needs time 

D10 = ready to drink 

Sweetness scale Grams/litre Examples 

[00] 0 - 3 Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, many reds 

[01] 4 - 6 Some New World varietals, some reds 

[02] 7 - 12 Champagne, Sparkling, Rosés, few reds 

[03] 13 - 20 Mosel, some Alsace, Anjou 

[04] 21 - 34 Semi-sweet Bordeaux, some sherry 

[05] 35 - 50 Kabinett German, Late Harvest, Alsace 

[06] 51 - 74 Spätlese German, Sweet Loire, Port, Dessert Muscat 

[07] 75 - 100 Auslese, Beerenauslese 

[08] 101 - 139 Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port 

[09] 140 - 179 Icewines, Sauternes, Barsac, dessert wines, Port 

[10] 180 > Speciality sweet wines, Trockenbeerenauslese 

2 

CELLar 261 — 

ontario 

cover — Sunrise and early morning fog over Kenefick Ranch in the 

north end of Napa Valley.

Earlier this year, I spent a few days in California meeting winemakers, 

visiting wineries and tasting wines. In October and December 2017, 

the state was hit by the most devastating fires, so I was also keen to 

understand their impact on the wineries, their staff and, of course, the 

quality of the wine. Most of the grapes were harvested prior to the fires 

and all the 2017 wines I tasted have shown very well. Many wines in this 

cellar offering are from the 2015 vintage, an early year which, from the 

start, was considered top quality. From my recent tastings it has clearly 

lived up to, if not exceeded, all expectations. It was followed by another 

high-quality vintage in 2016. The wines offered are from a variety of areas 

across the Golden State, with some new Napa Valley wines. In addition, 

we offer a selection from Oregon and some great value wines from Spain. 

California 

Cellar 261 

California, Oregon and Spain 

Opimian’s Wine Consultant Jane Masters MW, tastes, selects and writes 

the commentary for each of the wines in the cellar offerings. Her aim is 

to find exclusive wines around the world that offer great value to Opimian 

members through regular visits to wine producers and trade shows. 

A Master of Wine since 1997 (one of 370 globally), Jane was elected as 

Chairman of the prestigious Institute of Masters of Wine in September 2016. 

Jane trained as a winemaker at the Bordeaux Institut d’Oenologie after a 

degree in Biological Chemistry and worked for UK retailer Marks & Spencer 

sourcing and managing the Wine & Drinks Category for 13 years. 

Featured 

Mountain View Winery-------------------4 

Cambridge Cellars-------------------- 10 

Kautz Family Vineyards---------------- 14 

Hook & Ladder Vineyards and Winery - 18 

Blue Rock Estate---------------------- 22 

GV Cellars, Chateau Diana, 

Zinfandelic, Wine Spots--------------- 25 

Kenefick Ranch----------------------- 28 

Oregon ------------------------------- 32 

Familia Bastida----------------------- 36 

Vinoselección------------------------- 40 

— Cellar 261 

ontario 

3

“This year we had a 

fantastic bounty of fruit 

and were able to really 

express the wines in the 

way they show best.“ 

4 

Cellar 261 — 

ontario 

photo — Angelo Pera is teaching the next generation 

how to make wines in the old-world style, utilizing 

modern techniques.

California 

Larkspur 

Mountain 

View Winery 

For anyone visiting California, Mountain View Winery has opened a great 

tasting room in Larkspur, just across the Golden Gate Bridge and less 

than 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco. There I met Angelo 

Pera, in a friendly and chilled atmosphere. Angelo took over the running 

of Mountain View Winery in 2010. His focus has been on sourcing 

small parcels of high-quality grapes and he now has 19 vineyards 

under his management. While I know that not all Opimians appreciate 

Chardonnay (generally there seems to be a preference for Sauvignon 

Blanc), it remains California’s most popular and most widely planted 

grape variety. Gone are the days of rich, fat, heavily oaked wines; today’s 

Chardonnay is much fresher and better balanced. I have selected three 

from Mountain View Winery, each with a distinctive style, from simple 

and fruity to a more complex, toasty wine. 

9872 Opimian California White 

Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, 

Gewürztraminer 

$ 13.08 $ 157.00 9873 Opimian California Red 

This is a simple white 

with flavours of fresh 

apples and pears, 

and relatively light 

alcohol at 12%. It is 

made from a blend 

of 44% Chardonnay, 

41% Pinot Grigio, and 

15% Gewürztraminer, 

fermented at low temperature in stainless 

steel tanks. 

Zinfandel, Cabernet 

Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah 

$ 13.08 $ 157.00 

Soft and easy-drinking red with wine gums 

flavours, it was partly aged in American oak 

barrels. It is a blend of 42% Zinfandel, 33% 

Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 12% 

Syrah. 

2018-2019, 

M8 D9 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

Pears, melon 6°C 

Wine gums, red fruit 16°C 

Fresh apples, [00] 

Light, easy-drinking 

Charred corn salad with shrimp 

Margherita pizza 

— california 

mountain view winery 

5

new 

9874 

Riverview Vineyards 

Chardonnay, California, 2017 

9875 

Chardonnay 

$ 17.92 $ 215.00 


Zinfandel, California, 2015 

9876 

Zinfandel 

$ 19.00 $ 228.00 

A soft, medium-bodied Zinfandel with lots 

of fresh, ripe dark fruit, blackberries and 

chocolate flavours, it was matured for twelve 

months in French oak barrels. It is perfectly 

ready for drinking now and over the next two 

to three years. 


Cabernet Sauvignon, 

California, 2017 

Cabernet Sauvignon 

$ 18.00 $ 216.00 

Unbeatable value, 

with intense and 

mellow tropical 

pineapple and 

banana fruit aromas, 

it is smooth with ripe 

pineapple flavours 

and pears on the 

finish. Well-balanced and with no use of oak, 

it is very easy to drink. 

Dark fruits with a hint 

of leather, this is a 


with some grip. It 

is medium-bodied 

with a slightly lean 

character and was 

aged for eight months 

in second-use American oak barrels. 

2018-2019, 

M8 D9 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

Tropical fruit, 

pineapple 

6°C 

Dark fruits, hint 

leather 

18°C 

Blackberries, 

chocolate 

18°C 

Ripe pineapple, pears, [00] 

Grippy 

Ripe dark fruits 

Snapper and pineapple ceviche with yam 

chips 

Barbecued baby back ribs with creamy 

mashed potatoes 

Steak au Poivre with spinach and crispy 

fingerling potatoes 

6 


ontario

9877 

Butterfly Ridge Pinot Grigio, 


9878 

Butterfly Ridge Chardonnay, 

Monterey County, 2016 

Pinot Grigio 

Chardonnay 

$ 19.83 $ 238.00 

$ 20.42 $ 245.00 

A great quaffing Pinot Grigio, the Butterfly 

Ridge 2017 has flavours of pears, grapefruit 

and other citrus fruits. It is smooth with good 

acidity, giving some grip on the finish. The 

grapes were grown in the Clarksburg-Delta 

region of California at La Slough Vineyard. 

The vineyard was planted in 2001 on sandy 

loam soils mixed with clay. 

2018-2019, 

M8 D9 

Bright in colour 

with aromas of lime 

custard, pineapple 

and some savoury 

notes, this is a 

really interesting 

Chardonnay with 

finesse. Ripe fruits 

dance on the tongue with pineapple and 

passion fruit. It is medium-bodied with 

balanced acidity, good depth and length. 

Pears, cheese rind 6°C 

Grapefruit, citrus, [00] 

Melon, avocado, mozzarella and prosciutto 

skewers 

Mellow, lime custard, 

pineapple, savoury 

edge 

Passion fruit, pineapple, [00] 

2018-2019, 

M8 D9 

6°C 

Pan-seared scallops with tropical fruit 

couscous 



7

9879 

Butterfly Ridge Zinfandel 

Rosé, California, 2017 

9880 

Zinfandel, Pinot Noir 

$ 14.67 $ 176.00 

Butterfly Ridge Merlot, 

Central Coast, 2017 

Merlot 

$ 19.00 $ 228.00 9881 

Watermelon and 

redcurrant aromas 

precede a nice 

fruity palate with 

sweet cherry and 

strawberry flavours, 

complemented by 

crisp acidity. Drier 

than most California rosés, it is a blend of 

54% Zinfandel with 46% Pinot Noir and is 

relatively light in alcohol at 11.5%. Perfect as 

a summer quaffer, it could even be served 

over ice. 

Fresh red fruit 

aromas lead to a 

medium-bodied, 

smooth wine with 

good acidity and a red 

cherry finish. Merlot 

grapes were grown 

to the east of Santa 

Maria; a perfect match with Santa Mariastyle 

barbecues! 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

Watermelon, 

redcurrant 

2018-2019, 

M8 D9 

6°C 

Sweet cherries, strawberry crush, [00] 

Ricotta and fresh pea toast 

Red fruits 18°C 

Red cherries 

Santa Maria BBQ: Tri-Tip sirloin seasoned 

with salt, pepper and garlic, pinquito beans, 

tomato salsa and buttery garlic bread 

Butterfly Ridge Cabernet 

Sauvignon, Central Coast, 

2017 


$ 27.17 $ 163.00 

This is a medium to full-bodied Cabernet 

Sauvignon with aromas of cola, cooked dark 

fruits and spices. On the palate, a more 

savoury character emerges with flavours 

of black liquorice and black cherries. It is 

concentrated, well-balanced and very long. 

The grapes were grown in Mountain View 

Winery’s Central Coast vineyards on sandy 

loam soils. After fermentation, the wine 

was matured for six months in French oak 

barrels. The vineyard is located in northern 

Paso Robles. 

2018-2022, 

M7 D9 

Cooked dark fruits, 

cola, spices 

18°C 

Black cherries, liquorice, savoury 

Venison loin with cherry Cumberland sauce 

8 


ontario 

photo — Bud break on June 10th, 2018

Mountain View Winery 

is our Select Plus producer 

for this cellar offering – 

find out more on 

the back cover. 

9882 

Butterfly Ridge Pinot Noir, 

Central Coast, 2017 

9883 

Duxinaro Chardonnay, 

Russian River Valley, 2016 

Pinot Noir 

$ 29.67 $ 178.00 

Chardonnay 

Pale garnet in colour, 

the 2017 Butterfly 

Ridge Pinot Noir is 

elegant and light with 

red fruit flavours, 

raspberry jam and 

red forest fruits, 

combined with vanilla 

and tea. It lingers, leaving a sour cherry 

acidity, inviting another sip. It is produced 

from grapes from the Santa Maria vineyard 

planted in 1998. 

$ 33.67 $ 202.00 

An oaked Chardonnay with lots of appeal, 

it is bright in colour with toasty oak notes 

and some savoury, nutty aromas laid over 

a ripe pineapple background. It is smooth 

and round with a slightly bitter citrus pith 

finish adding depth. The vineyard in Russian 

River Valley was planted in 1998. The wine 

was matured for twelve months in French 

oak barrels and underwent full malolactic 

fermentation. 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

Red fruit, raspberry 

jam, tea 

16°C 

Toasty oak, nuts, 

savoury, pineapple 

6°C 

Sour cherry, herbs, vanilla 

Round, smooth, citrus pith finish, [00] 

Seared duck breast with cherry and onion 

chutney 

Lobster macaroni and cheese with truffle oil 

photo — Angelo Pera and his daughter Christina, 

the next generation 



9

10 Cellar 261 — 

ontario

California 

Santa Rosa 

Cambridge 

Cellars 

Bruce Cunningham is an Aussie who lives in Novato, 

in California’s Marin County, just across from San 

Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Together with his 

wife Kim, they originally started importing Australian 

wines to the US. The business grew and expanded to 

include wines from other regions, and in 2016 they 

merged with Sonoma Estate Vintners. 

“Relationships with our 

customers, suppliers and 

employees have been what 

drive us… oh, as well as our 

love for wine.“ 

– Bruce & Kim Cunningham 

photo — Adler Fels is German for “Eagle Rock”. The 

winemaking team allows the qualities of the grapes to 

shine through to the glass. 


Cambridge cellars 

11

9885 

Cambridge & Sunset 

Grasscutter, Red Blend, 


Zinfandel, Petit Verdot 

$ 23.83 $ 143.00 

Ordering made easy! 

Call 1-800-361-9421 

This is a youthful fruity 

wine with flavours of 

apples, blackberries 

and plums. Cambridge 

& Sunset is named after 

the first address at which 

Bruce and his wife Kim 

lived when they arrived 

in California. The grapes 

were sourced along the 

coast and the San Joaquin River Delta. 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

Fruity, apples, plums 16°C 

Blackberries 

Penne with roasted tomatoes sauce 

9886 

new 

Wild Brush Cellars 

Chardonnay, Central Coast, 

2015 

Chardonnay 

$ 29.33 $ 176.00 

Apple, lime blossom, 

spice 

Citrus, mandarin, [00] 

Shrimp and crab bisque 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

6°C 

Lime yellow in colour, aromas of apple, lime 

blossom and some spice give this wine lots 

of appeal. It is medium-bodied with lime 

and other citrus flavours leading to a long 

mandarin finish. The Central Coast spans 

from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. The 

grapes for Wild Brush Cellars’ Chardonnay 

were grown on east-facing slopes on the 

Santa Lucia Mountain range in the north 

of Monterey County. The proximity to the 

Pacific Ocean and the influence of the 

ocean breezes, and fog are well-suited to 

Chardonnay. With 2015 a good vintage in 

California, the grapes were picked early and 

ripe fruit flavours are complemented by a 

partial malolactic fermentation. 

12 


ontario

new 

9888 

Rancho Costero, Cabernet 

Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2016 

9889 

new 

Adler Fels Pinot Noir, The 

Eagle Rock, 2014 

9887 

new 

Barrelhouse, Aged in 

Bourbon barrels for 

3 Months, Red Blend, 


Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah 

$ 33.50 $ 201.00 

Lots of vanilla and caramel aromas 

complement cooked red fruits. This mediumbodied 

wine is a blend of Merlot, Zinfandel 

and Petite Sirah with flavours of cooked 

cherry pie and spices. It was matured in 

American oak barrels from forests in the 

Midwest previously used for Bourbon. 


