Marcillac Lo Sang de Païs 2009 – Domaine du Cros, Philippe Teulier – Alc.12.5%, made 100% from the indigenous variety Mansois (alias Fer Servadou) and raised in stainless steel tanks. This is the first Marcillac on which I have written a TN, if not the first which has passed my lips. I hope that it will not be the last. It has the same sort of youthful charm as Beaujolais whilst tasting very different. Medium bodied, tangy and savoury showing exuberant red fruit with touches of ivy, fine steel and pepper, lively acidity and grip towards the finish, it went down so easily that we were surprised that the bottle was so quickly emptied. Highly recommended like Beaujolais, light Chinon and Bourgueil, Dolcetto, etc. as a quaffing wine; 15.5/20+++.
Marcillac is an obscure appellation considered to be in the French South West wine area though lying at its North Eastern extremity in the rugged Massif Central near the town of Rodez. Like many of the South Western appellations it uses mainly indigenous varieties although some Bordeaux varieties are allowed. On the showing of this bottle their inclusion is not necessary or desirable. Here is a link to a map which helps to locate Marcillac http://www.france-sudouest.com/decouverte-carte.php .
