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2013 Corse Calvi Rouge “E Prove”

Domaine Maestracci
Discount Eligible $22.00
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Just inland from the lovely port town of Calvi, the alleged birthplace of Christopher Columbus, vines cover vast granite expanses in the shadow of the towering Monte Grosso. This interplay of maritime and mountain influences provides cool nights to contrast with the hot days in Corsica’s dry and windy hills—perfect conditions for growing concentrated grapes saturated with flavor. On the E Prove plateau, Camille-Anaïs Raoust of Domaine Maestracci farms Niellucciu, Grenache, Sciaccarellu, and Syrah for this robust red that seems infused with the local aromas of maquis herbs and wild fruit. Aged for two years—including one in barrels—before release, this red has a smoky, spicy element that makes it an ideal match for richly flavored Mediterranean cuisine. Grilled lamb chops, ratatouille, or a vegetable tagine would certainly do the trick.  –Anthony Lynch

Technical Information
Wine Type: red
Vintage: 2013
Bottle Size: 750mL
Blend: 35% Niellucciu, 35% Grenache, 15% Sciacarellu, 15% Syrah
Appellation: Calvi
Country: France
Region: Corsica
Producer: Domaine Maestracci
Winemaker: Camille-Anaïs Raoust
Vineyard: 25 - 40 years
Soil: Clay, Sand, on Granite
Aging: Wine is raised for one year in stainless steel and then one year in foudre or French oak barrels, wine is aged in bottle for 6 months to a year
Farming: Lutte Raisonnée
Alcohol: 14%

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About The Region

Corsica

map of Corsica

I first set foot on the island in 1980. I remember looking down from the airplane window seeing alpine forest and lakes and thinking, uh oh, I got on the wrong plane. Then suddenly I was looking down into the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean. Corsica is a small, impossibly tall island, the tail of the Alp chain rising out of the blue sea.—Kermit Lynch

Kermit’s first trip to the island proved fruitful, with his discovery of Clos Nicrosi’s Vermentino. More than thirty years later, the love affair with Corsica has only grown as we now import wines from ten domaines that cover the north, south, east, and west of what the French affectionately refer to as l’Île de Beauté.

Corsica is currently experiencing somewhat of a renaissance—interest has never been higher in the wines and much of this is due to growers focusing on indigenous and historical grapes found on the island. Niellucciu, Sciarcarellu, and Vermentinu are widely planted but it is now common to find bottlings of Biancu Gentile and Carcaghjolu Neru as well as blends with native varieties like Rossola Bianca, Minustellu, or Montaneccia.

As Kermit described above, Corsica has a strikingly mountainous landscape. The granite peaks top out above 9,000 feet. The terroir is predominantly granite with the exception of the Patrimonio appellation in the north, which has limestone, clay, and schist soils.The wines, much like their southern French counterparts make for great pairings with the local charcuterie, often made from Nustrale, the native wild boar, as well as Brocciu, the Corsican goats milk cheese that is best served within 48 hours of it being made.

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Inspiring Thirst

I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.

Inspiring Thirst, page 171