$ 36.83 $ 221.00 

Deep in colour with dark 

fruit, coconut, leather 

and mineral notes, this 

Cabernet Sauvignon from 

Paso Robles is a chewy 

wine. Medium-bodied, it 

has a grainy texture with 

juicy acidity and a sour 

blackberry finish. Paso 

Robles is a varied region with a range of soils 

and climates depending on distance from the 

sea and the Templeton Gap, a break in the 

coastal mountains that allows cool air in from 

the ocean. Hot days and cool nights allow for 

slow-ripening of Cabernet Sauvignon with full 

flavour development. 

Pinot Noir 

$ 41.17 $ 247.00 

The Pinot Noir 

grapes for Adler 

Fels The Eagle 

Rock are sourced 

from Santa Rita 

Hills in Santa 

Barbara County 

and Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. 

Both regions enjoy a cool climate, ideal for 

growing quality Pinot Noir. Ruby in colour, 

the 2014 has lots of ripe fruits, red cherries 

and spice. It is soft and smooth on the palate 

with fresh cherry intermingling with tangy 

raspberry flavours which continue to linger 

on the palate. 

2018-2021, 

M8 D9 

2018-2021, 

M7 D8 

2018-2021, 

M7 D9 

Vanilla, cooked red 

fruits 

18°C 

Dark fruits, mineral, 

coconut 

18°C 

Ripe fruits, red 

cherries 

16°C 

Cherry pie, spices 

Sour blackberry finish 

Smooth, tangy raspberries 

Spiced black bean burgers with baked sweet 

potato chips 

Rack of lamb with ratatouille and roasted 

tomato jus 

Roast Cornish hen with cherry-port glaze 

photo — A fun-loving, dynamic team of wine lovers, 

from the bottling line, to the production team, to sales 

and marketing 


Cambridge cellars 

13


ontario

California 

Sierra Foothills 

Kautz Family 

Vineyards 

The Kautz family has been farming in Lodi for four 

generations, settling there in 1926, and is an integral 

part of the community. The Stone Valley range is 

named after the well-drained gravelly soils on which 

the grapes are grown. 

“As a family-owned winery, 

we strive to produce wines 

that we enjoy sharing with 

family and friends.“ 

photo — Peacocks roam through the Lodi vineyards, 

feasting on insects and pests, helping with the Kautz 

Family’s sustainability program. 


kautz family vineyards 

15

The Kautz family 

began farming 

in Lodi in 1926. 

9891 

9892 

Stone Valley Red Blend, 


Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah 

$ 16.33 $ 196.00 

With spicy dark fruits aromas, this simple 

enjoyable wine is made from 50% Merlot, 

40% Zinfandel and 10% Petite Sirah. The 

grapes were fermented in rotary fermenters, 

allowing colour and tannin extraction at low 

temperature. It was aged with French oak for 

two months. 

Stone Valley Merlot, 


Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite 

Sirah 

$ 16.33 $ 196.00 

Cooked fruits, 

crushed berries 

and raisiny aromas 

lead to a soft, 

sweet attack. 

Stone Valley Merlot 

is relatively light 

in body with a firm 

finish. A small amount of Petit Verdot and 

Petite Sirah was added. 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

Spicy oak, dark fruit 16°C 

Cooked fruits 16°C 

Simple, medium-bodied 

Soft, light to medium-bodied 

Slow-cooked pulled pork sliders 

Veal Parmigiana topped with marinara and 

mozzarella 

16 


ontario 

photo — John and Gail Kautz – from their family to 

yours, they are pleased to share their wines with you.

9893 

Stone Valley Cabernet 

Sauvignon, California, 2017 


Cabernet Franc, Syrah 

$ 16.33 $ 196.00 

Deeper in colour and more concentrated in 

flavour, Stone Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has 

dark fruits, black cherry and smoke aromas. 

On the palate, there are succulent fruits with 

vanilla and cherry flavours on the finish. 

The grapes were sourced from selected 

vineyards in the Sloughhouse, Clements Hills 

and Mokelumne River sub-regions of Lodi. 

Cabernet Sauvignon was blended with 10% 

Cabernet Franc and 10% Syrah, and oakaged 

for four months. 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

Black cherry, dark 

fruits, smoke 

18°C 

Succulent fruits, vanilla 

Beef tagliata with grilled vegetables 

photo — Small stones throughout the vineyards 

provide a mineral component and force the vines to 

produce intensity in the grapes. 


kautz family vineyards 

17

“We make a special effort to preserve our 

most important agricultural resource: water.“ 

18 


ontario 

photo — Mustard naturally flourishes as barrier 

for vineyard pests, helping to promote natural 

biodynamic farming practices.

California 

Russian River Valley 

Hook & 

Ladder 

Vineyards 

and Winery 

It was great to catch up with winemaker Jason De Loach in January; 

his wines just get better and better with each vintage. 2015 seems 

to have been an exceptional year for Hook & Ladder, with all the red 

wines showing great concentration, balance and cellaring potential. 

The winery is just outside Santa Rosa, the town which suffered the 

brunt of California’s wildfires last year, losing thousands of homes 

to the Tubbs Fire. Hook & Ladder, which has 375 acres of vineyards, 

had harvested over 90% of their grapes before the fire took hold, but 

the winery was still affected in having no electricity from the grid 

to refrigerate fermenting tanks or to work the press. Many of the 

workers were displaced and the danger of smoke inhalation meant 

everyone had to wear masks and ventilators. Speaking to Jason, I 

sensed a feeling of calm resolve and his quiet determination to simply 

make the best wines possible whatever the situation. 

9894 

Hook & Ladder Chardonnay, 

Estate Bottled, Russian River 

Valley, 2016 

Chardonnay 

$ 54.00 $ 324.00 

Ripe white fruits, 

pineapple, blossom, 

spice 

Pure, mineral, toast, [00] 

Roasted seafood-stuffed pineapple 

2018-2021, 

M8 D9 

6°C 

2016 Hook & Ladder Chardonnay has all 

the markings of a refined Chardonnay. It 

is restrained with ripe white fruits, pears, 

pineapple, blossom and spice, with a toasty 

oak character well-integrated with the fruit. 

It is a refined wine with great purity of fruit 

and a minerality which gives length and 

depth, finishing on citrus pith. Chardonnay 

grapes were de-stemmed, crushed, pressed, 

fermented and underwent malolactic 

fermentation. 75% of the wine was fermented 

and matured for eight months in French oak 

barrels, 20% new. Barrels were hand-stirred 

once a month. 


hook & ladder vineyards and winery 

19

9895 

Hook & Ladder The Tillerman, 


Valley, 2015 

9896 


Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, 

Merlot 

$ 55.67 $ 334.00 

Hook & Ladder Merlot, 

Los Amigos Ranch, Estate 

Bottled, Chalk Hill, 2015 

Merlot 

new 

$ 68.33 $ 410.00 

Among the highest 

scoring wines in this 

line up, The Tillerman 

2015 is deeply coloured 

with mellow aromas of 

spice, dark fruits, black 

cherry and vanilla. It is 

rich and smooth with 

a concentrated palate 

which reveals flavours of 

forest fruits and a vibrant black fruit acidity. 

