2020 Domaine Giacometti, Patrimonio Rouge “Cru des Agriate” Corsica, France.
This pure and expressive red from Giacometti is a blend of 97% Niellucciu (Sangiovese) and 3% Grenache that was fermented and aged exclusively in stainless steel tanks, with this vintage showing a bright array of red fruits with hints of spice, mineral and fresh acidity. The dark garnet and ruby 2020 has loads of personality and tangy character with vivid black raspberry, plum, cherry and blood orange fruits, plus a touch of snappy herbs, tobacco leaf, anise, a loamy stony element and delicate florals, all making this a delightful medium bodied wine that is great with a simple meal, pasta, hard cheeses and or rustic country meat dishes. Giacometti practices all organic farming and uses indigenous yeast fermentation, which allows for more terroir driven flavors here, with these vines ranging from 10 to 45 years old, set on granite and clay soils, and providing good concentration, smooth tannins and refreshing natural acidity.
Domaine Giacometti, located very remotely in the wilds of Corsica, has been a mainstay in Kermit Lynch imports portfolio for many years now, which has allowed me to taste these wines quite often and made this property a go to for quality and value, especially this delightful Cru des Agriate Rouge, which I always enjoy. The Giacomettis winery, founded by Christian Giacometti in 1987, as Kermit Lynch notes, have long made a generous, approachable style of Patrimonio, similar to what has traditionally been served by the pitcher at the Corsican dinner table. The terroir here provides, he continues, conditions that allow the Niellucciu vines to forage deep into the granite rock for nutrients and to ripen without excess. The estate is going through a generational change with Christian handing over to his daughter Sarah and son Simon, who look to carry on with an extra degree of energy and passion here and so far so good with a very stylish lineup of wines, including a lovely Rosé, which uses some Sciaccarellu, a crisp Vermentino (called Vermentinu on Corsica), along with a solid series of reds, with this one being a great place to start.
($26 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive