Opimian Society – Offering C250

Bordeaux, Bergerac, Beaujolais, & Australia

This year at Opimian has seen the introduction of several new suppliers on each Offering as the scope of the offerings has been expanded. C250 has a few new suppliers as well, but is mainly a showcase for some of our oldest and most reliable partners. I have enjoyed many wines from these suppliers, some literally for decades, and will pass on my experiences and preferences, based on my own tastes of course!

BORDEAUX & BERGERAC

Bordeaux is probably the most popular wine region among Opimians, not to mention much of the world! We have been blessed over the years with many fine selections from this huge region (some 7,000 suppliers) that fly under the radar and offer us great value. Kudos to our negociant suppliers and Jane Masters and her predecessor Ken Christie. This offering has a couple of new suppliers from Bordeaux, including Vignobles Darriet with whom I am not familiar.

Clos Cantenac

Every wine project of Martin Krajewski that I have known of, in South Africa, Australia, or Bordeaux, has always been aimed at excellence. My first experience with this property was the 2007 Clos Cantenac which was nothing but superb. I have been a regular buyer of both the Clos and Petit, and last year purchased the Rosé for the first time. Some day I shall have to open my 3000 ml Clos at a suitable celebratory event! I do not hesitate to recommend any of #9185 L’Exuberance Rosé 2016, #9187 Clos Cantenac 2015, and #9190 Petit Cantenac 2015 – they will not disappoint.

Vintex

Vintex has been a supplier of Opimian longer than I have been a member, and they unfailingly come up with great buys. I wanted to highlight the #9194 Château Haut Maginet Rosé 2016 which I have enjoyed in earlier vintages at many an Opimian event. Vintex seems to be able to find wonderful offerings from Sauternes. I purchased last year’s vintage of #9205 Château Fontebride 2015, and have enjoyed it at a few events as well – recommended, especially in the half-bottle format.

SEMAV

SEMAV has been with Opimian even longer than Vintex, and is our oldest current supplier, dating back almost to the very beginning of the Society. I would have to say their Bordeaux selections have helped make Opimian what it is today. Some of my earliest purchases were the very same (albeit different years) quaffable and simple #9207 Prince Pirate Blanc, #9208 Prince Pirate Rouge, and #9209 Opimian Society Claret.

I have purchased many previous vintages of #9210 Château Vieux Clos St Émilion, but have sampled very little to date (I like my Bordeaux with some age) – I am expecting good things. We visited the winery of #9211 Château Daugay 2014 back in 2012 and it was an impressive setup. The wines we sampled on site were exquisite, and I have subsequently indulged in a couple of vintages. I bought a couple of cases of an earlier vintage of #9213 Château Maillard 2015 and thoroughly enjoyed every bottle – this is a property that has not yet been discovered, in my opinion!

I still have one bottle of the 2003 vintage of #9215 Château Tour St. Bonnet 2009 to savour at some future moment. It is exceptional wine at another secret star property. I would expect the 2009 vintage to shine. It is always a pleasure to see a few well established labels available through Opimian such as #9216 Château Pibran 2014 and #9217 Château Phélan Ségur 2014.

Wine & Co

This is a new supplier but I have had a white vintage of #9223 Château Roquefort through Opimian before. If the red is as good, it will be wonderful. The #9226 9 Marquis de Terme 2014 looks like an exceptional collector’s wine, for those with deep enough pockets.

Château Pique-Sègue

“Peek Squeak” has been with Opimian for quite some time now. We have enjoyed many a bottle from various vintages of #9228 Château Pique-Sègue 2015. The dry version of the Montravel is a wine that I buy almost every year, so I would hope that the #9230 Château Pique-Sègue Montravel Moelleux 2015 semi-sweet version is every bit as good.

BEAUJOLAIS

Beaujolais is one of the more recognized wine region names, but seems to have declined in popularity a little in more recent times, as its fruity and low tannin reds are displaced by heavier wines. Jacques Charlet is a new producer for Opimian from this region, also offering wines from neighbouring wine areas.

Bernard Perrin

Bernard Perrin has developed his relationship with Opimian from a wine producer to a negociant who sources wines for the Society from all over Burgundy, Beaujolais, the Rhône, and other nearby regions.

The #9233 Domaine de Milhomme, Cuvée le Mûrier 2016 is Bernard’s own wine, one of the reasons he became a supplier to Opimian – an excellent example of the regional style. I have also had the #9235 Domaine Dit Barron, Brouilly 2016 from a previous year which definitely reminds one of a simple red Burgundy!

AUSTRALIA – McLAREN VALE/ADELAIDE HILLS

Somehow one of our new Australia suppliers has snuck into this offering! I am not familiar with Sew & Sew Wines, but have recently visited, and thoroughly enjoyed, the McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills regions represented in the wine selections. #9244 Sashiko Chardonnay 2016 and #9245 Sashiko Shiraz both caught my eye.

The Opimian Society is “Canada’s wine club” and offers some 500 wines to 15,000 members across the country each year. All wines are selected by Master of Wine, Jane Masters, and sourced from suppliers from all the major wine regions of the world. Wines are ordered and delivered to members via the liquor boards or equivalent in each provincial and territorial jurisdiction (except Nunavut). Disclosure: I am member of the board of directors of the Opimian Society and former area representative.