Irresistible now, it also has great potential 

for the future. It is a blend of 50% Cabernet 

Sauvignon, 18% Sangiovese, 16% Cabernet 

Franc, and 16% Merlot. 

Mellow, dark fruits, 

black cherries, vanilla, 

spice 

Forest fruits, blackberries 

2018-2024, 

M6 D9 

18°C 

Pan-seared beef fillet with blue cheese and 

blackberry-port sauce 

The cool climate of the Russian River Valley 

suits Merlot, producing more precise wines 

than Merlot grown in warmer regions. Hook 

& Ladder Merlot 2015 has concentrated 

aromas of blackcurrants, sweet dark fruits 

and vanilla. It is juicy with plump fruits and 

black cherry flavours. Fine in texture, it 

has good acidity and tannin structure with 

a long finish. Merlot grapes were grown on 

Los Amigos Ranch in Chalk Hill. The grapes 

were gently de-stemmed and crushed then 

fermented in tank. The wine was matured for 

seventeen months in French and American 

oak, 25% new. 

Blackcurrants, sweet 

dark fruits, vanilla 

Black cherry 

2018-2023, 

M6 D9 

18°C 

Grilled lamb burgers with cherry balsamic 

relish 

20 


ontario 

photo — Cecil De Loach was a San Francisco 

firefighter when he purchased the winery; this 

firetruck is a nod to his former career.

9899 

new 

Hook & Ladder Reserve 

Cabernet Sauvignon, “Third 

Alarm”, Los Amigos Ranch, 

Estate Bottled, Chalk Hill, 2015 


$ 77.50 $ 465.00 

“Third Alarm” is a selection of the best 

barrels. It is concentrated and structured, 

requiring more time to reach its optimum 

for drinking. Spicy vanilla, smoky bacon 

and cola cube aromas lead to succulent 

fruits and sweet vanilla on the palate. It is 

rich and concentrated with oaky flavours 

of smoke and creosote. It was matured for 

twenty months in French oak from artisanal 

Burgundian family cooperage Claude Gillet 

and American oak with 35% new. 

9897 

new 

Hook & Ladder Zinfandel, 


Valley, 2015 

9898 

Hook & Ladder Cabernet 

Sauvignon, Los Amigos Ranch, 

Estate Bottled, Chalk Hill, 

2015 

Zinfandel 

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot 

$ 68.33 $ 410.00 

$ 70.67 $ 424.00 

This Zinfandel displays 

typical herbal vermouth 

aromas with coffee and 

floral notes. It is soft 

on the attack as floral 

and blueberry flavours 

emerge, leading to 

redcurrants and a grippy 

finish. Over 90% of the 

grapes came from Hook & Ladder’s Gambogi 

Ranch vineyard planted in 1909 and farmed 

by the De Loach family since the 1970s. The 

grapes were harvested between September 

9th and September 22nd, and fermented 

in open-top tanks, followed by aging in 

American oak barrels for seventeen months 

with 20% new. 

This is a dense wine 

with fresh black 

fruits, black cherries, 

blackcurrant and smoky 

aromas. Los Amigos 

Ranch lies just south of 

Healdsburg in the Chalk 

Hill appellation, on the 

western foothills of the 

Mayacamas range. This 

is a fine wine, smooth and concentrated 

with bitter black cherry, nutmeg and ginger 

flavours. It is tight and structured with a long 

chocolate, vanilla and savoury finish, and the 

potential to mature nicely. 3% Merlot was 

added to the final wine to give more midpalate 

weight and enhance the silky texture. 

2018-2021, 

M8 D9 

2018-2028, 

M6 D8 

2018-2030, 

M5 D8 

Herbal, floral, coffee 18°C 

Smoke, blackcurrants, 

black cherries 

18°C 

Spice, vanilla, cola 

cube 

18°C 

Blueberry, redcurrants 

Black cherry, floral, vanilla 

Sweet vanilla fruits, smoky 

Bacon-wrapped venison loin with 

mushrooms and redcurrants-wine sauce 

Prime Rib with Cabernet jus 

Oxtail stew with prunes and pancetta 

photo — Each season brings its own unique beauty. 

Cool-climate-loving varietals thrive in the Russian 

River Valley. 


hook & ladder vineyards and winery 

21


ontario

California 

Alexander Valley 

Blue Rock Estate 

A whirlwind visit to see Kenny Kahn in February 

was well worth it to hear about his latest projects. 

Kenny and his wife Cheryl recently purchased land 

in Sonoma’s coastal region, close to the Petaluma 

Gap, with a view to making fine Pinot Noir. The 30 

acres of virgin land were being prepared for planting 

in spring so it will be at least three years before 

any wines are made. The couple has owned Blue 

Rock Estate at Cloverdale since 1987, and have fully 

restored the historic property and buildings. It is 

beautiful and well worth a visit if going to Alexander 

Valley. A new winemaker, Kent Humphrey, was 

appointed from the 2016 vintage; his first vintage of 

Baby Blue is delicious. 

“Each farming practice is 

tempered by the specific 

requirements, the varied 

microclimates and the 

knowledge that comes from 

a historical relationship with 

every vine.“ 

photo — The cool mornings and warm days that 

characterize the Alexander Valley allow Bordeaux 

varietals to develop clarity and finesse. 


blue rock estate 

23

9900 

Alexander Valley 


produces generous fruit 

and robust tannins. 

Baby Blue Estate Red 

Blend, Blue Rock Vineyard, 

Alexander Valley, Sonoma, 

2016 

9901 

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, 

Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot, 

Cabernet Franc 

$ 65.67 $ 394.00 

Baby Blue is produced from all six varieties 

planted on the estate, with the proportions 

of each varying depending on the vintage. 

Cabernet Sauvignon always forms the 

backbone of the blend, with 46% in 2016, 

blended with 35% Merlot, 6% Syrah, 6% 

Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet 

Franc. The wine has mellow cooked fruit 

aromas with vanilla spice, ginger and 

succulent fruits. The palate has juicy acidity 

and good depth with the focus very much 

on fruit. It is structured with some grainy 

tannins. All the grapes were grown on the 

Blue Rock estate, named after the high 

content of stones, rocks and boulders of blue 

Serpentine. The wine was matured for twelve 

months in French oak barrels. 

Mellow, cooked fruits, 

musk 

Ginger, vanilla, succulent fruits 

Moroccan lentils-stuffed eggplant 

2018-2022, 

M7 D9 

18°C 

Blue Rock Estate, Cabernet 

Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 

2015 


$ 89.67 $ 538.00 

This is an 

elegant 

wine with 

a ripe 

bouquet of dark fruits, cassis, blueberries 

and vanilla. It is soft and smooth with floral, 

chocolate and bitter cherry flavours evolving 

in the mouth. Fine-grained in texture with 

a medium body, the grapes came from the 

oldest plots on the estate planted in 1987. It was 

matured for twenty-two months in 50% new 

French oak and 50% one-year-old barrels. 

Raisins, cassis, 

blueberries, herbs, 

vanilla 

Meaty, chocolate, bitter cherry 

2018-2028, 

M6 D8 

18°C 

Pan-seared filet mignon with garlic-herb 

butter and Brussels sprouts 

24 


ontario 

photo — Today, everything is a modern version of 

things that existed before, but Kenny Kahn has 

preserved the Estate’s old-world style.

new 

new 

9903 

GV Cellars Merlot, North 

Coast, 2016 

9904 

Sparkplug, Bourbon Barrel- 

Aged, California Red Blend, 

NV 

Merlot 

Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot, 

Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel 

$ 31.50 $ 189.00 

$ 40.50 $ 243.00 

9902 

new 

GV Cellars Cabernet 

Sauvignon, Lodi, 2014 

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot 

$ 31.50 $ 189.00 

GV Cellars is a family winery based in the 

Solano County Green Valley AVA, to the 

east of the Bay area. It is a small valley, 

approximately one mile wide and four miles 

long. Established in 2005, GV Cellars farms 

30 acres of vineyards growing six varietals, 

and sources high-quality fruit from around 

the region. This Cabernet Sauvignon comes 

from the neighbouring Lodi region. Deep 

plum in colour, it has spicy floral notes 

with some sweet pipe tobacco aroma and 

a hint of leather. Firm on the palate with 

sour blackberries and other dark fruits, it 

has a grainy texture and a chewy finish with 

lingering spicy, incense flavours. 

A softer and 

lighter wine with 

mellow plummy 

fruit aromas and 

savoury bitter 

chocolate flavours, 

it is mediumbodied 

with good 

acidity and a dry finish. Winemaker Sterling 

Albert has an interesting background, 

having previously been an orchid grower, 

landscaper and engineering contractor, as 

well as a cook during college. He was blown 

away when he tasted a bottle of Château 

Pétrus on his 21st birthday. His ongoing 

pursuit is to create California wines that rival 

the best of France. 

Plummy fruits 18°C 

Damson jam, bitter chocolate 

Charcuterie 

2018-2023, 

M6 D8 

Aged in Tennessee 

Bourbon barrels, 

Sparkplug has aromas 

of cola cubes and 

vanilla, mingling with 

tarragon and oregano 

herbs over a ripe dark 

cherry background. 

Produced by Chateau 

Diana in the Dry Creek 

Valley AVA, it is an interesting blend of 71% 

Malbec, 11% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot, 5% 

Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Zinfandel. This 

is a bold wine, with 15% alcohol, medium to 

full-bodied with flavours of black treacle and 

dark fruits with a fine texture. 

Dark cherries, 

tarragon, oregano, 

vanilla 

Black treacle, mellow oak 

Winter venison stew 

2018-2022, 

M8 D8 

18°C 

2018-2023, 

M6 D8 

Floral, sweet tobacco, 

hint of leather 

18°C 

Blackberries, dark fruits, incense 

Wild mushroom risotto 

photo — GV Cellars vines planted at the foot of the 

Twin Sisters summits, the highest peak in the Howell 

Mountains and Napa Valley 


GV Cellars, Chateau diana 

25

9906 

Red cherries, floral, 

calfskin 

Forest floor 

new 

Wine Spots Cuvée 38, Napa 

Valley, 2015 


Cabernet Franc 

$ 57.17 $ 343.00 

2018-2022, 

M7 D9 

18°C 

Wagyu beef braised short ribs with oyster 

mushrooms 

Following the success 

of Wine Spots Merlot 

offered last year, I 

have selected two 

other wines produced 

by Daniel LeFrancois, 

a keen traveller. 

Wine Spots relates 

to the spots on a 

map or plots of land 

that produce distinctive quality wines. 

Restrained in style, Cuvée 38 is a blend 

of classic Bordeaux varieties Cabernet 

Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc 

grown in Napa Valley. It is named after the 

38th parallel which passes through Napa 

Valley. The 2015 has aromas of red cherries, 

floral and forest floor notes with a savoury 

calfskin edge. It is medium-bodied with a 

grainy texture and some firm tannins. 

new 

9905 

Zinfandelic Zinfandel, 

Mendocino County, 2016 

Zinfandel 

$ 44.33 $ 266.00 

This is a vibrant Zinfandel with crunchy 

ripe red fruits, red apples and red cherries 

with lavender. Three versions of Zinfandelic 

are produced from different regions in 

California; my preference from the 2016 

vintage was this wine from Mendocino 

County. It has refreshing acidity, with fresh 

cherry and violet flavours, and is mediumbodied 

with a long bitter cherry finish. The 

funky label encapsulates California cool in 

the 1960s. Produced from vineyards located 

in California’s rugged North Coast, the 

region benefits from high temperatures 

during the day and cool nights coupled with 

rich, well-drained soils. 

2018-2021, 

M8 D9 

Red cherries, red 

apples, lavender 

18°C 

Ripe fruits, fresh cherries 

Crown roast of pork with apple and onion 

stuffing 

26 


ontario 

photo — Zinfandelic winemaker Daniel LeFrancois 

pays tribute to Zinfandel, the free-spirited grape, and 

his personal love for 1960s rock music.

9907 

Wine Spots Merlot, Napa 

Valley, 2015 

9908 

Merlot 

$ 57.17 $ 343.00 

new 

Wine Spots Cabernet 

Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2015 


Mellow with black 

cherries, smoke and 

spicy aromas, Merlot 

grapes for Wine 

Spots were sourced 

from the Stags Leap, 

Rutherford, and St. 

Helena sub-regions of 

Napa Valley. The 2015 is 

medium-bodied with a 

juicy mid-palate. It has good depth with dark 

black berry fruits, a grainy texture and a long 

bitter cherry finish. It was aged in French oak 

barrels, giving a kiss of vanilla and toast. 

$ 61.50 $ 369.00 

Intense oaky notes of cloves, cinnamon and 

smoke lay over a background of cooked 

apples and blackberries. Wine Spots Cabernet 

Sauvignon 2015 is rich and concentrated on 

the palate with dried fruits and a long spicy, 

cedary finish. This is a classic Napa Valley 

Cabernet Sauvignon that will benefit from 

some bottle age for the oak to integrate 

more fully. Cabernet Sauvignon is planted on 

gravelly well-drained hillside slopes in Stags 

Leap, Rutherford and St. Helena. 

2018-2022, 

M8 D9 

2018-2024, 

M6 D7 

Smoke, spice, black 

cherry 

18°C 

Cloves, cinnamon, 

apples, blackberries 

18°C 

Dark berry fruits, mellow, bitter cherry 

Spicy fruits, smoky finish 

Grilled salmon with cherry compote 

Lamb tagine 

photo — Wine Spots Merlot Vineyards 

in the Napa Valley 


wine spots 

27

“At Kenefick Ranch, we believe that 

great wine starts in the vineyard. 

