Cru Des Agriate 2013
Corsica
France
97% Nielluccio, 3% Grenache
This elegant unpretentious Mediterranean table wine expresses a clear, saturated hue of garnet red. Clean briary fruit emerges with underlying steely graphite on the nose. Tinges of anise. Lean, earthy & spicy, this has lots of acidity, along with juicy dark fruits such as blackberry and plum, as well as an herbaceous tenacity. Enjoy this wine with Food! Perfect with a pizza pie of ricotta, mushrooms and herbs, as I enjoyed here ... all of the marvelous minerals and spice cut through the creaminess of cheese, earthy mushrooms and olive oil. Also try with Charcuterie, Tapas or Pasta with rich sauces!
$22/btl at Maine & Loire on Washington Ave, Portland.
Domaine Giacometti was founded in 1987 by Christian Giacometti and now assisted by his daughter Sarah and son Simon, who will eventually take the reins.
While my photograph may illustrate lush origins, this wine actually hails from the Agriate Desert (thus Cru des Agriate) on the island of Corsica in the appellation of Patrimonio. A vast rugged, arid landscape on the northern end of the island. One needs a 4-wheeler to access the estate! Three separate parcels of vines are situated at the foot of Mount Genova, the highest point in the area. The Libecciu, a hot dry wind rolls down off the coast of Italy year round. Such conditions cause the vines of the native Corsican varietal Nielluccio to forage deeply for its nutrients. Cool sea breezes help moderate and prevent disease. Terroir of granite and clay clearly comes through in this unique yet approachable wine. Imagine pouring from a gorgeous pottery pitcher made by hand. Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks and aged 10 months on fine lees.
Enjoy now!
Imported by Kermit Lynch, Berkeley, California and distributed in Maine by National Distributors. Also available at Browne Trading Market on Commercial Street and Union at the Press Hotel by request.