Chiesa Nera red 2023 Clos Venturi | Corsica

Clos Venturi’s Chiesa Nera red is a limited-production wine that perfectly embodies the spirit of Corsica’s native grape varieties. Produced from a small plot located on the estate’s higher elevations, this cuvée draws its strength from a rugged, unspoiled terroir that combines granite, sandstone, schist, and high altitude. The name “Chiesa Nera” refers to an ancient black-stone chapel nestled in the heart of the vineyard. This place inspires a wine that is both mineral and deep, guided by biodynamic viticulture and meticulous artisanal craftsmanship, carried out entirely by hand.

The blend for this cuvée features the iconic Niellucciu and Sciaccarellu, complemented by lesser-known native grape varieties suchas Aleatico, Minustellu, Carcaghjolu Neru, and Moresconu. Grown without inputs and vinified naturally, without added yeasts, the grapes are aged in amphorae and large oak casks, a process designed to respect the fruit’s identity. No filtration, no clarification: Chiesa Nera is a wine of pure expression, rooted in the Corsican landscape.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: Chiesa Nera is a vibrant tribute from Clos Venturi to Corsica’s winemaking heritage. The perfectly balanced blend delivers a wine with structure and density, as well as delicate texture and spicy freshness. The result is a wine that delights the palate. It is a captivating, subtle wine that invites you to slow down and reflect. This cuvée, as modern as it is sincere, confirms Clos Venturi’s high standards and ranks among the finest red wines of contemporary Corsica.

On the nose, this Chiesa Nera opens with aromas of wild strawberries, morello cherries, and white pepper. Notes of maquis, faded rose, and tobacco leaf emerge with aeration. The overall profile is expressive without being excessive, carried by a rare aromatic finesse.

On the palate, the attack is supple, almost caressing, marked by a refreshing natural freshness. The tannins are fine and well-integrated, giving way to flavors of red berries, cinnamon, and maquis herbs. The body, fluid and elegantly textured, lingers into a precise finish, tinged with noble oak. This is a wine that unfolds slowly, gaining complexity with aeration.