Domaine Comte Abbatucci Alte Rosso Blanc 2022
Regular price $134.00
Unit price per
Certified Biodynamic, Integrated Farm
Varieties: Barbarossa
Country, Region: France, Corsica
Appellation: Vin de France
100 % Barbarossa planted in the early 1960s on granitic sands, whole-bunch pressed and cold settled for 24-48 hours. Fermented in 1200 litre Stockinger barrels. Matured on lees in barrel, without malolactic conversion, for 12 months, then assembled in tank for 3 months prior to bottling. Unfined but bottled with a light filtration, then further matured in bottle for 3-6 months before release.‘To the eye, this wine is clear and bright, with golden nuances. The nose is characterized by empyreumatic aromas, with toasted and grilled notes. Peaty and floral notes are also revealed, we also find aromas of white-fleshed fruits, such as white peach - apricot. The attack on the palate is lively, with salty, toasted and peaty notes. The aromatics found on the nose are revealed in the middle of the palate, with salty and peaty notes, we also find aromas of tangy fruits, lemon and orange zest. Beautiful bitters and a hint of acidity then contribute to the length on the finish, magnified by toasted and salty notes, expressing this solar vintage. The minerality of this cuvée is further sublimated by notes of peat and flint. Decant and serve cool (14-16°).’ Jean-Charles Abbatucci, Winemaker.
'Collectively, Abbatucci’s wines will stretch your palate, your imagination, and even your notions about what wine is or can be. (And you’ll have fun drinking them.)' David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate, February 2013.
'Abbatucci’s wines are out of this world.' Olivier Poussier, World’s Best Sommelier, 2000.
Domaine Comte Abbatucci extends over 100 ha of granite sandy slopes, located in the southern part of Corsica in the Taravo valley. Among the estate’s 100 hectares, there are 18 ha of vines at about 100m above sea level but you will also find fruit trees, vegetables, olive trees and sheep which have all been farmed bio-dynamically since 2000.
The estate is one of the oldest vineyard plantations in Corsica and has been chosen to study and experiment the reproduction of ancient vine varieties. The estate grows a wide range of indigenous varieties including Niellucio and Sciacarello as well as the more obscure Morescola, Morescono, Aleatico, Carcajolo Nera, Montanaccia. Life on the estate is regulated by the rhythms of the sun, moon and the planets. The grapes are said to develop in health and harmony with the assistance of traditional Corsican polyphonic music played over loudspeakers.
If it wasn’t for Antoine Abbatucci, most of the grapes now grown by his son, Jean-Charles, might well not exist. In the 1960s, local Corsican grapes were being rapidly replaced by international competitors. Antoine was charged with preserving these varieties and, using a hectare of land, created a ampelographic station and saved the fate of 18 of them.
When Jean-Charles took over in 2000, he began grafting these old varieties onto the existing vines, and then started to grow them biodynamically. Today, 14 of those varieties can be found at Domaine Abbatucci, and there are now around 18 hectares of vines, which are planted on granite slopes 100 metres above sea level. They thrive in an ecosystem in which a wide variety of flora and fauna grow beside the vines, adding to the ecological diversity, an important part of bio-dynamic viticulture. In the winter, a herd of sheep comes to the land, and there is also a herd of striped “tiger cows”. The cows are bred by Jean-Charles’s brother, Jacque, and eaten at the restaurant run their other brother, Henri. The vines are punctuated by shrubs and olive trees.
The estate produces around 1,500- 3,000 bottles of each type of wine from these old heirloom varieties, so you’ll have to hurry if you want to experience the unique qualities of grapes that were raised from the dead. Today Jean-Charles’ wines are recognised by experts all over the world as wines that preserve the very particular and original flavours of Corsican terroir.