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.

Domaine Elian Da Ros is located in the commune of Cocumont, a word that means “cuckoo hill” in the local dialect. This is a sloping village with lots of places for cuckoos to nest, hence its name. This is also undoubtedly what Elian was thinking of when he named this cuvée, adding a poetic air to a cellaring wine that endures particularly well on the palate. This cuvée is at once structured and complex, with spiced and fruity aromas that blend deliciously. Made mainly of Merlot and completed with the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Syrah. The Merlot and Cabernet grapes are destemmed. Maceration takes 2-3 weeks. After this, the Merlot grapes are matured in demi-muids, with the Malbec and Syrah aged together. The Cabernet Sauvignon is matured totally separately for 24 months. Once blended, the wine is neither fined nor filtered.