Historically, the region around Marmande has been more famous for tomatoes than for wine, but Elian Da Ros might change all that. Returning to his native town of Cocumont in 1998, Elian constructed a simple winery and took the daring step of being the first winemaker to produce and bottle his own wine under the Côtes du Marmandais AOP. Crafting superb, biodynamic wines from Bordeaux varieties as well as the local Abouriou, Elian is one of those French vignerons that is universally respected by just about every other vigneron you talk with, regardless of their views on agriculture and winemaking. Certified in organic farming since 2000, and biodynamic since 2002.

Abouriou is a rare variety found primarily in the Côtes du Marmandais, but also a tiny bit in the western Loire Valley. Elian writes, "I chose semi-carbonic maceration as my way of expressing this wine, but I didn’t want to hide the terroir or the character of the grape. Abouriou is a fruity wine with a touch of spice wrapped up in soft and supple tannins. It’s a wine from the Southwest vinified in a unique way.

Organic treatment such as Trace element, essential oils as well as infusion of horsetail and nettle manure. Natural compost. Cover crop between the row. Manual harvest. Organic & biodynamic certification.

The unstemmed harvest undergoes Semi-carbonic maceration and the vatting lasts 10 days. Ageing during 15 months in large old “foudres” and neutral barrels. Bottling mid-may 2020 after a light filtration.

The carbonic maceration delivers a joyful and fruit forward version of the grape. Here the tannins are surprisingly soft and deliver delicious spicy notes. You will find aromas of blackcurrant nicely combined with menthol notes and a touch of vanilla.

Organic. Biodynamic. Low sulfites. Natural wine.