Domaine du Cros - Marcillac Cuvée Vieilles Vignes 2022

Philippe Teulier has successfully expanded the family estate. When he started out in 1984, he began with one hectare. Over time and with great patience, he gradually managed to buy plots from his neighbors—some cultivated, others fallow—and restored them to health, eventually expanding to 60 hectares of land today, including 33 hectares of vineyards, most of which are terraced and offer a splendid view of the surrounding countryside. The red color of the soil creates a striking contrast with the green of the vegetation, ranging from limestone to red sandstone. As for the winery—initially built to process grapes from 2 hectares—it has followed the vineyard’s example and is now organized into a cascade of levels descending the hillside, blending seamlessly into the natural landscape. Inside, everything flows naturally by gravity. Philippe and his son Julien take a hands-off approach, preferring to encourage rather than intervene—a philosophy that has proven highly successful. Their lovely lineup is an ode to Fer Servadou, the local grape variety, also known as Mansois in Aveyron or Braucol in Gaillac.

True to form, the estate has produced a top-tier Fer-Servadou with a beautifully intense color and an open, complex nose of licorice, tobacco, black fruits, and bell pepper, followed by notes of forest floor and humus. A nuanced expression that carries through to a full-bodied, robust, and rich palate, supported by a subtle tension and firm tannins that still need to mellow. This is one to cell.

When it was founded in 1984, this iconic Marcillac AOC estate had only one hectare of vineyards and produced about 4,000 bottles per year; it now covers 33 hectares. The estate is run by Philippe Teulier, who has been assisted by his son Julien since 2006. A sure bet.

Philippe Teulier is something of the “boss” of Marcillac. As the driving force behind the appellation, he inspires the Aveyron producers who take pride in this unique grape variety, the Mansois (or Fer Servadou). Julien, his son, runs the estate alongside him. The smoothness of their blends stems from a perfect mastery of the unique qualities of their vineyard, terraced in the Marcillac valley—a terroir often likened to a mountainous region due to its hot days and cool autumn nights. Their three main cuvées do justice to all the wines of the Southwest.