2022 Domaine Comte Abbatucci, Faustine Rouge, Vin de Corse

This is a revelatory introduction to just how delicious Corsican wine can be! This wine is a blend of Sciaccarellu and Niellucciu, two Italian grapes that have grown for over seven generations in French-controlled Corsica and now feel distinct from their nearest parents in Italy (Sciaccarellu = Mammolo, Niellucciu = Sangiovese, a bit more well-known than Mammolo). This wine is an engaging and eye-opening wine that is a pure pleasure, a wine to surprise and delight anyone. Jean-Charles Abbatucci is hands down one of the best winemakers of the gorgeous island of Corsica, and has championed rare varieties that were on the verge of extinction—he’s hell-bent on saving Corsica’s unique cultural legacy. There’s a salinity to the pristine, dry brush herb-inflected, soil-driven cherry fruit this wine offers that really knocks it out of the park.  An exceptionally versatile wine at the dinner table, or great as a cocktail as it’s not too heavy.