We are dedicated to producing the 

best fruit in the Napa Valley and 

bottling the purest representation 

of a lifelong dream.“ 

28 


ontario

California 

Calistoga, Napa Valley 

Kenefick Ranch 

In February, I visited Kenefick Ranch on the outskirts 

of Calistoga at the northern end of Napa Valley. The 

250-acre ranch is tucked into the foothills of the 

craggy Palisades Mountains and neighbours the 

iconic and historic Eisele Vineyard, now owned by 

Château Latour’s François Pinault. The Napa Valley 

runs north westwards, and this region represents 

its most western point, and is the warmest part 

of valley; temperatures can be a full 15°C warmer 

than in Carneros during the day. However, the 

region is surrounded by mountains which capture 

cool air at night and so has the largest diurnal 

shift in temperature, which is important for flavour 

development and fine tannins. 

I spent the morning with Dr. Tom Kenefick and his 

son Chris. The vineyard was established in the late 

1970s by Tom, who was a practicing neurosurgeon 

in San Francisco at the time. Now retired, he lives 

on the ranch and is still very hands-on with his son 

Chris and daughter Caitlin running the business. For 

the time being, wines are made by Kent Jarman at 

a nearby winery, although the family have applied 

for a permit to build their own facility. The winery 

produces four red wines, each characterized by a 

fine silky texture with great finesse. 

photo — The original 1930s Kenefick Ranch 

farmhouse, overlooking one of the Cabernet 

Sauvignon fields 


kenefick ranch 

29

9909 

new 

Kenefick Ranch Merlot, 

Estate Grown, Calistoga, 

Napa Valley, 2015 

9910 

new 

Kenefick Ranch Cabernet 

Franc, Caitlin’s Select, 



Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit 

Verdot 

$ 85.33 $ 512.00 

Merlot, Petit Verdot 

$ 85.33 $ 512.00 

Dense in colour, the 2015 Merlot has oaky 

aromas of pencil lead and cigar box over 

ripe black cherries, with the oak dominating 

somewhat at the time of tasting. Flavours 

of ripe fruits lie behind chocolate, spice 

and savoury notes. This is a complex wine 

with a soft, smooth attack. 12% Petit Verdot 

was combined with Merlot to add depth and 

balanced acidity. It is medium-bodied with a 

fine texture, dark fruits and a long savoury, 

smoky finish. The grapes were harvested 

on August 27th, 2015 and underwent a 

four-day cold soak before fermentation. It 

was matured in barrel for eighteen months 

using 60% new French Oak and 40% neutral 

oak from coopers Taransaud, Sylvain and 

Treuil. Tom described it as a, “Merlot for Cab 

drinkers”, and I completely understand what 

he means. This is a wine with great balance 

which will benefit from cellaring. 

Black cherries, pencil 

lead 

2018-2026, 

M6 D8 

18°C 

Ripe fruits, chocolate, savoury spice 

Guinea fowl with morels and herb gnocchi 

Cooked and dried fruits 

with figs, raisins and plums 

precede a soft, smooth 

palate. A red berry acidity 

emerges with flavours of 

bitter red cherries and 

black treacle. It is more 

savoury than the Merlot 

with a long finish. Cabernet 

Franc was blended with 

10% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot. All the 

grapes were picked by hand and the wine 

matured in oak for eighteen months, then 

bottled on June 9th, 2017. 

Cooked, dried fruits, 

figs, raisins, plums 

Bitter cherries, black treacle 

2018-2024, 

M6 D8 

18°C 

Braised veal shanks with raisins and figs 

30 


ontario 

photo — Proprietor Dr. Tom Kenefick and 

Winemaker Kent Jarman sample the fruit in 

anticipation of harvest.

9912 

new 

Kenefick Ranch Pickett Road 

Red, Estate Grown, Calistoga, 


Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet 

Franc 

$ 108.83 $ 653.00 

Black cherries, red 

and black fruits, 

vanilla, smoke 

2018-2030, 

M5 D7 

18°C 

Aromas of smoke and 

black cherries lead to a 

smooth wine with red and 

black fruits, black cherry 

and vanilla flavours. Rich 

and concentrated, it is 

tight knit and full-bodied. 

Produced from 50% Petit 

Verdot, 38% Merlot and 

12% Cabernet Franc, 

each variety was harvested by hand at 2 

a.m. to benefit from the cool night air. It was 

matured in a variety of French oak barrels 

with 70% new. 

Black cherry, vanilla 

Lamb and rosemary hotpot with paprika 

potatoes 

Napa Valley is renowned as 

a premier wine-producing 

region. These wines are proof! 

9911 

new 

Kenefick Ranch Cabernet 

Sauvignon, Chris’s Cuvée, 




Petit Verdot 

$ 108.83 $ 653.00 

Mellow, ripe dark fruits, cooked blackcurrant 

compote and vanilla are hugely enticing. The 

Cabernet Sauvignon has more depth on the 

nose and the oak is well-integrated. Soft, rich 

and ripe on the palate, it is a structured wine, 

full-bodied and quite firm. Flavours of bitter 

black fruits and chocolate lead to a very long, 

savoury finish; a wine with huge potential. 

Cabernet Sauvignon was picked by hand 

between September 29th and October 2nd, 

2015. 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot complete 

the assemblage. It was matured in French oak 

barrels for eighteen months with 75% new. 

2018-2030, 

M5 D7 

Mellow, ripe dark 

fruits, vanilla, cooked 

blackcurrant compote 

18°C 

Black fruits, savoury, bitter cherry 

Beef stew with carrots, mushrooms and 

sweet onions 

photo — During harvest time, everyone is out in the 

fields, whether they are picking grapes or keeping 

watch. 


kenefick ranch 

31

“Our passion is to create 

wines that reflect the beauty 

surrounding us in the 

Southern Willamette Valley.“ 

–Sweet Cheeks Winery & Vineyard 

32 


ontario 

photo — Sweet Cheeks Winery’s tasting room and 

patio overlook the beautiful Crow Valley in the 

Southern Willamette Valley.

oregon 

While there is more and more outside investment coming from 

larger groups into Oregon’s vineyards, it remains very much a 

community of small holdings and family-run wineries. The cool 

climate makes it most suitable for white grape varieties, and of 

course it is famous for Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. 

