Marquiliani Rosé “Le Rosé de Pauline” 2023

Region: Corsica, France

Grape Varieties: 80% Sciaccarellu, 15% Vermentinu & 5% Syrah

The Amalric family purchased this estate in the 1950’s after it had been ravaged by fire and abandoned for twenty years by the previous owners. Anne’s father, Daniel, quickly earned great praise for his wines and was one of the first to plant Niellucciu (a synonym for Sangiovese) and Syrah vines on the cooler, eastern side of the island. When Anne joined Daniel in 1995, after a few years as a chemist in France, she first focused on planting olive and almond trees. Once they began receiving acclaim for their superb olive oil she turned her attention to the vineyards, adding substantial plantings of Sciaccarellu vines to their holdings. Sciaccarellu is often described as a native Corsica variety but is actually Mammolo, a very old red variety from Tuscany. This variety is known for the gorgeous bouquet of the wines and lively acidity, both great attributes for Rosé.

The conditions on the eastern side of Corsica are ideal for Rosé wine production. One of the tallest peaks on the island, Monte Renosu (7700 FAS) is nearby and the cool winds roll off the mountain every afternoon to create chilly evenings. The soils are very poor, a mix if schist and granite, so vines struggle to produce a small crop but the grapes have super intensity of flavor. For this wine the grapes are hand harvested and destemmed, then allowed to soak with the juice for 72 hours to extract color. The juice is then racked to another tank where it goes through fermentation but malolactic conversion is blocked to retain freshness. This cuvée is named for Anne’s daughter Pauline and the blend is 80% Sciaccarellu, 15% Vermentinu and 5% Syrah.

Serve this wine closer to refrigerator temperature but decant for a few minutes. Like a classic Mediterranean Rosé this one shows red fruits with a high pitch; strawberry, red currant and cranberry, with hints of tangerine peel and pink sea salt. Importer Kermit Lynch describes this wine as “drinking a cloud” and it is easy to see why. There is a weightlessness to the palate but surprisingly obvious fruit and mineral flavors, with a gripping finish. Good now this one will age for a few years, to be served with peel and eat shrimp, grilled swordfish or a classic pork pâté.