2015 Domaine Comte Abbatucci, Rosé of Sciaccaellu “Cuvee Faustine” Vieilles Vignes, Ajaccio Corsica.
From the Ajaccio area of the island, Abbatucci maybe the most famous estate in Corsica and Jean-Charles Abbatucci, a direct descendant of General Jean-Charles Abbatucci a French Revolutionary hero and contemporary of fellow Corsican Napoleon Bonaparte, is one of the driving forces in Corsican wine, even with that long history Domaine Comte Abbatucci the estate winery is fairly young, being founded in 1950. Corsica has been a major player in wine since the Phocean times, dating back to the late 7th century and early 8th century, they most likely brought to the island the first main varietal vines from cuttings that were Etruscan in origin, though many in Corsica believe it may have been the Etruscans themselves, these grapes have become known locally as Sciaccarellu (Mammolo, still found in Chianti and Tuscany) and Niellucciu (Sangiovese), they are the two most common red grapes, as for whites there is the rare true native grape Biancu Gentile and Vermentinu (Vermentino) the leading grape for wine wine on the island, which may have came via neighboring Sardinia or the Italian coastal regions. Domaine Comte Abbatucci is all biodynamic and focuses purely on native grapes, it is set on mostly granite soils which gives finesse and mineral detail, Abbatucci, imported by Kermit Lynch, crafts some of the most sought after wines in Corsica along with Leccia and Clos Canarelli, these are wines that will blow your mind, especially Jean-Charles’ top red blends from field blends of vines that date back to the early 1960’s, but don’t over look his glorious Rosé of Sciaccarellu Cuvee Faustine with it’s gorgeous color and vibrancy, it’s a wine that rivals the great pink wines of Bandol with a succulent, steely crisp, dry richness and stunning length. The 2015 is full of flavor and energy with sour cherry, liquid roses, flinty spices, wet stone/shale along with juicy acidity, watermelon, strawberry and tangy red citrus. This is a sexy Rosé is made from direct pressing, no malo and a short cold soak to extract color, raised in stainless steel to keep it vital and refreshing. This is an outstanding vintage for Abbatucci, it has depth, ripeness and plenty of vigor with elegance, it’s edgy nervy nature makes it a riveting pleasure with cuisine and can be drunk with the whole meal, no matter how serious or robust the food choices. While the Corsican roses can age, it is always best to drink them in the first year.
($35 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive