Notify me
2019 Vin de France Rouge “Costa Nera”
Clos CanarelliCorsica boasts a wealth of rare, indigenous grape varieties, but many of these fell out of favor over the latter half of the twenty-first century as the French government went on a crusade of sorts to replace them with varieties from the mainland—Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, etc. This sort of vinous colonialism neglected to account for the fact that the Corsican grapes were perfectly adapted to the local terroir, whereas grapevines from the Rhône or Provence thrived under completely different conditions; ultimately, it led to the loss of many unique wines. Thanks to a proud group of Corsican vignerons, led by Antoine Arena, Jean-Charles Abbatucci, and Yves Canarelli, dozens of heirloom grape varieties have been identified and brought back from the brink of extinction in a valiant effort to reproduce what might resemble the traditional wines of Corsica’s past.
One such grape, Carcaghjolu Neru, is endemic to southern Corsica, and has now been replanted by a handful of vignerons across the island. Canarelli’s Costa Nera is riveting proof that this grape belongs on the granite slopes of Figari. Deep, dark, powerful, and mineral-driven, this is Corsica’s answer to Cornas—loaded with pepper, graphite, wild fruit, and herbaceous maquis nuances, full of drive and freshness. This is truly a grandiose monument to the power of Corsica’s heirloom grapes.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Carcaghjolu Neru |
Country: | France |
Region: | Corsica |
Producer: | Clos Canarelli |
Vineyard: | 1 ha, Planted in 2007 |
Soil: | Granite |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2021 Corse Figari Blanc “Amphora”
France | Corsica
It has a purity and seamlessness—no angles or edges—and a feeling of weightlessness despite its broad, full-bodied, golden flesh.
2020 Corse Figari Rouge
France | Corsica
This fragrant red from the island’s south echoes the earthy, meaty complexity found in chewy cuts of coppa, lonzu, prisuttu, or figatellu that inevitably surface toward the end of a tasting at Clos Canarelli.
2021 Corse Figari Rouge “Amphora”
France | Corsica
This brooding amphora-aged red is a tribute to ancient Corsican wines, as they were produced in Roman times.
2022 Huile d’Olive Vierge Extra
France | Corsica
Fruity nose with a hint of black olive; mild yet richly textured with a soft, peppery finish.
2021 Corse Figari Rosé
France | Corsica
A biodynamic, orange-zesty, multifaceted masterpiece from the most ancient growing region on the island.
2017 Corse Figari Rouge “Amphora”
France | Corsica
This brooding amphora-aged red is a tribute to ancient Corsican wines, as they were produced in Roman times.
2023 Bonifacio Blanc “Tarra di Sognu”
France | Corsica
Experience Bonifacio, one of Corsica's historic wine regions, through Canarelli's epic, age-worthy biancu.
2019 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.
2019 Corse Figari Rouge “Alta Rocca”
France | Corsica
Among the greatest expressions of Sciaccarellu being made today.
2023 Corse Figari Blanc
France | Corsica
August Club Bianco ~ What about real-deal vanilla aromatics? I’m talking cured Madagascar bourbon seed, lightly crushed, delicate and discreet.
About The Producer
Clos Canarelli
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
2023 Île de Beauté Blanc
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
2021 Patrimonio Blanc
Domaine Giudicelli France | Corsica
2017 Corse Figari Rouge “Amphora”
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2018 Vin de France Blanc “Diplomate d’Empire”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2018 Corse Calvi Rouge “E Prove”
Domaine Maestracci France | Corsica
2018 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2022 Huile d’Olive Vierge Extra
Yves Canarelli France | Corsica
2021 Corse Calvi Rouge “E Signurine”
Domaine Maestracci France | Corsica
2016 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2023 Vin de Corse “Blanc de Marquilliani”
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2021 Vin de France Blanc “B.G.”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2022 Île de Beauté Rouge
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
2023 Île de Beauté Blanc
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
2021 Patrimonio Blanc
Domaine Giudicelli France | Corsica
2017 Corse Figari Rouge “Amphora”
Clos Canarelli France | Corsica
2018 Vin de France Blanc “Diplomate d’Empire”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2018 Corse Calvi Rouge “E Prove”
Domaine Maestracci France | Corsica
2018 Patrimonio Rouge “Carco”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2022 Huile d’Olive Vierge Extra
Yves Canarelli France | Corsica
2021 Corse Calvi Rouge “E Signurine”
Domaine Maestracci France | Corsica
2016 Vin de France Blanc “Général de la Révolution”
Domaine Comte Abbatucci France | Corsica
2023 Vin de Corse “Blanc de Marquilliani”
Domaine de Marquiliani France | Corsica
2021 Vin de France Blanc “B.G.”
Antoine-Marie Arena France | Corsica
2022 Île de Beauté Rouge
Yves Leccia France | Corsica
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174