9913 

new 

Sweet Cheeks Winery 

& Vineyard Pinot Gris, 

Willamette Valley, 2015 

Pinot Gris 

$ 46.33 $ 278.00 

Sweet Cheeks Winery & Vineyard at Eugene 

in the southern part of the Willamette Valley 

was founded by Dan Smith. Dan planted 

vineyards on gently rolling hills from 1978 

through the early 1980s and supplied grapes 

to local wineries. In 2005 he expanded the 

venture to create his own winery. Today, 

Sweet Cheeks Winery & Vineyard has 55 

acres of vineyards and the wines are made 

by Dan’s first employee Leo Gabica, now 

winemaker, whose son Ian has also joined 

the business. Sweet Cheeks Pinot Gris 2015 

has lots of appeal with aromas of fresh 

green apples and fresh fennel. It is light to 

medium-bodied with some spritz, supple 

with a tangy lemon and mandarin finish. 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

Fresh green apples, 

fennel 

6°C 

Spritz, lemon, mandarin, [02] 

Curried apple and carrot soup 

— oregon 

sweet cheeks winery & vineyard 

33

Willamette 

Valley 

Holloran 

Vineyard 

Wines 

Eve and Bill Holloran moved 

to the Portland area in 1999 

and purchased a vineyard 

in Dundee Hills as well as a 

parcel of land in Eola-Amity 

Hills which they planted. Their 

first vintage was made in a 

converted horse barn. Now the 

vineyards, tended to by Vicente 

Mora, are nicely mature and 

they have a purpose-built 

winery where the wines are 

made by Mark La Gasse. 

Oregon boasts more than 

700 wineries and more than 

1,000 vineyards growing 

72 grape varieties. 

34 


ontario 

photo — Riesling grapes at the sorting table at 

Holloran Vineyard Wines

9914 

Stafford Hill, Holloran 

Pinot Noir, Willamette 

Valley, 2015 

Holloran Pinot Noir, 

Willamette Valley, 2015 

9916 $ 285.00 9915 

$ 47.50 

Pinot Noir 

Pinot Noir 

$ 58.83 $ 353.00 

$ 69.17 $ 415.00 

Oregon is most 

The Holloran Willamette 

famous for its Pinot 

Valley Pinot Noir is 

Noir and Holloran 

made from a selection 

makes several 

of the best barrels 

cuvées and singlevineyard 

and is distinctly more 

Pinots 

concentrated with fresh 

as well as the 

red fruits, aromas 

Stafford Hill which 

of red cherries and 

is a lighter wine ready for early drinking. The 

strawberries, with a 

2015 Stafford Hill is light to medium-bodied hint of menthol. It is soft and smooth with more 

with redcurrant and cranberry flavours. The body and potential for cellaring. It is balanced 

grapes come from several plots in Dundee with a long, smooth finish. In keeping with 

Hills, Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills. the 2014 offered last year, the style is more 

towards red rather than black fruits, more 

classic and elegant in stature. The grapes were 

2018-2021, 

M8 D9 de-stemmed, fermented Burgundian style, with 

regular punching down of the cap, and then 

Red fruits 16°C matured in French oak barrels. 

Redcurrant, cranberry 

2018-2023, 

M6 D9 

Holloran Riesling, Dundee 

Chicken Wellington with cranberry-walnut 

stuffing 

Fresh red fruits, red 

cherries, strawberries 

18°C 

Hills, 2016 

Smooth fruits 

Classic roast turkey with fruit-chestnut 

Riesling 

stuffing 

A well-made, currently restrained Riesling 

with good potential, the grapes were grown 

on Le Pavillon Vineyard in the Dundee Hills. 

The 2016 is pale yellow in colour with some 

wet stone and lime aromas. It is soft with an 

off-dry sweetness perfectly balanced by the 

acidity, giving it a medium body with honeyed 

flavours and nice depth. 

2018-2021, 

M7 D8 

Lime, wet stone 6°C 

Honeyed, white fruits, [02] 

Spicy shrimp salad 

photo — Holloran steam sanitizes the barrels 

before they are filled. 

— oregon 

holloran vineyard wines 

35

36 


ontario 

photo — A small garden located at the front of the 

winery in Socuéllamos

Spain 

Murcia 

Familia 

Bastida 

The Bastida family has been making wine in 

different regions of Spain since 1870. They 

continue to make a range of wines in Jumilla, 

Ribera del Duero and Cava, among others. 

9917 

new 

Molina Cánovas, Brut Nature, 

Ecológico, Traditional 

Method, DO Cava 

Chardonnay, Macabeo 

$ 23.83 $ 143.00 

Lime and quince aromas with some herbs 

lead to a crisp, dry palate. This is a wellbalanced 

Cava with fine bubbles, produced 

from 50% Chardonnay and 50% Macabeo. 

The grapes were harvested in early 

September and fermented to produce a base 

wine. A second fermentation in bottle was 

followed by twenty months aging on lees. 

2018-2019, 

M8 D9 

Lime, quince, herbs 6°C 

Dry, crisp, [02] 

Pan-seared scallops with lime, chilli and 

coriander 

— spain 

familia bastida 

37

new 

new 

9918 

Rio Lilo, Sauvignon Blanc- 

Airen, DOP Jumilla, 2017 

9919 

Genio Español, Organic, DOP 

Jumilla, 2017 

Sauvignon Blanc, Airen 

Monastrell 

$ 15.17 $ 91.00 

$ 17.00 $ 102.00 

Rio Lilo Sauvignon Blanc- 

Airen is pale in colour with 

fruity aromas of fresh 

lemons, limes and green 

apples. Sauvignon Blanc 

and Airen were grown on 

calcareous soils around 

Murcia, in the southeast of 

Spain at between 600 and 

800 metres. 

2018-2019, 

M8 D9 

A flavoursome fruity wine made from 

organic grapes, Genio Español has ripe 

red fruit and cherry aromas. Produced 

from 100% Monastrell grapes grown in 

old vineyards, the wine spent two to three 

months in French and American oak 

barrels. It is medium-bodied and wellbalanced 

with juicy red fruits. 

Red fruits, cherries 16°C 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

Lemon, lime, fresh 

apples 

6°C 

Juicy red fruits 

Melon, pears, [01] 

Grilled chorizo with black-eyed beans 

Meyer lemon-crab salad 

38 


ontario 

photo — Monastrell grapes are grown on poor 

limestone soil at between 600 and 800 metres.

new 

9922 

Vuela, DO Ribera Del Duero, 

2016 

Tempranillo 

$ 27.33 $ 164.00 

A savoury wine with aromas of black olive 

and meat juices, it is produced from 100% 

Tempranillo grown on old vines in La 

Aguilera in the province of Burgos, in the 

heart of Ribera del Duero. The grapes were 

picked and fermented for 16 to 20 days. The 

wine underwent malolactic fermentation 

and was matured in 300-litre American oak 

barrels for nine months. 

9920 

Finca El Lince, DOP Jumilla, 9921 

2016 

Monastrell, Syrah 

$ 19.17 $ 115.00 

new 

Finca El Lince, Monastrell, 

DOP Jumilla, 2016 

Monastrell 

$ 18.50 $ 111.00 

Mellow ripe fruits, 

cooked crushed fruit 

compote and red 

cherries lead to a soft, 

juicy palate. It is a blend 

of 85% Monastrell and 

15% Syrah. It is soft with 

flavours of red cherries 

and chocolate, and 

some depth. Finca El Lince was aged eight 

to nine months in a combination of American 

and French oak barrels. 

More savoury in 

nature and typical 

of the Monastrell 

grape, it has spicy and 

leather notes over a 

fruity background. 

The palate has some 

firm tannins with earthy fruits on the finish. 

