2015 Eloro “Spaccaforno”Riofavara
Italy | Sicily
$22
Kermit Lynch T-Shirts Now Available
Producers
The Giacomettis farm a rugged patch of granite in northwest Corsica known as the Désert des Agriates, which falls under the Patrimonio appellation in spite of being geographically and geologically removed. While red Patrimonio, made from the Niellucciu grape, is a dark, profound, brooding wine—an unapologetic dose of Corsican oomph—this bottling is 100% Sciaccarellu, so it cannot call itself a Patrimonio. Exuberantly juicy and flamboyantly scented of smashed raspberries, pepper, and herbs, Sempre Cuntentu epitomizes that island joie de vivre.
—Anthony Lynch
Vintage: | 2016 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Sciaccarellu |
Appellation: | Patrimonio |
Country: | France |
Region: | Corsica |
Producer: | Domaine Giacometti |
Winemaker: | Christian Giacometti |
Vineyard: | 10 to 45 years, 35 ha total |
Soil: | Clay, Granite |
Aging: | Aged for 10 months on fine lees in stainless steel tank |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
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.
Yves Leccia France | Corsica | I. G. P. Île de Beauté
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
Domaine Giacometti France | Corsica | Patrimonio
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
Antoine Arena France | Corsica | Patrimonio
Domaine Giudicelli France | Corsica | Patrimonio
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
Antoine Arena France | Corsica
Jean-Baptiste Arena France | Corsica | Vin de France
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica | Corse Figari
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica | Corse Figari
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
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
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/bpa