Notify me
2016 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
Antoine-Marie Arena
A commanding hillside strewn with big stones and marine fossils, Carco is one of Patrimonio’s great vineyard sites. The 2016 vintage produced dark, concentrated wines with focused acidity and chewy tannins that have begun to melt together in the years since release. With an almost bloody quality comparable to the juices from the first cut into a thick ribeye, this just begs for red meat—give it a try next time in the place of your favorite Tuscan or Provençal red.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2016 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Niellucciu |
Appellation: | Patrimonio |
Country: | France |
Region: | Corsica |
Producer: | Antoine-Marie Arena |
Vineyard: | 2 ha, planted in 1987 |
Soil: | Limestone, chalk, clay |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region

2018 Corse Calvi Rouge “E Prove”
France | Corsica
The island of Corsica is only a few hours by ferry from mainland France, but when you arrive, you get the sense you’ve set foot in a partly foreign country.

2023 Patrimonio Blanc “San Giovanni”
France | Corsica
A thirst-quencher with uncommon pedigree.

2022 Vin de France Blanc “B.G.”
France | Corsica
A beautiful example of Biancu Gentile, an heirloom white grape revived from near-extinction by Arena in the 1990s.

2020 Vin de France Muscatellu “Morta Maió” Non Muté
France | Corsica
If you’re like me, a glass of Corsican Muscatellu sparks visions of evening cheese plates laden with Marcona almonds and gemlike fruits.

2023 Vin de France Blanc “B.G.”
France | Corsica
A beautiful example of Biancu Gentile, an heirloom white grape revived from near-extinction by Arena in the 1990s.

2023 Vin de France “Le Vin Coule Dans Nos Veines”
France | Corsica
Reminiscent of ripe wild blackberries crushed on a hot stone, “Le Vin Coule” is utterly gulpable—give it a light chill and revel in this unique Corsican rouge.

2021 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
France | Corsica
Aromas of black fruit, graphite, wild herbs, and game over firm, stony tannins. Saturated with flavors of the Île de Beauté.

2021 Patrimonio Rouge “Mémoria”
France | Corsica
The only Arena cuvée to see barrel-aging features the domaine’s oldest vines.

2019 Vin de France Muscatellu “Morta Maió” Non Muté
France | Corsica
If you’re like me, a glass of Corsican Muscatellu sparks visions of evening cheese plates laden with Marcona almonds and gemlike fruits.

2021 Corse Figari Rouge “Amphora”
France | Corsica
This brooding amphora-aged red is a tribute to ancient Corsican wines, as they were produced in Roman times.

About The Producer
Antoine-Marie Arena
About The Region
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.
More from Corsica or France
2022 Île de Beauté Blanc
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
2021 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2019 Muscat du Cap Corse “Grotte di Sole”
Jean-Baptiste Arena France | Corsica
2022 Corse Figari Rosé
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2023 Ile de Beauté Rouge
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2020 Vin de France Muscatellu “Morta Maió” Non Muté
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2021 Corse Figari Blanc “Amphora”
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2018 Corse Calvi Rouge “E Prove”
Domaine Maestracci France | Corsica
2022 Vin de France Blanc “Grotte di Sole”
Jean-Baptiste Arena France | Corsica
2023 Vin de Corse Rosé “Gris de Marquiliani” MAGNUM
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2023 Vin de Corse “Le Rosé de Pauline”
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2023 Patrimonio Blanc “San Giovanni”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2022 Île de Beauté Blanc
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
2021 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2019 Muscat du Cap Corse “Grotte di Sole”
Jean-Baptiste Arena France | Corsica
2022 Corse Figari Rosé
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2023 Ile de Beauté Rouge
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2020 Vin de France Muscatellu “Morta Maió” Non Muté
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2021 Corse Figari Blanc “Amphora”
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2018 Corse Calvi Rouge “E Prove”
Domaine Maestracci France | Corsica
2022 Vin de France Blanc “Grotte di Sole”
Jean-Baptiste Arena France | Corsica
2023 Vin de Corse Rosé “Gris de Marquiliani” MAGNUM
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2023 Vin de Corse “Le Rosé de Pauline”
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2023 Patrimonio Blanc “San Giovanni”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174