Antoine Arena, "Patrimonio Rosé" 2017

1 BOTTLE/CUSTOMER

Rare rosé from zero/zero Corsican legend Antoine Arena. Old-vine Nielluciu. 12%ABV.

From the importer, Kermit Lynch:

Antoine Arena’s rosé is a rare treat only produced in certain years, but this just-released 2017 is even more unusual. When this saignée of Niellucciu did not finish its fermentation, Antoine left it in tank hoping that it would eventually wake up and consume its last few grams of sugar. It bubbled away at a glacial pace until his son, Antoine-Marie, passed the wine over some pomace (marc) from the 2021 harvest. This sort of ripasso succeeded in boosting the yeasts, allowing the 2017 rosé to finally complete its fermentation to full dryness.
     This creative technique also had the effect of brightening up the wine, which tastes fresh as a daisy despite being more than five years old. It is bursting with fresh berry fruit in a darker style that blurs the lines between dark pink and light red.