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Corsican Featherweight Champion of the World: Marquiliani Rosé of Sciaccarellu

Corsican Featherweight Champion of the World: Marquiliani Rosé of Sciaccarellu

Marquiliani's rosé of Sciaccarellu from the east coast of Corsica is personally the most highly anticipated rosé release of the year. There's a wide range of rosés I buy annually, and even have favorite pairings for each, but the one that's captured my heart above all is this pale copper hued, diamond cut gem.

The native Sciaccarellu grape is grown here on decomposed granite terraces a couple miles from the Mediterranean, and just below the towering 8,000 foot Mount Renosu - ensuring cool breezes to balance out the island's hot summer temperatures. 

Along with her father Daniel, Anne Almaric tends the minuscule 2 hectare of vines that her family took over in the 1950's. There was a 20 year span where this 200 year-old domaine had remained abandon. Daniel was a pioneer, the first to plant Sciaccarellu on the eastern side of the island. Anne's background in agricultural chemistry lent a keen eye toward viticulture and the vines have prospered under her watch. Some of the greatest rosés in the world come from domaines that produce red, white, and pink wines, but here each single grape grown is destined to be rosé. 

Marquiliani speaks from a very extreme edge of the general rosé landscape. It's wickedly precise with an undeniable laser-like focus through its finish. Mouth-watering and mineral infused, with a texture that is so fine if you think to hard it may just vanish completely. The fruit spectrum is very much in the citrus realm, with grapefruit, faint passionfruit, and jasmine notes always hallmarks. 

Importer Kermit Lynch's comment on Almaric's rosé may be his very most recognized, 

"Drinking her rosé is like drinking a cloud. There's an absolute weightlessness to it. Nothing is left on the palate but perfume."

Corsicans don't let much of this leave the island, so when given the opportunity each year I bring in as much as possible.

2015 Marquiliani Rosé
$29 per bottle.
A year after release, this warm vintage has developed beautifully in bottle. Acidity has softened and the floral characteristics have turned more pronounced and vibrant. 


2016 Marquiliani Rosé 
$29 per bottle.
A return back to more temperate weather, where brightness of fruit is highlighted and the typical linear nature of the wine is back front and center.
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