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Date November 21, 2014 
Title Marvellous Minervois ... Cabernet Sauvignon! 
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A walk along the Canal du Midi

http://www.concourscabernets.com/images/medailles/result_2.pngHere is something new and really quite delicious from Frank Léonor and his Les Cuvées du Firmament winery nestled in the heart of the Minervois wine region of southern France ... a pure Cabernet Sauvignon for only $17 the bottle! The 2012 Cuvée Horizon Cabernet Sauvignon is a delightful quaffing red that has proudly been festooned with a gold medal at the Concours International des Cabernets 2014. While it is selling briskly on the international markets, Frank has reserved a pallet of 100 six-bottle cases for our wine club Members. I think you are really going to enjoy this marvellous little sipper. Last day to order – Friday, December 5th.

The Down-to-Earth Wines of Les Cuvées du Firmament

To give you some background on the winery, here is a reprint from our first offering of Frank’s wines back in February of 2007.

 Frank and Oncle André Léonor at Vinisud – 2006
It was mid-October, 2006 and we were somewhere deep in the Minervois wine region between Carcassonne and Béziers, worried that we were going to be late for our 10:30 AM appointment with Frank Léonor of Les Cuvées du Firmament. ‘Emma’ (our global positioning system - so named because of “her” lovely English accent that reminded us of Emma Peel on the TV show ‘The Avengers’) was doing her best to guide us through the labyrinth of country roadways and roundabouts. While she hadn’t let us down before, we were doubtful this time as we climbed higher and higher on roads best described as lanes and then vineyard paths.

Frank Léonor and Hélène, clutching her bottle! 
We were most anxious to get there. We had first sampled the wines of Famille Léonor at trade shows in Cannes and Montpellier last February (2006) and had been most favourably impressed. We thirstily recalled the big, expressive red wines made the old-fashioned way. And, we were looking forward to seeing Frank again. Frank’s family acquired the vineyard, house and outbuildings, which had been deserted for years, in 1956. Since then they have patiently rebuilt and restored the buildings and property which now comprises almost 75 acres of prime vineyards. Even though he grew up in a winemaking family, Frank chose a career in academia, becoming a teacher in Bordeaux. But the call of the Minervois and the allure of creating something very special proved irresistible. So, a couple of years ago Frank returned to the family estate near the village of Siran (and only a few kilometres from Minerve, the capital of the Cathars) in the best part of the Minervois, the northern zone of Minervois-la-Livinière to rejoin his mother and uncles André and Antoine. Oncle André is an expert stonemason and his handiwork can be seen throughout the estate. Among Oncle Antoine’s many talents is his ability to speak the ancient language of Oc.

Antoine, Marie Alice and André
We arrived at the Léonor house right on the dot of 10:30. Good old Emma. It had started to drizzle and two very serious looking dogs barked what only an optimist could call a welcome. Madame Léonor (Marie Alice) came to our rescue by shooing them away with a broom and then showed us into their dining room where several bottles stood ready for our assault. Franck soon joined us and as he chatted with Hélène, I did what I do best … I tasted (one must always strive for the most efficient division of labour). All that conversation can make a girl mighty hungry and, in the most polite way possible, my cohort asked if she might have a bit of bread to fend off certain starvation. Somehow, from the bowels of the house Madame Léonor heard her and within moments a marvellous spread of cheeses, meats and country pâtés appeared. Man, did it ever go well with the wines and vice versa.

 Le Firmament
Their vineyard is situated on a hillside of clay and chalky soil that enjoys more than three hundred days of sunshine each year (we were there on one of the other sixty-five days – it poured as we tasted, but the vineyards have great drainage as can be seen in the second picture taken afterwards) and a most marvellous view. The old vines are bathed in the glorious scents of the surrounding garrigue (wild asparagus, thyme, rosemary, maritime pines and evergreen oaks). The grape varieties are typical of great Languedoc wines: Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault (note: no mention of Cabernet Sauvignon back then). The Léonors do everything the old fashioned way when it comes to tending the vines and making the wines. Yields are kept low through disbudding and summer thinning (vendange en vert), harvesting is done completely by hand, the grapes are destemmed, traditional vinification methods are followed and the premium wines are partly aged in French oak for twelve to fifteen months. Incidentally, “Firmament” means the arch or vault of the skies – alluding to the over-reaching, mystical character of these fine wines. 


2012 Cuvée Horizon Cabernet Sauvignon – 13.5% Alc./Vol.                                   $17/$102 case of 6
This little charmer is of course made from 100% hand-picked Cabernet Sauvignon. The vines are less than ten years old, but are planted on first rate property near the Léonor’s house. The wine is a deep ruby red and offers up tantalising aromas of red fruit, a trace of new leather, a bit of tar and autumn smoke and hints of exotic spices. It is medium bodied and not particularly complex – somewhat one dimensional but it becomes more interesting after a little while in the glass. In the mouth it is smooth, round and quite pleasant. This won’t to be confused with grand Bordeaux or senses-shocking Aussie Cab. But, it is lovely, honest stuff to wash down winter fare such as roasted meats, barbequed offerings, casserole dishes and stews. At just $17 the bottle, it is a very, very good value. Get your well-priced winter red now.


The LCBO is the only entity authorized to sell beverage alcohol in Ontario. Arthur Sellers & Company and Arthur’s Cellar Wine Club do not sell or markup beverage alcohol, but rather, arrange for customers to purchase it from the LCBO. Our prices indicated above and on our website include the LCBO sale price plus a fee to cover the cost of sourcing, handling and marketing the wine. The LCBO’s sale prices are available on request.

If you know any fanciers of well-priced Cab, we would really appreciate it if you would pass this note on to them.

Many thanks and cheers!

Jim, Hélène and Kate
www.arthursellers.com
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
www.ofrance.ca 
hbuisson@ofrance.ca 
kwalker@arthursellers.com