Opimian Society – Offering C260

Burgundy, Loire, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence

This offering covers a lot of French territory, including Languedoc-Roussillon where you will find some of Opimian’s best value wines. Below I review some of the wines I have had from previous vintages – based on my own wine preferences of course.

Provence

Château Vignelaure

I visited Château Vignelaure (pictured above) in 2014 and as Opimian members we were treated to a tour and a wonderful tasting – they are a first class operation. I have been buying various wines from them for many years – we are still drinking the 2003 vintage of #9870 Château Vignelaure and it is amazing! All wines are recommended.

Burgundy

Domaine Billard Père et Fils

Wines from Burgundy tend to be quite pricey, so stepping just outside the famous appellations can yield some good value purchases – such as Domaine Billard. It’s been a few years now, but their #9808 La Justice and #9810 Saint-Romain, La Combe Bazin were proof of the value concept. This year’s #9814 Pommard looks very attractive too.

Bernard Perrin

#9815 Saint-Bris Sauvignon was a delight to discover many years ago, I buy it every two or three years now. Jane’s comment on #9818 Domaine Bonnardot has me thinking about that one.

Maison Foucher Lebrun

One of my first experiences with Burgundy was an AOC Mercurey, so #9831 Clos du Roy caught me eye, and the description certainly matches my taste for Pinot Noir. These two wines, however, are new to me.

Loire

Maison Foucher Lebrun

I missed the Loire offering last year – the first Loire listings in a few years – so this is my first experience with this supplier. I was a big fan of our previous supplier’s equivalent of #9821 Touraine Sauvignon, so this wine is a possible on my order. The same can be said for #9826 Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine!

Languedoc-Roussillon

Once famous as the region producing a lake of sub-par wine, it is now home to many quality producers taking advantage of the region’s advantages for grape growing and inexpensive wine production. There are many bargains to be found here, so it is surprising that the NLC (and perhaps other liquor boards) carry few labels from this region.

Château Canet

I’ve enjoyed a wide selection of Canet wines ever since they joined the Opimian family. The Mauzac variety in #9833 Fines Bulles de Canet is new to me, and is almost enough right there for me to include in my order! I fondly remember a Special Oak Reserve Chardonnay which suggests either #9838 Victoria Chardonnay and #9840 Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon as likely choices.

I first tasted the Picpoul de Pinet variety from this supplier and therefore recommend #9839 Vignobles Canet. The highlights from this supplier remain the AOP Minervois offerings: #9841 Château Canet Blanc, #9842 Château Canet Rouge, #9843 Canet Family Réserve, and #9844 Les Evangiles.

LGI Wines

#9846 Lagarde Blanc and #9847 Lagarde Rouge are simply good value everyday sippers. An even better sipper is the surprisingly tasty #9848 Tortoise Creek Carignan “Vieilles Vignes” which I buy every year.

Domaine Jones

Although Domaine Jones has been with Opimian for a few years now (and I have heard good things), I have not purchased any of her wines before. But when you put “Vieille Vignes” on a label, such as #9853 Fitou, you get my attention – the description is enticing!

BLB Vignobles

Domaine de la Jasse is a new supplier for me. They are providing the Founder’s Choice selection in this offering, so I will get a chance to see what they can do.

Paul Sapin

Paul Sapin has been with Opimian for longer than I have, and they never fail to deliver. Any of their wines can be recommended, but for me the highlights are #9860 Domaine Blomac Chardonnay, and some of the Domaine Peirière wines: #9863 Sauvignon Réserve, #9864 Viognier Réserve, #9865 Syrah Réserve, and #9867 Platinum Chardonnay.

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.