Domaine Comte Abbatucci

In the Corsican wine world, Domaine Abbatucci is undeniably one of the most emblematic producers of the region. With a history spanning several centuries, it is one of the oldest wine estates in Corsica. The Abbatucci family arrived on the island in the 15th century. It was during the 16th century that they founded a family estate, complete with a cellar. Although they planted vines on several plots of land and carried out viticultural work, their members did not devote themselves entirely to this activity. Their production was mainly intended for local or family consumption.

Learning the art of vine cultivation from his parents and workers on the family vineyard, in the 1920s Jacques Abbatucci planted about 5 hectares of Nielluccio, Sciaccarello, Carcajolo and Barbarossa grape varieties. This terroir was to form the basis of Domaine Abbatucci.

Preserving the family tradition and inheriting the family know-how, his son Antoine Abbatucci took over the reigns of the estate in the 1960s and increased the area of planted vines.

After ten years at the head of the estate, Antoine, who was also President of the Corsican Chamber of Agriculture, became aware of the threat to the island's wine heritage. Indeed, at that time, the cultivation of local grape varieties was disappearing in the mountain villages. He therefore decided to set up a process to preserve and promote the indigenous Corsican grape varieties on his estate (Vermentino, Genovese, Barbarossa, Morescono, Aleatico, etc.). Since 1992, the estate has been run by his son Jean-Charles Abbatucci, continuing the work begun by his father.

Much more than just an estate, Domaine Abbatucci is a wine nursery and a veritable living museum retracing the history of the Corsican vine. To ensure the conservation of indigenous varieties and preserve the island's wine heritage, Antoine Abbatucci created a conservatory of Corsican grape varieties, thus constituting the first Corsican ampelographic reserve. Meeting with various farmers, he recovered the remains of wild vines in certain properties, which had been abandoned. Antoine replanted these vines on a single plot of land, on a granite arena hillside. Today, the Domaine Abbatucci vineyard covers about 20 hectares. A real treasure for the Corsican wine heritage and reflecting the typicality of the island's vineyards, this land is planted with a unique collection of no less than 18 endemic grape varieties. In addition to the famous Vermentino, Sciaccarello and Nielluccio, the Abbatucci family cultivates the white varieties:

• Bianco Gentile
• Barbarossa
• Biancone
• Brustiano
• Carcajolo Bianco
• Genovese
• Paga Debbiti
• Rossola Brandinca

• Rossola Bianca
• Riminese

Among the red grape varieties, we find:

• Aleatico
• Carcajolo Nera
• Minustello
• Morescola
• Morescono
• Montanaccia

The Domaine Abbatucci vineyard is exceptionally rich and is the meeting point of three natural sources. Benefiting from a privileged location on the heights of the Taravo valley, south of Ajaccio, the estate enjoys a beautiful northern exposure. Such conditions guarantee an optimal maturation of the grapes. Thanks to the quality of the granite terroir, the wines of the estate are characterised by a beautiful minerality and an incomparable freshness. Jean-Charles Abbatucci is committed to adapting himself even more to the soil and climate of the region. Taking particular care with this plant richness, he seeks to further improve Abbatucci wines, particularly in terms of finesse. This is so that these white wines, red wines or rosé wines are classified among the best Corsican wines, even among the wines of the South.

Particularly attached to the Corsican soil and truly passionate, Jean-Charles Abbatucci's main aim is to express the potential of these granitic arena lands and to reveal the character of each grape variety in his wines, which are made with the greatest respect. The use of practices that respect the vines and the soil has always been at the heart of his concerns, and Jean-Charles has taken the estate to a higher level by cultivating it biodynamically since 2000. He decided to turn to traditional viticulture to maximise the potential of the family vineyard. By focusing on biodynamic viticulture, this family business is making the most of its rare collection of endemic grape varieties.

As such, Jean-Charles carries out a great deal of work on massal selection and the establishment of rootstocks that are best adapted to the terroir and the climate. In order to produce high quality Abbatucci wines that reflect the character of the Corsican terroir, he also takes meticulous care of the soil and the plantations, using plant and mineral-based preparations.

