Domaine du Cros Lo Sang del Pais, Marcillac, France

Fresh, peppery, and distinctly mineral, 2024 Domaine du Cros Lo Sang del Païs is a vivid expression of Fer Servadou, known locally in Marcillac as Mansois. The fruit comes from steep hillside vineyards where limestone scree meets the region's iron-rich red, rougher soils. Hand harvesting, measured extraction, and an entirely stainless-steel élevage preserve the grape's wild fruit, spice, and energetic acidity, producing a medium-bodied red with delicate tannins and considerable freshness at just 12.5% ABV.

Product Details:

• Owners & Winemakers: Philippe and Julien Teulier
• Grapes: 100% Fer Servadou (Mansois)
• Farming: Sustainable viticulture
• Certification: HVE Level 3 since 2018
• Soils: Limestone scree on the upper slopes with Permian red, rougier soils below
• Vine Age: Approximately 25 years on average
• Harvest: Hand-harvested
• Maceration: Approximately 15 to 20 days
• Fermentation: Temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks
• Extraction: Pigeage, remontage, and délestage
• Aging: Stainless steel tanks
• Residual Sugar: 2.1 g/L
• ABV: 12.5%

Sensory Description:

Bright red and wild fruit lead the aromatic profile, joined by blackcurrant, floral notes, red pepper, black pepper, and the savory herbal character associated with Fer Servadou. The palate is medium-bodied and delicate in texture, with lively acidity carrying the fruit over fine, gentle tannins. Beneath the fruit lies a distinctly earthy, mineral dimension evocative of stone and iron-rich soil. Licorice and cooling menthol-like notes emerge toward the finish, leaving the wine fresh, spicy, savory, and highly drinkable.

Winemaker's Background:

Domaine du Cros is a multigenerational Teulier family estate in the Vallon de Marcillac. The family's connection to the property reaches back to the nineteenth century, but its modern expansion began in the early 1980s, when Philippe Teulier joined his parents in enlarging what had been a very small vineyard holding. The family acquired and rented established parcels while planting demanding hillside sites, some reaching gradients of approximately 65%. Philippe's son Julien joined the domaine in 2006, becoming the fifth generation and today working alongside his father. The estate has grown to approximately 34 hectares and is the largest independent producer in Marcillac. Its vineyards are dominated by Fer Servadou, locally called Mansois, planted across the appellation's characteristic red rougier soils and limestone-strewn slopes. The Teuliers favor traditional, transparent winemaking and stainless-steel élevage for Lo Sang del Païs, allowing the grape's peppery fruit, freshness, and distinctive mineral character to remain unobscured by oak.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve lightly chilled at approximately 14 to 16 degrees Celsius. Its bright acidity, moderate 12.5% alcohol, peppery fruit, and delicate tannins make it particularly versatile with food. Pair with grilled lamb, sausages, charcuterie, braised beef, lentils, cassoulet, roasted squash, aligot, or Laguiole cheese. It is intended to show well in its youth, when its fruit, spice, and freshness are at their most expressive.