Opimian Society – Offering C259

Bordeaux, Bergerac, Beaujolais, & Australia

The region of Bordeaux is synonymous with wonderful wine! Although it can be quite expensive for the famous labels, its 7,000 wine producers cover a wide range of values and prices in regional output that dwarfs most wine-producing countries. Each year Opimian tries to assemble value selections from this vast region from both long-time and new suppliers. Below I will list some of my favourites from past vintages which are offered again this year, as well as a few other that have caught my eye – from Bordeaux and the other regions in this offering.

Bordeaux

Vignobles Darriet

I am not familiar with the producer, but I had the opportunity to try the #9746 Château de Roquette Bordeaux Blanc and #9745 Château de Roquette Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon at the recent Opimian Society Hall of Fame dinner in Regina – both proved to be good value, anyday Bordeaux sippers. #9751 Château Moutin Red was offered in a local chapter tasting and showed good fruit and structure – more than just a sipper!

Vintex

Vintex is one of those long time suppliers who always come through, especially if you are interested in Sauternes! I am familiar with #9755 Château Haut-Maginet Rouge which is another solid claret you can enjoy any time. #9759 Château Fontebride returns as another high value sweet wine that flies under the radar.

Wine and Co.

I have not tried any of the wines from this relatively recent Opimian supplier, but #9762 Château les Tuileries caught my eye as the second label of Château Roquefort. We visited the chateau in 2012 and its wines have been offered through Opimian wine for several years.

SEMAV

The supplier with the longest relationship with Opimian, and centuries-old roots in Bordeaux, they have always managed to show us some special selections over the years – perhaps a winery belonging to and adjacent to a famous label but otherwise little known, or a special producer yet to be discovered by the main wine media.

The #9767 Prince Pirate Blanc, #9768 Prince Pirate Rouge, and #9769 Opimian Claret have been offered since before I first joined Opimian. They are designed for everyday enjoyment of simple Bordeaux, at a good price point and value. I have been buying #9771 Château Vieux Clos St-Emilion and #9772 Château Daugay fairly regularly over the last half dozen years – these are well worth considering. The #9773 Les Allées de Cantemerle is a name you might recognize, and I have enjoyed this wine whenever I have had the opportunity. The offering suggests that #9776 Château La Pointe is on an upswing in its quality and I must agree, even at the price offered.

Clos Cantenac

I have enjoyed the wines of Martin Krajewski wherever he has worked, in Bordeaux, South Africa, and Australia, and Clos Cantenac is perhaps his best example. I have been buying various vintages and sizes of all three wines – #9777 Clos Cantenac, #9780 Petit Cantenac, and #9783 L’Exuberance Rosé du Clos Cantenac – since he first purchased the property. Highly recommended!

Bergerac

Château Pique-Sègue

We also visited this chateau for a brilliant lunch and tasting back in 2012. The reds are quite good, but my favourite and regular purchase is #9784 Château Pique-Sègue, AOC Montravel – wonderful fruit expression and juicy acidity.

Beaujolais

Bernard Perrin

Bernard Perrin is both a producer and a négociant for Opimian in Beaujolais, the Rhône and southern France, and Burgundy. #9789 Domaine de Milhomme is one of Bernard’s own wines, and is an excellent example of what good Beaujolais should achieve.

Jacques Charlet

This is a new producer for me. I have always like the weightier Crus from this region, so #9798 Les Philibons, Côte de Granit, AOP Moulin-à-Vent would be my first choice for a test run.

Australia

Sew & Sew Wines

Although we have offered this producer a couple of times now, I haven’t had a chance to purchase any wines yet – despite the fact they all sould delicious! Perhaps in this offering I would favour the #9801 Sashiko Shiraz, and #9802 Contour Chardionnay.

Penley Estate

Coonawarra is a famous Australian wine region, so it is good to have a (new) representative supplier. The #9806 Casablanca Vineyard Cabernet Merlot would be my pick from this selection.

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 a former member of the board of directors of the Opimian Society and former area representative.