Granit 174 blanc 2024 Domaine de Vaccelli | Corsica

Granit 174 White 2024 | Domaine de Vaccelli

Granit 174 White 2024 is a micro-cuvée from Domaine de Vaccelli, nestled in the southern part ofthe Ajaccio appellation in Corsica. In 2022, when yields were extremely low and Gérard Courrèges was unable to produce all of his usual single-vineyard cuvées, he introduced this Granit 174 cuvée. In 2024, spring storms once again disrupted yields. As a result, no single-vineyard white cuvée was produced for this vintage. The entire harvest was then blended into a single cuvée: Sirocco 2024. The sole exception was this intra-parcel selection from the old Vermentinu vines that usually yield the Granit cuvée. A nectar as extraordinary as it is rare!

Terroir and Grape Variety

The plot is located on the highest part of the hill, at an elevation of 174 meters, facing due north. The soil consists ofgranitic sand: this weathered, poor, and well-draining granite forces the vines to draw water from deep underground. The nearby Corsican maquis and the sea spray, never far away, create a coastal microclimate that profoundly shapes the Vermentinu’s aromatic profile. It is this microclimate that expresses the site’s salinity, its tension, and its mineral energy.

Viticulture and Winemaking

The wine estate has practiced certified organic viticulture since 2019. The grapes are harvested by hand. Fermentation is spontaneous, driven solely by the indigenous yeasts present on the grape skins. Ageing lasts 18 months, primarily in demi-muids. Oaky notes are present but carefully managed: they provide structure without overpowering the wine. The wine contains sulfites.

Granit 174 White 2024 | Domaine de Vaccelli: The Sommelier’s Review

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin

This wine holds a special place in the Vaccelli lineup. It is the highest-ranking wine, both literally and figuratively. *Revue des Vins de France* praised its balance, its finely crafted structure, and its tension. I wholeheartedly agree with this assessment. Vermentino grown on granite is all about precision: too much ripeness and the wine becomes sluggish; too little, and the minerality veers toward austerity. Gérard Courrèges has achieved a rare balance here. The Granit 174 is best enjoyed starting in 2027, with an ideal drinking window between 2028 and 2034—enough time for the oak to integrate and the minerality to fully express itself. At the table, decant for half an hour at 12°C, and pair with shellfish or lobster.

The Nose

The nose opens with citron and citrus zest, clean and precise. Behind them, white flowers and a hint of almond. The minerality is present from the start: flint, iodine, sea spray. The granite speaks even before you take a sip.

Palate

On the palate, the structure is finely chiseled and taut, supported by a lively, coastal acidity. Crisp pear appears in the mid-palate, with an underlying mineral and stony core. The balance is complete: savory, yet light. The finish is long and dry, with a lingering salty aftertaste. A wine of its terroir, without pretense.

Ajaccio: Everything You Need to Know About This Appellation

The Ajaccio appellation stretches across the southwestern slopes of Corsica. The terroir is entirely granitic: weathered granite, exposed slopes, and steep gradients. Vermentino is the signature white grape variety here. The wines produced here bear the hallmark of this poor, well-drained soil: elegance, tension, and salty minerality.

In this Granit 174, the plot’s elevation, its rare northern exposure, the maquis, and the Mediterranean climate reinforce the terroir’s character and the appellation’s island identity.