Clos Canarelli, Figari, Corsica
Winemaker Yves Canarelli, alongside Antoine Arena and Comte Abbatucci, belongs to the absolute elite of Corsica. He took over the family business in the 90s and immediately switched to organic and biodynamic winemaking. He also brought back old, nearly forgotten grape varieties — with stunning results.
Canarelli farms about 30 hectares in Figari (granite soil) and 5 hectares near Bonifacio on rare limestone soil. The cellar is hyper-modern, featuring temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, as well as oak barriques, foudres, and — trending once again — concrete eggs and amphorae.
Style
Canarelli's wines are full-bodied, rich, and elegant all at once. Many a sommelier is lyrical about them. The grapes — Niellucciu, Sciaccarellu, and Grenache for red and rosé, Vermentinu for white — grow on granite soils in the far south of Corsica, the AOC Figari wine region. Great finesse, many flavors and layers, perfect balance.
