2017 Elian Da Ros Côtes du Marmandais "Clos Baquey" Rouge, South West, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

Clos Baquey is a blend of Cabernet Franc (35%), Merlot (35%), Abouriou (15%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%), from a single plot facing south. The Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are entirely destemmed and vinified in open concrete vats with light punching down and maceration lasting 2 to 3 weeks. The Abouriou is vatted in whole bunches but not vinified by carbonic maceration. Each grape variety is vinified and then aged separately. The aging is carried out in pieces for 22 months, the wine is transferred to concrete vats for 12 months, followed by additional aging in the bottle for 12 months.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Elian Da Ros is beloved in Marmandais for displaying elegance and finesse while working with grape varieties famous for masculinity and strength. Elian has taken a more Burgundian approach in his winemaking and a gentle approach in his vineyards. Before creating his domaine and becoming the first vigneron in the Côtes du Marmandais in 1998, Elian Da Ros spent five years working with Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace. He returned to the Côtes du Marmandais with the gift of 5 hectares of vines passed on to him by his father. Like the rest of the Marmandais, Elian’s father sold all his fruit to local co-ops. Elian decided it was time for a change. He began bottling his family’s wines under his name. It was at this time that Elian Da Ros became the pioneer of the Marmandais. Elian and Sandrine now farm 22 hectares biodynamically. Their vineyards are immaculate.