Elian Da Ros, Cotes du Marmandais, Clos Baquey 2015

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.

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.

89 Points CellarTracker Member

I am a fan of the wines of Elian da Ros and this is his top cuvée. However I don't think I've ever previously brought to table a bottle of it less than 10 years old and at present this seems like unfinished business compared with some of its predecessors. Its best feature was its bouquet on the nose; rich red fruit, fragrant and complex. By comparison the medium/full palate seemed less seamless and less eloquent. The same rich fruit was present with a savoury touch together with a certain earthiness and fresh acidity leading at this stage to a firmer and more tannic finish than I recall from previous vintages and a touch of dry caramel which may come from the élevage. I expect that this will come together further down the line and sing superbly as the nose does already. Good right now. 7/27/2021