Domaine Giacometti - Patrimonio "Cru Des Agriate" 2020 (750ml)
Price: $23.99
30% Off: $16.79
| Producer | Domaine Giacometti |
| Country | France |
| Region | Corsica |
| Varietal | Niellucciu, Grenache |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Sku | 200606 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Domaine Giacometti Description
Corsicans are no strangers to rugged landscapes and isolated areas, yet there is only one spot on the island that has earned the name of “Desert” among Corsicans. The Agriates Desert is a large, rugged, empty and arid swath of land between the Cap Corse and Calvi on the northern end of the island. There are no cities nor towns, only one small paved road, and only one hamlet, with a dozen or so inhabitants. It’s swept year round with the Libecciu, a hot and dry wind that rolls down off the Italian coast, and it’s been an empty area for nearly a century. The wind combined with the clay-granite soils makes growing anything here extremely laborious, with the vines requiring constant plowing to allow the roots to forage deep for water and nutrients. The Giacometti family boldly moved here in 1987, taking over vines that had been planted in 1966. The appellation authorities granted Patrimonio appellation status to these vines, even though the estate is several miles from the village of Patrimonio and other vineyards. Given the isolation of the domaine, word of the wines and the estate haven't travelled far, though an important and loyal Corsican clientele has permitted the domaine to thrive. The Giacomettis have long made a generous, approachable style of Patrimonio, similar to what has traditionally been served by the pitcher at the Corsican dinner table. The terroir here provides conditions that allow the Niellucciu vines to forage deep into the granite rock for nutrients and to ripen without excess.
To find the estate one needs to venture far from the one paved road of the region, and a good 4x4 vehicle is essential. The founder, Christian Giacometti, has gradually been handing over the reins to his daughter Sarah and son Simon after 25 years of constant and heroic labor to make wine in an inhospitable land. The kids are all right, as they say, continuing on with their unique and eminently drinkable style of Patrimonio, all the while experimenting with Sciaccarellu plantings (extremely rare for Patrimonio) and offering a glimpse of great things to come.
The reds of Patrimonio, a northern Corsican appellation and stronghold of the Niellucciu grape, are known for being wild, brawny, rustic, or gamey. They certainly can be—and delightfully so—but this release from Simon Giacometti is a whole different animal, so to speak. It’s made in a remote part of the appellation where sandy granite soils replace the limestone found elsewhere in Patrimonio. Niellucciu from granite tastes juicier, spicier, and less structured than from limestone; on top of that, Simon harvested early to capture plenty of freshness and lower alcohol.
Tasting Note: Bright red fruit, Corsican herbs, and smooth tannins make this a unique, but no less terroir-driven, Patrimonio that is a real joy to drink right now.
