Sirocco white 2024 Domaine de Vaccelli | Corsica

Sirocco white 2024 | Vaccelli

The 2024 white Sirocco from Domaine de Vaccelli is a cuvée that should never have existed—at least, not in this form. Due to a series of devastating weather events (pest pressure in the spring, hailstorms in the summer), the 2024 vintage yielded such low volumes that Gérard Courrèges, winemaker and grandson of the founder, made the radical decision to blend into a single bottle the wines usually intended for his various single-vineyard selections. Only one micro-parcel could be set aside, giving rise to the extraordinary Granit 174 cuvée.

The result is an ephemeral cuvée, exclusive by necessity and a collector’s item by nature. It embodies the very essence of this exceptional wine estate, located in Cognocoli-Monticchi, south of the Ajaccio appellation.

Terroirs and Grape Varieties

The grapes come from the Chioso Novo, Aja Donica, and Campo di Magna vineyards, as well as from plots usually reserved for the Vaccelli, Granit, and Quartz cuvées. All share the same foundation: granitic sand—a decomposed, well-drained, and nutrient-poor substrate that forces the vines to draw water from deep underground. It is this substrate that shapes the wine’s taut minerality. The blend features the typical indigenous grape varieties: Vermentinu, Carcaghjolu bianco, Genovese, Riminese, and Cudiverta. These varieties, which are extremely rare outside the island, each contribute a distinct facet: mineral freshness, acidity, body, and aromatic complexity. Together, they create a crisp and crystal-clear profile unlike any other in the appellation.

Viticulture and Winemaking

The wine estate has been certified organic since 2019. Vineyard work is done by hand, with modest yields ranging from 30 to 40 hl/ha. The grapes are harvested by hand during a hand harvest. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, without any external additions. Ageing takes place in a variety of vessels: demi-muids, barrels, and stainless steel tanks. This diversity of vessels reflects the cuvée’s composite origin, with each lot following its own path before blending.

Sirocco white 2024 | Vaccelli: The Sommelier’s Review

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin

This wine resonates with me precisely because it was born out of a challenge. Far from being exaggerated, its rarity is the raw reality of a difficult vintage, reflecting the upheavals experienced by vineyards around the world. The 2024 white Sirocco encapsulates in a single bottle what Vaccelli has done best for years: a crisp, granitic minerality, a finely chiseled tension, and a purely Corsican identity.

Praised by the *Revue des Vins de France* for its balance and refined structure, this wine will be best enjoyed at its peak drinking period, expected between 2027 and 2034. Until then, decanting for about twenty minutes and serving at 11°C will allow it to fulfill its full potential.

The Nose

The nose opens with fresh citrus—citron and candied lemon—along with a subtle floral touch. A note of roasted pear lingers in the background. Granitic minerality—warm stone with a hint of iodine—permeates the entire profile. The profile remains taut, without excessive body.

Palate

On the palate, the attack is precise and clean. The texture is refined, supported by a lively acidity that propels the wine forward. The body is present without ever feeling heavy. The finish lingers on a persistent mineral salinity, a direct hallmark of the granite sands of Cognocoli-Monticchi. A dry white wine that doesn’t seek to seduce easily—it convinces.