We are delighted to bring back the wonderful Malbec (called Auxerrois in Cahors) wines from Château Famaey, and this time they come with glowing reviews by Kim Marcus of the Wine Spectator (Dec. 31, 2008 - Jan.15, 2009 edition). Luc Luyckx, widely known as ‘Lucky Luc’ and his partner Marc Van Antwerpen, along with Luc’s son Maarten have been producing award-winning, lovingly produced AOC Cahors wines since 2000. Like all of our wineries, Château Famaey fully respects nature and eschews chemical intervention. They meticulously care for their vineyards and spare nothing in the winemaking process. I guess that is why they earn so many awards and receive so much recognition. Read all about Château Famaey and their black wines from Cahors in the August 2007 edition of ‘Selections’.

We are bringing back the 2003 Cuvée Élevé en Fût du Chêne and the 2003 Cuvée ‘X’ while introducing a new vintage of the Cuvée Tradition, the 2005. Each comes in a 12 bottle case (don’t forget our ‘Share a Case’ feature if twelve bottles are too many). We plan to take your orders for these well-balanced, vigorous and agreeable reds to the LCBO on Thursday, February 12. 

	2005 Cuvée Tradition - (12.5% Alc. By Vol.)                                                                      $18 per bottle; $216 per case of 12 This lovely wine is made from 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot. It comes from vines between 25 and 54 years of age and the yield is about 55 hectolitres per hectare. There is no oak on this wine. It is a deep ruby colour and on the nose it possesses a definite note of raspberries complemented by an array of spices and a hint of liquorice. In the mouth it is surprisingly powerful at the outset, expressing black currants, red fruit and leather and finishes nicely with tongue-coating, soft tannins. This medium-bodied, surprisingly elegant wine is drinking beautifully right now and will keep for three or four years. It is an ideal companion for cold cuts, roasted chicken and lightly seasoned pasta dishes. Here is what the Wine Spectator said: Offers spicy aromas, with intense flavours of dark plum, mineral, red current and spice. The crisp finish features dark chocolate notes. Drink now through 2013. Rating: 88/100. Order some of this little beauty now.
	2003 Cuvée Élevé en Fût du Chêne - (13.0% Alc. By Vol.)                                                $25 per bottle; $300 per case of 12 This powerful, very full-bodied wine is made from 80% Malbec, 15% Merlot and 5% Tannat. All of the grapes were hand harvested, selected according to variety, quality, age and vine location. The vines were between 22 and 52 years old and the yield was restricted to only 21 hectolitres per hectare. Traditional maceration lasted between fourteen and eighteen days and the wine was aged in oak for fourteen months (30% new and 70% one year old oak from Allier in central France). This really is an almost black wine with glints of mahogany. On the nose there is a profusion of spices including pepper along with notes of dark fruits (black currents and cherries) along with a persistent hint of liquorice. The oak is very subtle. The aromas carry on in the mouth with the addition of stewed prunes and sweet vanilla. It is a round, chewy, well-structured and complex wine possessing very fine tannins. It is a very, very good wine that needs to be decanted an hour or more before consuming. It is drinking very nicely now and will age gracefully for at least another decade. Drink it with stews, game, roasts and most cheeses. The Wine Spectator said: A taut, muscular red, with a dense, minerally accent to the powerful red and dark fruit flavours. The finish offers very pure-tasting spice notes, with plenty of tannins. Best from 2009 through 2013. Rating: 89/100. Select a case or two of this great winter wine for your cellar.
	2003 Cuvée ‘X’ - (13.0% Alc. By Vol.)                                                                                $42 per bottle; $504 per case of 12 X really does mark the spot! This is what Cahors is all about. Cuvée X is made from 95% Malbec and 5% Tannat, all carefully selected by hand from 22 to 52 year old vines and the yield is only 20 hectolitres per hectare. The juice is macerated for sixteen to twenty days and is aged in completely new oak for eighteen months. The wine is bottled unfiltered. Cuvée X is an inky black wine with slight reflections of rose. The nose is very complex, very aromatic with gobs of black and red berries, prunes, cedar, tar and old leather which persist in the mouth with added spices and vanilla. It is a huge, well-balanced wine with just the right combination of powerful fruit and oak. It is drinking surprisingly well now, but I suspect it will become even more pleasing as it evolves over the next two decades. Underscored in my tasting notes are the words delightful and super. Cuvée X really needs to be decanted, well before consuming. It will go wonderfully with roasted lamb, hearty stews, confit de canard, cassoulet and game. The Wine Spectator said: A modern, spicy style, with dark plum and red cherry notes that are accented by dark chocolate, smoke and spice. Drink now through 2013. Rating: 88/100.  Acquire some of the rare, delicious Cuvée X for your cellar.

The above prices include a one dollar handling fee.

Know anybody who would enjoy some marvellous Cahors wines? If you do, please pass this bulletin on to them. We continue to look for new Members for Arthur's Cellar Wine club and greatly appreciate your referrals.

Many thanks and cheers!

Jim and Hélène
jaswalker@arthursellers.com
hbuisson@arthursellers.com
www.arthursellers.com