Notify me
2022 Corse Calvi Rouge “Clos Reginu”
Domaine MaestracciReginu Plateau
The Reginu plateau of northwest Corsica sits just fifteen minutes from the Mediterranean, but you wouldn’t know it. These vineyards are surrounded by craggy hills that block access to the sea, while towering Monte Grosso to the south, which often features a dusting of snow, makes the island’s azure beaches feel even more distant. Given the remote location, it’s no wonder why this Niellucciu-dominant blend tastes wild, even by Corsican standards. The hints of smoke, brambles, and singed herbs make this biodynamically grown red a great candidate to open next time you cook a rosemary-rubbed meat over hot coals.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2022 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 35% Niellucciu, 30% Grenache, 15% Sciaccarellu, 15% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre |
Appellation: | Calvi |
Country: | France |
Region: | Corsica |
Producer: | Domaine Maestracci |
Winemaker: | Camille-Anaïs Raoust |
Vineyard: | 5 ha, 5 – 25 years |
Soil: | Clay, Sand, on Granite |
Aging: | Wine ages in tank |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Corse Calvi Rouge “Les Marottes d’Anaïs”
France | Corsica
This is a traditional Corsican red blend—half Niellucciu, half Sciaccarellu—but the vinification is unique.
2021 Corse Calvi Rouge “E Signurine”
France | Corsica
This red, a 50/50 blend of Niellucciu and Sciaccarellu, has the wild, peppery aromas we love in Corsican reds.
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.
2016 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
France | Corsica
This is for the adventure seekers. Not because they like to take risks, but because they enjoy the great outdoors and want a wine with character and beauty to enjoy by the campfire.
2022 Corse Calvi Blanc “E Prove”
France | Corsica
Fresh, salty, and citrusy all at once—an instant crowd pleaser, and one of Corsica’s top value whites.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil “Fruité Douce”
France | Corsica
From a tiny mill in Corsica’s eastern mountains, Douce is soft and tender; Sauvage is wildly peppery and herbaceous.
2022 Corse Calvi Rosé “E Prove”
France | Corsica
A perfect mix of fennel, strawberry, and some Corsican sun.
2022 Corse Calvi Blanc “Les Marottes d’Anaïs”
France | Corsica
Exceptionally perfumed with exotic fruits and a rush of fresh salinity, all evolving as the bottle unwinds.
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.
2020 Vin de France Rouge “Sempre Azezzu”
France | Corsica
Not quite Rhône-like and not quite Corsican, this has the best of both worlds, with plenty of palate-staining black fruit to boot.
About The Producer
Domaine Maestracci
High in the foothills of Monte Grossu mountain lies the granite plateau of Reginu, an area long known for U Vinu di E Prove–the wine of the Prove. The plateau has been used for vine and olive growing for centuries. In 1945, when the owner of an olive pressing operation packed up his mill, Roger Maestracci saw a golden opportunity and moved in. Within a few years the domaine had established a firm reputation in the area. Roger passed along the reins to his son-in-law, Michel Raoust, who has since handed over the winery to his daughter, Camille-Anaïs. She allows the red at least two years in large oak casks, while the white is bottled young to maintain the freshness of the terroir. These are quintessential Mediterranean food wines.
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
2021 Vin de France Blanc “B.G.”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2019 Muscat du Cap Corse “Grotte di Sole”
Jean-Baptiste Arena France | Corsica
2019 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2021 Patrimonio Blanc “Cuvée Sarah”
Domaine Giacometti France | Corsica
2021 Corse Figari Rosé
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2021 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2023 Vin de Corse “Le Rosé de Pauline”
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2017 Muscat du Cap Corse
Antoine Arena France | Corsica
2016 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2017 Patrimonio Rosé
Antoine Arena France | Corsica
2022 Île de Beauté Rouge
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
2019 Patrimonio Rouge “Morta Maio”
Antoine Arena France | Corsica
2021 Vin de France Blanc “B.G.”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2019 Muscat du Cap Corse “Grotte di Sole”
Jean-Baptiste Arena France | Corsica
2019 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2021 Patrimonio Blanc “Cuvée Sarah”
Domaine Giacometti France | Corsica
2021 Corse Figari Rosé
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2021 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2023 Vin de Corse “Le Rosé de Pauline”
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2017 Muscat du Cap Corse
Antoine Arena France | Corsica
2016 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2017 Patrimonio Rosé
Antoine Arena France | Corsica
2022 Île de Beauté Rouge
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
2019 Patrimonio Rouge “Morta Maio”
Antoine Arena France | Corsica
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117