Monastrell grapes from the oldest vineyards 

were grown in the hot, arid conditions of 

Southern Spain where it produces structured 

reds. It was matured for ten months in 

American and French oak barrels. 

2018-2021, 

M8 D9 

2018-2020, 

M8 D9 

2018-2021, 

M7 D9 

Mellow ripe fruits, 

cooked compote 

18°C 

Savoury, spice, leather 18°C 

Meaty, black olive 18°C 

Red cherries, chocolate 

Earthy fruits 

Savoury, treacle 

Bison hanger steak with bacon-onion jam 

Rabbit and sausage paella 

Grilled short ribs with patatas bravas 

photo — The Bastida family Alceño winery in Jumilla 

was founded in 1870. 

— spain 

familia bastida 

39


ontario

Spain 

Last day to order 

September 21, 2018 

Vinoselección 

Three favourites representing three very different 

styles from three regions of Spain. 

“In the vineyard we work 

in a traditional way, with 

cultivation practices that are 

very respectful to the vine 

and the environment.“ 

–Bodega Sommos Garnacha 

photo — Bodega Sommos Garnacha’s vineyards, aged 

35 to 100 years old, are grown on slate soils and steep 

slopes at altitudes exceeding 850 metres. 

— spain 


41

9924 

Val de los Frailes Rosado, 

DO Cigales, 2017, Bodega 

Valdelosfrailes, Grupo 

Matarromera 

Tempranillo, Verdejo 

$ 19.83 $ 119.00 

Intense red fruits, 

raspberries and 

strawberry aromas 

produce a fruity wine. 

Crisp and dry, more 

flavours of strawberry 

and raspberry combine 

with redcurrants and 

a long lingering finish. 

It was produced from a blend of 80% black 

Tempranillo and 20% white Verdejo grapes. 

After a cool fermentation in stainless steel 

tanks, the wine was kept on lees for three 

months. It is produced by Carlos Moro at 

Cubillas de Santa Marta, in the province of 

Valladolid. 

2018-2019, 

M8 D9 

Strawberries, 

raspberries 

6°C 

Strawberry, redcurrant, [00] 

Fried goat cheese and strawberry salad 

42 


ontario 

bottom photo — Bodega Sommos Garnacha winery is 

in Zaragoza’s remote Jiloca River Valley. The stone 

entrance is a nod to the farmer houses in the area. 

top photo — The Valdelosfrailes winery was built in 

1999, adding 50, 75 and 100-year-old vines to the 

Moro family vineyards.

The 2018 ordering season 

ends with Cellar 261. 

Look for Cellar 262 

November 9. 

9925 

new 

Alquez de Sommos Garnacha, 

Viñas Viejas, DO Calatayud, 

2015, Bodega Sommos 

Garnacha 

9926 

Luis Alegre Crianza, Edición 

Limitada, DOCa Rioja, 2015, 

Bodegas Luis Alegre 

Tempranillo, Graciano, 

Garnacha 

Garnacha 

$ 29.83 $ 179.00 

$ 23.67 $ 142.00 

This is a Garnacha with great depth and 

poise, due essentially to the very old bush 

vines planted at an altitude of 950 metres. 

The vineyards are some of the oldest in the 

Sierra de Pardos and Sierra de Santa Cruz 

in Calatayud, in the province of Zaragoza. 

Each old vine produces less than one kilo of 

grapes. Ripe dark fruit aromas with cooked 

cherries, wild strawberries, herbs and 

some menthol notes lead to a succulent 

palate. Alquez de Sommos Garnacha 2015 

is a vibrant wine with lively acidity and a 

long black liquorice finish. It is produced 

by Bodega Sommos Garnacha, based in the 

hamlet of Murero, with just 76 inhabitants. 

Herbal, earthy aromas 

intermingle with dark 

cherries. This is a 

Crianza which matured 

for fourteen months in a 

combination of American 

and French oak. 50% of 

the barrels were new, 

although the oak is in 

no way dominant. It is a 

blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 

5% Garnacha from vineyards with an average 

age of 45 years grown around the town of 

Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa. Luis Alegre 

Crianza 2015 is medium-bodied with fresh 

fruits, black olive flavours, a smooth fine 

texture and vibrant acidity. 

2018-2021, 

M8 D9 

2018-2022, 

M7 D9 

Cooked cherries, 

dark fruits, wild 

strawberries, menthol 

18°C 

Herbal, dark cherries, 

earth 

18°C 

Succulent fruits, black liquorice 

Fresh fruits, black olive 

Herb-crusted beef rib roast with roasted 

fennel and horseradish cream sauce 

Venison chilli 

photo — Bodegas Luis Alegre selects the barrels that, 

due to their characteristics, best fit the type of wines 

they wish to produce 

— spain 


43

Our Programs 

Opimian’s wine programs are designed to help you develop your palate at each stage of your 

journey. It starts with Discovery; once you’ve cultivated your curiosity and explored the wine 

world, you can graduate to Select Plus — the “next level” mixed cases, with both ready to drink 

wines and wines for aging. After you’ve challenged your palate and started your cellar, it’s 

time to start collecting with Founders’ Choice — premium wines available exclusively through 

this program. You do not have to worry about deadlines or ordering procedures since Opimian 

automatically places an order on your behalf with every new Cellar Offering. Your preferred 

payment will be used, then your wine is shipped and you will receive a Pick Up Notice indicating 

where to pick it up. Visit opimian.ca for more information. 

Eager to learn your way around the world of wine or simply enjoy a selection of bottles for 

everyday drinking? The Discovery program has it all. Over the course of the year, members 

enrolled in this program receive one mixed case of six bottles from a featured supplier per cellar 

offering. These wines are all for immediate drinking so you can indulge in one or two the moment 

they get to you. Whether you’re new to Opimian or fancy hopping on an introductory tour of the 

world of wine, we recommend this route. 

$ 109 per cellar offering 

The Discovery supplier for this cellar offering is Familia Bastida. 

Delve into a versatile selection of bottles and explore the four corners of the world of 

wine. This program features both early drinkability and mid-term aging potential bottles so 

you can enjoy some now and lay the others down. Throughout the year, Select Plus members 

receive one mixed case of six bottles per Cellar Offering. These wines may all be enjoyed young 

but will benefit from some maturing time. The ideal program for those who wish to expand 

their horizons and refine their palate one bottle at a time. 


The Select Plus supplier for this cellar offering is Mountain View Winery. 

A collector’s dream. Dedicated to the spirit of our Founders, this program features wines 

that are exclusive to this program and don’t appear on our Cellar Offerings. Made up of six 

bottles of a premium wine with a dedicated back label and a special message with tasting 

notes from the producer, each of the cases you will receive represents some of the very best 

our producers have to offer. These bottles offer long-term aging potential so you might want to 

free up space in that cellar … or start building one. 


The Founders’ Choice supplier for this cellar offering is Cambridge Cellars. 

www.Opimian.ca 

MemberService@Opimian.ca 

#420 - 5165 Sherbrooke West, Montreal QC H4A 1T6 

T: 514-483-5551 or 800-361-9421 F: 514-481-9699

Cellar Offering C261 Ontario

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