If you aren't yet acquainted with the Côtes du Marmandais, you're in the right place! Elian Da Ros was the one of the first wine makers to leave the area's cooperative in 1997, when he struck out on his own to make wine on his own terms. The appellation now counts 8 producers among its number and has begun to see some real success. Not far from Bordeaux, this region in the South-West is distinguished by its climate, its terroirs and its grape varieties, most notably Abouriou. Our wine maker is the grandson of an Italian migrant who came to France when farms were in need of labourers, and the family gradually bought their own land. Elian's father dedicated himself to vine-growing, which gave Elian a taste for that world from an early age. He formed his desire to make wine soon after and this goal never left him. Trained at Domaine Zind Humbrecht in Alsace, he returned to the family land in 1997. He left the cooperative, buying some new vines and selling others, before building his winery. His wines very quickly made their way to the top of the appellation, flavoursome and characterised by beautiful fruit.

Don’t be surprised by this wine’s light red colour, this shade is due to the slow and gentle fermentation the cuvée underwent in oak barrels. Made up of 85% Abouriou, the local grape variety, this cuvée is topped up with 5% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Syrah. In the vines, Elian Da Ros works in an environmentally-friendly way, with his domain having converted to organic production in 2000, then to biodynamics in 2002. After three weeks of harvesting, the grapes are sorted again in the winery. Usually, each grape variety is vinified separately in order to get the best from each before blending. The wine is matured for 15 months on lees. This wine has an intriguing colour, and its tasting profile is fruity and indulgent.