Elian Da Ros

History of Domaine Elian Da Ros

The story of Domaine Elian Da Ros is that of a child of the Marmandais who dreamed of becoming a winemaker from the age of 14. On the family lands of Cocumont, his father grew tomatoes, cereals, tobacco and a few vines whose grapes were brought to the village cooperative cellar. After studies in viticulture and oenology, Elian cut his teeth over five years at Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace, where he discovered biodynamics and a different approach to winemaking.

In 1997, convinced of the unique potential of his native terroir, he returned to the family lands and built a modern winery there to craft his own wine. His first vintage was born in 1998, at a time when only two or three winemakers were producing independent wines in Côtes du Marmandais. Daring and demanding, he stepped away from the cooperative beaten path and quickly elevated the estate to the status of a reference in the South-West. Assisted since 2008 by his wife Sandrine, he is today regarded as an icon of the appellation, praised by all the major guides.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Elian Da Ros

The vineyard spans about twenty hectares on hillside plots, in the rolling landscape of the Marmandais, on soils combining gravel and clay-limestone. This geological diversity allows each grape variety to find its preferred plot and lends the wines their depth and complexity. Elian Da Ros gives a prominent place to Abouriou, an indigenous variety he helped rescue from oblivion, which is the true identity signature of the estate.

The vines have been cultivated using organic farming since 2000 and biodynamics since 2002, a choice made out of deep conviction. Planted by massal selection, without any clones, they are tended with extreme care and deliberately low yields, between 15 and 35 hectolitres per hectare. The pruning is short to concentrate the aromas, and 95% of the harvest is done by hand, over a period of approximately three weeks, followed by a strict sorting upon arrival at the winery to retain only the finest berries.

Winemaking at Domaine Elian Da Ros

From the very beginning, Elian Da Ros equipped himself with a modern winery allowing him to vinify each plot and each grape variety separately. Faithful to no rigid method, he listens, observes and tastes the fermenting juices several times a day to decide their fate. Fermentations take place with indigenous yeasts, and the use of sulphur remains sparing, in order to preserve the purity and vitality of the wines.

The ageing, without new wood so as never to mask the fruit, takes place in barrels or concrete tanks, over a period ranging from one to three years depending on the personality sought for each cuvée. This gentle accompaniment yields powerful and spiced reds of excellent length, precise and taut whites, and characterful rosés, all marked by finesse and great sincerity.

The cuvées of Domaine Elian Da Ros

Le Vin est une Fête: the estate's most convivial and accessible cuvée, a blend based on Abouriou, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Driven by fruit, freshness and great drinkability, it is a superb wine for sharing with friends. Partly crafted from grapes sourced from a fellow winemaker friend since 2006, it embodies the generous spirit of the estate.

Abouriou: a tribute cuvée to the indigenous variety that Elian Da Ros brought back to life, vinified as 100% Abouriou. Light and slightly spiced, refreshing and crunchy, it is the ideal companion for summer meals and convivial gatherings.

Le Vignoble d'Elian: a structured red with a fine personality, more powerful than Le Vin est une Fête. The blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah offers spiced and liquorice notes, underpinned by well-ripened dark fruit. A medium-ageing wine, best decanted in its youth or kept for 5 to 7 years.

Chante Coucou: a powerful and spiced age-worthy cuvée that has made the estate's reputation. Benefiting from around 24 months of ageing in barrels, this refined, complex, fresh and superbly crafted wine is ideally enjoyed over 5 to 10 years and surprises enthusiasts who underestimate wines from modest appellations.

Clos Baquey: the estate's flagship great cuvée, born from an exceptional terroir and endowed with very significant ageing potential. Deep and inky in colour, it is a powerful wine where ripe dark fruits mingle with spices and very delicate oak, with round, high-quality tannins. A great bottle crafted for the finest game dishes.

Histoires de Boire: a cuvée often offered in magnum, in a spirit of sharing and conviviality. Fruit-forward and indulgent, it embodies the festive and generous dimension of the estate.

Bouillet: a more confidential cuvée classified as Vin de France, the fruit of Elian Da Ros's creative freedom. An original and sincere wine, reflecting the winemaker's curiosity.

Outre Rouge: a lovely press rosé with a deep colour, endowed with fine breadth and genuine power. Close to a red wine, it is better suited to the dinner table than to the aperitif.

Coucou Blanc: the estate's reference white cuvée, classified as AOP Côtes-du-Marmandais and blending Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris and Sémillon. Precise, taut and elegant, it has all the hallmarks of a great South-West white without being one, perfectly suited to gastronomy.

Sua Ponte: the estate's Fine Wine, presenting more or less marked residual sugars depending on the vintage. Rich and balanced, it completes the range with a soft and refined note, a testament to the diversity of Elian Da Ros's expertise.