Campo di Magna 2022 | Wine Estate of Vaccelli
Domaine de Vaccelli’s Campo di Magna 2022 stands at the pinnacle of Gérard Courrèges’ lineup of single-vineyard white wines. This fine-dining white wine, produced south ofAjaccio in Corsica, is made from old Vermentinu vines planted in 1964, whose roots reach deep into granitic soils shaped by centuries of erosion. It is a wine that rewards patience, and this is evident from the very first sip.
Terroir and Grape Variety
The vines grow on deep granite-rich sandy soils —a well-drained, nutrient-poor soil that forces the vines to dig deep to find water. This challenge is a blessing: it concentrates the wine’s aromas and forges an extraordinary minerality. The rocky slopes, generously bathed in Mediterranean sunshine, bring ripeness without compromising the freshness of Vermentino—the island’s iconic white grape variety—which here fully expresses the unique character of Corsican granite. Nowhere else does it reveal itself with such depth.
Viticulture and Winemaking
The vineyard has been managed using organic farming methods certified by Ecocert since 2019. The grapes are harvested by hand. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, without any adjustment. The wine undergoes ageing for twelve months on fine lees in large vats and demi-muids, followed by an additional seven months in stainless steel tanks. This extended time on lees enriches the texture, adds body, and preserves the wine’s vitality. The wine is not fined; light filtration may be applied depending on the vintage. A work of art.
Campo di Magna 2022 | Wine Estate of Vaccelli: the sommelier’s review
Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin
Among Corsica’s great white wines, Campo di Magna stands out with quiet authority. It does not seek to charm immediately. The 1964-planted vines give it a body that younger vines cannot yet match. It is precisely this depth, combined with the minerality of the granite-rich sandy soils, that makes it one of the most distinctive whites of the Ajaccio appellation. It is expected to reach its peak drinking period between 2027 and 2034: patience will be well rewarded. If you can’t wait that long, decanting it for half an hour at 10°C will allow it to open up gracefully.
The Nose
The nose initially reveals juicy pear and white peach, ripe without being overripe. This is followed by hints of fresh almond and toasted hazelnut—subtle yet persistent. Aromas of candied citrus—somewhere between citron and grapefruit—emerge as the wine breathes. A hint of orange blossom adds a light, floral sweetness. The finish is mineral, with notes of flint, clean and precise.
On the palate
On the palate, the attack is silky, with a dense, well-structured body. A lively, perfectly integrated acidity energizes the whole without ever becoming harsh. Orchard fruits blend with more exotic notes of mango and candied citrus. Toasted hazelnut takes on slightly smoky and camphor-like notes in the mid-palate. The finish lingers on a long, spicy, mouth-watering mineral backbone of granite.
The Ajaccio appellation: an exceptional terroir for white wines
The Ajaccio appellation, nestled in the gulf of the same name in southwestern Corsica, is one of France’s most exclusive. It rests almost exclusively on granite soils, a geological feature that profoundly shapes the profile of its white wines. Vermentino is the benchmark white grape variety here. Here, it expresses a mineral tension and aromatic freshness that limestone terroirs do not allow. Yields, naturally limited by the poor soil, add to the wines’ concentration.
The Campo di Magna 2022 is fully representative of what the appellation can produce at its very best. The 1964-planted vineyard, the deep granite sands, and the long ageing in large vats make this a wine that transcends mere regional typicity. It embodies a vision of the Corsican white wine for fine dining: deep, taut, and deeply rooted in its terroir.
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