Placeholder Image

Domain Élian da Ros, Clos Baquey

Other, France 2011 (750mL)
$42.00
/
Your cart is empty.
  • In stock, ready to ship
  • Inventory on the way
Fruit
Earth
Body
Tannin
Acid
Alcohol

Domain Élian da Ros, Clos Baquey


The Elian Da Ros estate is located in the somewhat unheard of appellation of the Côtes du Marmandais. Here, Bordeaux style blends harken to the great Right Bank wines we all love so dearly, and yet, Elian achieves a unique signature style that is unparalleled in Bordeaux. Located just a short drive southeast of Bordeaux, the Côtes du Marmandais has always sort of existed in its shadow, that is until Elian arrived on the scene. After spending five years of his career at the world famous Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace, Elian returned to his home in the Côtes du Marmandais in 1998. At this time, his father had been diagnosed with leukemia, which the family believed to be partially caused by the chemicals that were used to grow the family’s vines. Shortly after Elian’s father passed away, he decided to revamp the vineyards, eradicate all use of harsh chemicals, pesticides and herbicides, and make the switch to farming strictly organically and biodynamically. After doing this, the fruit was so spectacular that he couldn't bare to keep selling the grapes to local co-ops—as the family had done for so many years. Elian began making wine from his family’s estate vineyards and ever since, the Côtes du Marmandais has never been the same. He has brought reputation and quality to Côtes du Marmandais wines, and is a true pioneer of the region. I am pleased to say that his wines are some of the purest expressions of clay and limestone soils that I have ever tasted. The Clos Baquey is considered his Grand Cuvee of sorts and is sourced from a unique small parcel. To keep the Clos Baquey terroir so pure, Elian de-stems the grapes (the Arborieu is fermented whole cluster) and then ferments them separately in cement tanks with strictly native yeasts. He then transfers the wine to age for roughly 2 years in barrels, then the lots are finally combined for 6 months before being bottled—unfined and unfiltered. The finished wine is a blend of mostly Cabernet Franc (35%) and Merlot (35%), followed by Abouriou and Cabernet Sauvignon (both at 15%). The 2011 Clos Baquey is certainly a nod to the style of great wines from Bordeaux, though in my opinion, is one of the most incredible examples of the untapped potential of other appellations in Southwest France.

The 2011 Clos Baquey is mesmerizing in the glass with its opaque dark ruby core that moves to light ruby and orange reflections on the rim—showing just a touch of age. The nose is pure and floral, driven by notes of red currant, fresh plums, red raspberries, dried violets, wild herbs, tobacco, forest floor and a touch of mushroom. The palate is lusciously medium plus in body with layers upon layers of beautiful fruits and a very fine, crushed-clay minerality. The fruit flavors mimic the nose with additional layers of cacao nibs and subtle vanilla, with tobacco and crushed clay driving the intensely long finish. The wine does need a lot of air to really show at its best, so be patient and decant it for at least an hour before serving in large Bordeaux stems, just above cellar temperature, then hold on for the ride. For a classic pairing, serve this wine with a classic French Cassoulet; this recipe is a great example to follow and is one of the most traditional dishes made in the south of France.
Placeholder Image
Country
France
Region
Other
Sub-Region
FranceCôtes du Marmandais AOC
Soil
Clay, Limestone and Pebbles
Farming
Organic
Blend
35% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Abouriou
Alcohol
13.0
OAK
Neutral

France

Bourgogne

Beaujolais

Enjoying the greatest wines of Beaujolais starts, as it usually does, with the lay of the land. In Beaujolais, 10 localities have been given their own AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) designation. They are: Saint Amour; Juliénas; Chénas; Moulin-à Vent; Fleurie; Chiroubles; Morgon; Régnié; Côte de Brouilly; and Brouilly.

Southwestern France

Bordeaux

Bordeaux surrounds two rivers, the Dordogne and Garonne, which intersect north of the city of Bordeaux to form the Gironde Estuary, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The region is at the 45th parallel (California’s Napa Valley is at the38th), with a mild, Atlantic-influenced climate enabling the maturation of late-ripening varieties.

Central France

Loire Valley

The Loire is France’s longest river (634 miles), originating in the southerly Cévennes Mountains, flowing north towards Paris, then curving westward and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantes. The Loire and its tributaries cover a huge swath of central France, with most of the wine appellations on an east-west stretch at47 degrees north (the same latitude as Burgundy).

Northeastern France

Alsace

Alsace, in Northeastern France, is one of the most geologically diverse wine regions in the world, with vineyards running from the foothills of theVosges Mountains down to the Rhine River Valley below.

Others We Love