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The <strong>Wine</strong> <strong>Review</strong> as been designed as your guide for determining the best time to drink your Opimian wines.<br />
<strong>Wine</strong>s that have yet to reach their peak are listed in chronological order, ending with the most recently offered.<br />
Numerical values, representing the Maturity and Drinkability, are given to each wine, starting with wines from sturdy<br />
regions (or big vintages) with an assessment of around 5. Smaller wines intended for early drinking invariably are<br />
offered under higher numbers, up to 10. One of the purposes of this review is to bring numbers upwards towards the<br />
point where it is felt that the wines have become entirely mature and/or perfectly drinkable.<br />
What is Maturity & Drinkability?<br />
<strong>Wine</strong> <strong>Review</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
The “M” represents the taster’s opinion of the wine when it is first tasted. It is solely intended to give an<br />
indication of the wine’s degree of maturity. 1 - 5 indicate a wine to lay down; 6 - 10 indicate the level of its<br />
maturity.<br />
The “D” represents the drinkability of the wine, the softness in the mouth, the balance of the components,<br />
the decline in the sharpness of acidity and tannin. 1 - 5 indicate a wine needs time; 6 - 10 indicate the wine’s<br />
progress towards the full maturity of the bouquet and flavours.<br />
As a general rule, wines with a M7 D7 are ready to start drinking. <strong>Wine</strong>s with lesser M & D numbers may be opened<br />
for sampling or for tracking the wine’s development towards it best period for enjoyment.<br />
Remember – err on the side of youth. It is better to consume your wines too young than to find a wine has<br />
deteriorated after years of waiting.<br />
<strong>Wine</strong>s that have reached their peak do not appear on this <strong>Wine</strong> <strong>Review</strong>.<br />
Members can access the M & D for all of their wines in their personal “<strong>Wine</strong> File” at www.opim.ca<br />
This review has been compiled for the past several years by Kenneth Christie, a Master of <strong>Wine</strong> based in Bristol, U.K.<br />
Kenneth has been the official consultant to Opimian since its inception. He feels that, after such a long period, he has<br />
acquired some knowledge of the Canadian palate, which has become increasingly demanding and knowledgeable<br />
over the years.<br />
Kenneth is unable to taste all wines shipped in past Cellar Offerings as no stock remains; however, where wines can<br />
be tasted from samples held for quality assurance purposes, they are tasted and their condition is applied, not only<br />
to that wine, but others from the same suppliers, regions or vintages. This review, started in early December, includes<br />
more than 500 bottles of wine, all tasted in the northern light of Ken’s kitchen. Therefore, the notes are largely<br />
contemporaneous and, we hope, useful to members for reference purposes.<br />
All opinions given in this review are Kenneth Christie’s; he does not suggest that all members will agree with<br />
everything written and, to further develop the accuracy of this review, welcomes comments from members.
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