Clos Fornelli Nielluccio 2021

"On the eastern edge of Corsica above the coastal town of Aleria on the Tyrrhenian Sea sits Clos Fornelli, a family property of 45 hectares, 18 of which are planted to vines. Owner Josée Vanucci and her husband Fabrice Couloumère organically farm classic Corsican varieties like Vermentinu, Sciaccarellu, and Niellucciu, along with the lesser known white grapes of Biancu Gentile and Genovese, and red grape Minustellu. The AOC Corse vineyards roll along the plains on the terraces of the Bravone River in the Castagniccia mountain range. Different than the more familiar wine regions on the western side of the island, nights in the east are typically cooler thanks to the mountains rising from the sea, shortening sun exposure and thus preserving freshness and aromatics in the wines.

Madame Vanucci’s first vintage was 2005, before which the grapes were in the hands of the local cooperative. Since the beginning, Mother Nature has mentored Clos Fornelli in their mission to produce low-intervention, high-pleasure wines that reveal the characteristics of grape and place. Aiming to keep yields under 45 hl/ha, they practice techniques such as Cordon de Royat pruning, the elimination of secondary buds to prevent future grapes from being choked by too much growth, and leaf pulling to promote ripening and aerate clusters. The combination of low yields and ripe grapes are key factors in bringing out the terroir." -Supplier notes