"Let us mention our most beautiful emotions: Quartz, the only white that is not in AOP Ajaccio, and for good reason, planted in Carcaghjolu bianco, Riminese, Genovese, and Codivarta, a ripe juice of great richness and concentration. The Sciaccarellu is well mastered: Granit rouge 2021 with its long aging in wood of almost 30 months, an athlete's build, a fine grain, so elegant. The extremely rare Granit 174, vine of 0.174 ha, hence its name, a tasty and tangy juice, well accompanied by its woody aging which seems to support the innate freshness of this Sciaccarellu at perfect maturity."
- Revue du Vin de France
Quality & Consistency: The pillars of the Domaine de Vaccelli wines released to you today.
Gérard and Nathalie Courrèges continue to cement their name in Corsican royalty with the release of the 2021 reds and 2022 whites. Carefully crafting their wines in the region of Cognocoli-Monticchi, in 2021 the couple took the plunge to switch to purely using natural yeasts from the estate and volcanic sulphur in their vinification to reduce the impact on the wines and bring out even more terroir characteristics.
The result? A powerhouse set of Corsican wines rated extremely highly by the Revue du Vin de France. Each cuvee expresses a level of quality that impresses even the finest of palates, with great consistency across the range. Each of the plots are isolated and pampered to suit their terroir, with the team constantly performing tests on the soils and the wines to ensure the result is a mosaic of highly recommendable wines.
"This estate, acquired by Roger Courrèges in 1962 and situated in the south of Corsica, between Ajaccio and Propriano, is one of the best and most interesting in the “Island of Beauty,” as we named Corsica in France." - Yohan Castaing.
From old-vine Vermentino to divine Sciaccarellu, the carefully crafted wines by Roger Courrèges are ones to savour. Please dive into the range today.
TASTING NOTES
VACCELLI BLANC 2022
A cuvée from organically grown vines planted on deep sandy granitic soils. These vines are on a cooler terroir than the other white grape varietal parcels of the Estate, with manual harvesting and controlled yields. Floral expression on the nose, quickly followed by notes of buttered apples, citrus, garrigue. Elegant, mineral and structured mouthfeel, good freshness and finish on fine bitters. Very nice ageing potential. Drink now or cellar 10 years. 100% Vermentinu.
GRANIT BLANC 2022
"Old-vine Vermentino from the estate’s highest vineyards. Chamomile, yellow fruit, and smoke over a mineral-rich core." 94 Points, Revue du Vin de France
The Granit White plot selection has vines 26 years old on average, sitting at the highest part on the hill, facing the sea (which brings salinity to the wine). A nose with notes of citrus fruits, lemon oil, yellow fruits, chamomile flowers, and in-your-face minerality. The palate is charged with intensity, which evolves as the wine breathes, giving way to a sensation of beautiful length and a subtle hint of smoke. A huge cuvée to cellar 10 years. 100% Vermentinu.
QUARTZ BLANC 2022
"A blend of four indigenous Coriscan varieties. Vibrant and textural, with ripe apricot and almond meal savouriness." 94-96 Points, Revue du Vin de France
This Quartz cuvée is a blend of four white grape varieties native to Corsica: Carcaghjolu Bianco, Riminese, Ghjenuvese and Cudiverta. The vines were only planted in 2013 on sandy granitic soils, and are manually harvested. A nose with notes of yellow plum, white flowers, honey, and lime tree. Generous, soft on the palate, with incredible intensity and this invisible acidity which make for a very complete, very drinkable wine! Perfectly balancing firmness and lusciousness. To be aired for 40 minutes if drinking now or cellar 10-15 years. Carcaghjolu bianco, Riminese, Genovese, Codivarta.
CAMPO DI MAGNA BLANC 2021
Oxidative nose of white flowers and candied lemons with powerful, mineral, great aromatic persistence. Flavours of candied citrus fruits, sweet spices. 100% Vermentinu.
CHIOSO NOVO BLANC 2022
The nose of this wine reveals delicious notes of citrus, wet stone, vanilla, brioche, fresh butter and white flowers. The palate is full and complex with a perfect balance between buttery roundness and mineral vivacity. 100% Vermentinu.
AJA DONICA BLANC 2022
"Vermentino and Bianco Gentile planted in 1967. Tightly coiled – candied lemon, sweet spices, and blossom. Seamless." 93 Points, Revue du Vin de France
Nose of honey and white flowers, great aromatic persistence, perfect balance. Flavours of nectar, candied lemons, sweet spices. Bianco gentile, Vermentinu.
GRANIT 174 BLANC 2022
A rare and acute representation of the Old-vine Vermentino from the estate’s highest vineyards.
VACCELLI ROSE 2022
The Vaccelli Rose is from vines averaging 30 years old and planted on slopes of sandy granitic soils. The grapes are harvested by hand, and the yields kept low. A nose with notes of white flowers, redcurrant, citrus peel, and maquis. The palate has a juice that combines body and freshness, great finesse and beautiful structure. A gastronomic rosé with ageing potential of 6-8 years. 100% Sciaccarellu.
VACCELLI ROUGE 2021
The Vaccelli Rouge plot is a selection of 25+ year old vines of Sciaccarellu with an average yield of 44 hl/ha. All grapes are harvested by hand, and a blend of two parcels, one exposed East-West, the other one North-South. Containing notes of kirsch, plum, black currant, sweet spices. It has a crisp, aromatic, fresh and airy mouthfeel. Long finish enhanced by a lovely acidity. Drink now with a 40 minute decanter or cellar 4-6 years. 100% Sciaccarellu.
QUARTZ ROUGE 2021
"Restrained power meets fruit finesse and a velvety texture." 94 Points, Revue du Vin de France
The power of Minustellu, the structure of the Carcajolo and the intense fruity character of the Sciaccarellu. A beautiful balance and complexity are expected. To be aired for 60 minutes if drinking now or cellar 3-5 years. 40% Carcajolo, 40% Minustellu, 20% Sciaccarellu.
GRANIT ROUGE 2021
"Black cherry, leather, and sweet spices – long, tapered, and precise." 94-95 Points, Revue du Vin de France
Vaccelli’s Granit Rouge is from Sciaccarellu grapes grown on vines with an average age of 45+ years old on a plot selection of 1.5h with East-West exposure. Manual harvesting is conducted along with controlled yields. Deep nose carried by notes of black cherry, blackberry, sweet spices, hint of leather. The palate has great finesse, silky tannins and endless length. A craft of gastronomy. Worth decanting for 1 hour or cellar 10-15 years. 100% Sciaccarellu.
CHIOSO NOVO ROUGE 2021
Made in 100% WineGlobes, this Sciaccarellu cuvee presents an infused and fluid red in hue. It has great aromatic persistence, perfect balance with flavours of nectar, candied raspberries, sweet spices. 100% Sciaccarellu.
GRANIT 174 ROUGE 2021
Granit ‘174’ is a micro-cuvée from the Domaine de Vaccelli made from the local grape variety, Sciaccarellu. The extremely rare Granit 174, vine of 0.174 ha, hence its name, a tasty and tangy juice, well accompanied by its woody aging which seems to support the innate freshness of this Sciaccarellu at perfect maturity. 100% Sciaccarellu.