The periods of work carried out within the framework of the maintenance of the vineyard are also defined according to the cycles of the lunar calendar. At Domaine Abbatucci, ploughing by horse is a common practice. Moreover, the vines are permanently under grass. In addition, to limit mechanical maintenance, a flock of sheep graze in the vineyards during the winter. In addition, the grapes are harvested by hand. In the cellar, Jean-Charles Abbatucci relies on a more hands-off vinification method. He also favours the exclusive use of indigenous yeasts for a natural fermentation. Jean-Charles is constantly striving to improve his techniques, taking particular care with his grape varieties. He also seeks to be as close to nature as possible in order to express the traditional flavours of the Corsican terroir through his wines. Nowadays all the techniques used by this great enthusiast allow wines with more precision, definition and balance, rising to the top of the greatest Corsican wines.

In 2000, Jean-Charles Abbatucci wanted to highlight the richness of the Corsican terroir by fighting for the introduction of forgotten grape varieties, recognised at the time by the INAO (National Institute of Origin and Quality). However, certain varieties such as the red Minustello or Carcajolo Nero and the white Biancu Gentile are only authorised up to 10% in the final blend. On the other hand, the blend must contain more than 75% Vermentino for white wines, and more than 50% Sciaccarello and Nielluccio for red wines. Faced with this regulation, Jean-Charles Abbatucci produces the Collection cuvée as a Vin de France. Furthermore, in 2013, he chose to release all of the estate's vintages under the Ajaccio AOC. Going off the beaten track, he now produces Vin de France, but remains particularly conservative by favouring indigenous Corsican grape varieties to produce his characterful cuvées.

Today, the Domaine Abbatucci has a range of exceptional wines, named after great men of the Abbatucci lineage. These vintages pay tribute to General Jean-Charles Abbatucci, one of the 558 officers of the Empire, whose name is engraved under the Arc de Triomphe. His brother was a diplomat, while one of his nephews was Minister of Justice under Napoleon III.

Among the fine wines of this estate are:

• The Faustine Vieilles Vignes cuvée: this cuvée is available in rosé, red and white. Made exclusively from Sciaccarellu, the Faustine Vieilles Vignes rosé wine reveals delicate aromas of citrus and red fruits. On the palate, there is a slight touch of English sweets, enveloped by notes of peach and apricot. Brilliantly complex, the Faustine Rouge develops aromas of red and small black fruits. The palate is marked by notes of wild berries, fine spices and pepper.

• The Diplomate d'Empire cuvée: ranked among the greatest white wines of Corsica, this cuvée is a blend of Vermentino, Bianco Gentile, Genovese, Brustiano and Rossola Bianca grapes. It reflects the expression of each cuvée, resulting in an intense aromatic bouquet dominated by fruity aromas punctuated by the scent of maquis. On the palate, this wine combines freshness, vivacity and power.
• The Ministre Impérial cuvée: a red wine of character, this cuvée is a blend of Sciaccarello, Nielluccio, Morescola, Morescono, Montanaccia, Carcajolo Nero and Aléatico grapes. Powerful and fresh on the nose, this wine develops notes of small red fruits, progressing to subtle woody and mineral notes. On the palate, it seduces with its fine tannins and its persistent and complex length on the finish.
• The General de la Révolution cuvée: this wine is a blend of Vermentino, Rossola Brandinca, Riminese, Carcajolo Bianco, Biancone and Paga Debiti grapes. Varieties that are both rare and have powerful aromas! This complex, white fine wine offers a very fresh aromatic palate combining buttery white fruit and citrus notes with a mineral edge. It reveals discreet woody aromas and is full-bodied, rich and persistent on the palate.

Expressing the potential of the greatest terroirs of Corsica, the wines of Domaine Abbatucci are surprising in their complexity, finesse, balance, harmony and power. Exceptional vintages that are a must to discover on Vinatis!