2018 Clos Marfisi Rosé de Nuit

Region: Patrimonio < Corsica < France                   

Grapes: Niellucciu

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic/biodynamic farming; limestone soils; 20% saignée and 80% direct-press juice fermented in stainless steel; unfined with low added SO2 at bottling only;

Winemaker: Mathieu and Julie Marfisi

NEW VINTAGE ALERT! Brother and sister, Mathieu and Julie are fifth generation at the helm of this estate, having taken over from their father when both returned to Corsica from careers elsewhere in France.  They never gave into outside pressure re. grape varieties or chemicals, so you won’t find any Grenache or pesticides/herbicides here.  The soils are virgin, having never seen a chemical – surprisingly rare on this island.  Because everybody wants pale pink rosé from the Corsican wine factories (a color which, BTW, is often achieved by added a big dollop of So2 directly to the wine at the end to lighten it up – gag!) But this wine is a great example of real rosé, pouring a bright pink in the glass, the natural hue that comes from the highly-pigmented Niellucciu grapes. While pink normally evokes summery images, this pretty baby is our go-to rosé this winter, brightening up many a Sunday afternoon with its crunchy red cherries, crushed seashells, herbs and sea salt, finishing with a good dose of minerals and bracing acidity. Fabulous with cheese, charcuterie, or hold for another year.  Yes, a good rosé has legs and can hold!