2015 Domaine Petroni Corse Rouge (Corsica)

This vineyard close to the Mediterranean has produced a ripe wine with a cool, crisp texture and a touch of saltiness. Taken together, these elements give plenty of crispness, black currant fruitiness and a layer of tannin at the end. (RV)

I visited this property a few years ago on a brief but meaningful trip to Corsica. Petroni's vineyards sit on the hills surrounding Lake Diane, a renowned source for oysters and mussels on the island. While wandering through the vineyards, you can see the Mediterranean sitting to the east just past the lake and when you turn to the west, you see the mountains of Corsica erupting high into the air. It reminds you what an onerous, inaccessible place this island can be. To their credit, Corsica is famously known as the island often invaded but never conquered. It is a scene that illustrates the rugged intensity of the people, their wines and the fascinating flavor profiles those wines deliver. Petroni is a small family estate making their wines at the local cooperative. This gives it the advantage of access to top flight facilities and some of the best wine consultants on the island. Another advantage - without the added cost of the facility, it keeps the cost more affordable! Corsica has gained a bit of a reputation for making great wines but the pricing can be as daunting as conquering the island. The primary grape in the "Rouge blend" is the local grape called Niellucciu, thought to be a lost clone of Sangiovese. The grape offers up the kind of bright acidity, red fruit and savory notes that you usually find in coastal Sangiovese reds. The rest of the blend is made up of Syrah and Grenache, which amplify the weight and density of the wine while adding layers of roasted black plum, crushed black pepper and Asian spices. Delicious medium bodied texture with supple tannins and a mild spicy undertone that gives it the lift to make it a great food pairing. Perfect with the classically grilled meats of the island or hearty fish stews. This is a wonderfully complex red that reflects the quality and character of the people of the island.