Marcillac is not a famous wine destination, and it never has been. Marcillac is a mining town, close to several rich coal deposits in the upper reaches of the Massif Central. In the 18th and 19th century, miners flocked to the area and filled up local taverns and pubs. The local wine trade boomed, and the Fer Servadou grape became the standard shift drink. Domaine du Cros names their cuvee “blood of the earth”, a name that takes extra resonance with this context. The nose gives notes of potting soil, pepper, oregano, black cherry and tobacco. The palate offers black cherry, pepper, and tarry, iron-struck earth, robust tannins and just enough acidity to keep the fruit fresh. The coal mines mostly closed in the 1960s and most of the people moved to Toulouse or Montpellier looking for better work, but a few remained, just enough to preserve this old school and solidly blue collar wine region. Serve with hearty dishes like burgers, stews and risottos.