Marcillac

France · AOC · Toulouse-Pyrenees

Styles

Natural factors

Vineyard spread across 11 communes in the Aveyron, in the 'Vallon de Marcillac', a depression between the Ségalas plateau and the Causse Comtal. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Soils derived from Permian sandstone, known locally as 'rougiers de Marcillac', with a red-violet colour due to their high iron-oxide content.
Plots on often steep valley slopes; soils are clay-limestone, colluvial limestone scree over rougiers, and soils developed directly on rougiers.
Three climatic influences: oceanic (westerly winds), semi-continental (harsh winters), and Mediterranean (hot summers, ~25 °C in July–August). (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
The vent d'Autan, a warm, dry wind from the south-east, extends its influence into the valley; annual sunshine totals approximately 2,200 hours.

Human factors

The Fer N (Mansois) grape variety has been required since very early on: it shows low susceptibility to disease, notably to grey rot.
Terraces (faisses) were built around 1970 to allow mechanisation of the steep slopes, with 2 rows of vines planted on the flat sections.

Product characteristics

Deep red appearance with violet highlights; nose of red fruits and spice; palate is lively with acidity, tannins present but not aggressive.
With ageing, the red wines develop notes of liquorice and cocoa while retaining their colour and freshness.

Terroir / wine link

The vent d'Autan accelerates budburst, flowering, and véraison, then dries out the harvest by limiting fungal disease pressure.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.