Julia Harding from Jancis Robinson reviews Domaine des Marrans in the article "Beaujolais current releases – mostly 2018 and 2019"
Dom des Marrans, Aux Côtes 2018 Chiroubles
16.5 Points - 13%, Drink 2020 – 2026
“Lieu-dit of Aux Côtes. 10,000 vines/ha, 40 hl/ha; very stony granite soils, south-facing, advanced sustainable agriculture. Vines 50 years old. Whole-cluster semi-carbonic maceration for 12 days; natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts, gentle extraction. Aged for 12 months in oak vats. Mid crimson. Complex aroma that has not only dark-red fruit and dusty/mineral notes but also a light suggestion of oak spice. Gently chewy texture, cool and fresh in that dark-red fruit. Lively and elegant at the same time. Balanced and complete.” - Julia Harding
Dom des Marrans, Les Marrans 2018 Fleurie
16.5 Points - 13%, Drink 2022 – 2028
“45-year-old vines. Lieu-dit of Les Marrans, goblet-pruned, decomposed pink granite soils, 45 hl/ha. Manual harvests, whole-bunch semi-carbonic maceration for 13 days, fermentation with native yeasts. Aged for 12 months in oak casks.
Mid greyish crimson. Very pretty in a clearly stemmy/herbal style, but really scented with lovely red fruits. Firmer and more chewy on the palate than I expected but still all in balance. Needs a little more time” - Julia Harding
Dom des Marrans, Lieu-dit Champagne 2018 Fleurie
16.5+ Points - 13%, Drink 2022 – 2028
“50-year-old vines in the lieu-dit of Champagne, goblet-pruned, 10,000 vines/ha. Very stony pink granite soil, east-facing. Whole-cluster semi-carbonic maceration for 15 days; fermentation with native yeasts, gentle extraction. Aged for 12 months in oak vats.Mid crimson. Lovely fragrance that is utterly Fleurie – scented, gently herbal/stemmy and such pretty red fruit. Evanescent. On the palate, a little firmer and drier than I expected but the harmony is there, it just needs a little longer in bottle to relax.” - Michael Schmidt