Monte Bianco Rouge VdF 2020

Wine Description for Monte Bianco Rouge VdF 2020 by Abbatucci

Colour & Appearance

Intensely luminous ruby red with a pale rim – characteristically translucent for Sciaccarellu and of remarkable clarity. The rather light robe belies the power of this Corsican wine.

Nose

An olfactory monument to the Macchia: juniper, green pepper and pimento burst from the glass. Behind these unfold forest floor, tree resin and ethereal notes of pine cones. The fruit – sweet cherry, plum, mulberry – must fight its way through this spicy complexity. Dried thyme, oregano and sage add herbal accents, whilst a hint of cocoa provides dark depth. Pure Corsican wildness.

Palate

Surprisingly taut and cool on the attack – elegant and fine-boned rather than powerful. The fruit shows itself small-berried and acid-driven, which lends the wine a remarkable drinkability despite its 15.5% alcohol. The juicy core is framed by minerality and an almost austere stoniness. Silky tannins carry the structure, whilst the ethereal spice notes return on the finish. Tense and of great precision.

Finish

Long and finely spiced with returning Macchia notes. The spicy, ethereal nuances dominate the finale and leave a cool, mineral impression of impressive persistence.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Sciaccarellu from biodynamic viticulture. Fermentation in concrete tanks and conical wooden vats, followed by extended skin contact with pigeage and pump-overs. Maturation for one year in wooden vats and demi-muids, subsequently several months in tank. Only 3,000 bottles produced.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Grilled lamb rack with mint sauce, red mullet pan-fried skin-side down with artichokes and tomato-thyme broth, Brin d’Amour with beetroot-apple salad and toasted walnuts. The spicy complexity calls for Mediterranean flavours.

Special Features

An authentic testament to Corsican wine culture from Jean-Charles Abbatucci, one of the pioneers of biodynamic viticulture on the island. The Monte Bianco demonstrates impressively how elegant and precise Sciaccarellu can be – far removed from any jammy character.