Domaine Sant Armettu - L'Ermite de Sant Armettu 2023
L’Ermite de Sant Armettu Rouge 2023 establishes itself as the emblematic cuvée of the estate, a deep and refined interpretation of Sciaccarellu on granite arenas. The dense red robe with ruby reflections announces a wine of stature, but the nose first seduces with its finesse, blending ripe red fruits, black cherry, blueberry, and a touch of myrtle that immediately recalls the Corsican maquis. In the background, fine spice notes, white pepper, and light floral touches reveal themselves, bringing complexity and elegance. On the palate, the attack is ample, carried by generous fruit but perfectly held by a natural freshness that avoids any heaviness. The texture is velvety, with a very fine tannin grain that envelops the palate without ever tightening it. The finish, long and harmonious, stretches over notes of spices, dry garrigue, and deep red fruits, leaving an impression of depth and mastery.
Upon aeration, L’Ermite 2023 gains even more relief, unveiling nuances of bay laurel, myrtle berry, blond tobacco, and warm stone that testify to the singular personality of this Sartène terroir. The cellar work, precise and measured, favors gentle extractions to allow the Sciaccarellu to express its aromatic finesse more than its raw power. The long aging, patiently conducted between large containers and vats, refines the material, polishes the tannins, and brings additional depth without marking the wine with ostentatious wood. The palate thus retains great fruit clarity, supported by a fresh framework that gives momentum and verticality to the whole. This combination of density and tension marks an island red that is both intense, refined, and highly precise. Each glass tells the story of the meeting between an emblematic grape variety, a steep granite terroir, and a contemporary vision of Corsican wine.
L’Ermite de Sant Armettu Rouge 2023 is crafted for gastronomy as much as for great occasions, particularly in good years when its balance is exemplary from youth. It will wonderfully accompany a herb-crusted rack of lamb from the maquis, a grilled beef cut, roasted guinea fowl, or Mediterranean cuisine with sunny accents. Its velvety structure and refined aromatic profile also make it an excellent partner for characterful plant-based cuisine, around roasted vegetables, mushrooms, or cereals with mild spices. Already very appealing today for its fruit brightness, depth, and indulgence, it also has the potential to gain complexity over a few years, developing notes of fine leather, dry garrigue, and stewed black fruits. It is a red of character, serious without being austere, embodying the most accomplished dimension of Sciaccarellu in Sartène and confirming the estate’s status as a reference on the Isle of Beauty.
Grape variety: Sciaccarellu
