Domaine Yves Leccia, d'E Croce YL Rouge, 2019
Domaine Yves Leccia, d'E Croce YL Rouge, 2019
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- Red Still
- Grenache, Nielluciu
- Organic
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2032
Over the last 20 years Yves has crafted a range of thrilling single vineyard wines in the schist clay limestone terroirs of Patrimonio and the results are quite extraordinary. The team does not use any oak in the cellar, but these are serious wines, loaded with terroir-driven character and all fully certified organic.
80% Grenache 20% Niellucciu, Planted in 1994 Clay, Limestone, Schist, 7.1 ha Cloves and all spice, tight red cherries, dried cranberries, fresh and juicy with a spicy herbal lift. Ripe, juicy, ethereal, almost Burgundian in the sweet red berry fruit and note of anise, toothsome but not aggressive, delicious.
Wine Guru Tom Harrow
Currently in its prime drinking window, showing beautiful integration of fruit and herbal complexity. The wine's fresh red berry character and spicy lift are at their peak now, with the silk-slip tannins providing perfect structure. Over the next 3-4 years, expect the wild edge to soften slightly while the mineral backbone becomes more pronounced. The Mediterranean herb character should remain vibrant throughout, though the primary fruit may give way to more earthy, garrigue-like complexity by 2030.
What the critics say:
"Ripe raspberry and salvia-leaf nose. This reminds me, in a wild, island, windswept way, of Pinot Noir. Silk-slip tannin elegance. A little wildness, a touch of kalamata olive, a little sweetness that is almost grapey, cola, in character. And there is freshly grated nutmeg. And crushed bay leaf. Complex and compelling. Little stories folded into each mouthful, is what I sense."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceBright ruby red with garnet highlights, clear and luminous in the glass.
NoseWild raspberry and salvia leaf leap from the glass with an almost Pinot Noir-like elegance. There's crushed bay leaf, fresh nutmeg, and a touch of kalamata olive that speaks to its Mediterranean origins. The aromatics have a windswept, island quality that's both refined and untamed.
PalateSilk-slip tannin elegance defines the mouthfeel, with ripe red cherry and cranberry fruit that has an almost grapey sweetness. Cola-like spice weaves through the middle palate, while dried herbs and anise provide lift and complexity. Despite its refinement, there's a wild edge that keeps you coming back for more.
FinishFresh and juicy with lingering spice and herbal notes that echo the Mediterranean landscape.
Overall impressionA wine that tells little stories in each mouthful, capturing Corsica's wild beauty in elegant, compelling form.
Food Pairings
In Corsica, this would be the perfect match for wild boar stew with chestnuts and herbs, or grilled lamb with local rosemary and thyme. The island's charcuterie, particularly coppa and lonzu, would pair beautifully with the wine's herbal complexity. Local cheeses like Brocciu or aged Corsican tomme would complement the wine's mineral backbone, while traditional dishes featuring myrtle and other maquis herbs would echo the wine's wild, windswept character.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to preserve the wine's fresh, herbal character and silky tannin structure. No need to decant as this is drinking beautifully now, though a gentle 30-minute breathing time will allow the aromatics to fully unfold. Use Burgundy-style glasses to capture the wine's elegant, Pinot Noir-like qualities while allowing the Mediterranean herbs to shine.
The d'E Croce vineyard sits on Patrimonio's signature schist clay limestone soils, which impart both mineral precision and herbal complexity to the wines. The Mediterranean climate, tempered by mountain breezes and proximity to the sea, creates ideal conditions for slow ripening. These ancient soils, combined with the island's unique microclimate, produce wines with remarkable freshness despite the warm growing conditions.
Patrimonio is Corsica's most prestigious appellation, established in 1968 and renowned for both reds and whites of exceptional character. The appellation's schist and limestone soils, combined with the local Niellucciu grape and international varieties like Grenache, create wines of distinctive Mediterranean personality. Unlike the more rustic wines found elsewhere on the island, Patrimonio produces elegant, age-worthy bottles that rival the finest from Provence and the southern Rhône.
We'll be honest: 2019 in Corsica doesn't command the same headlines as Burgundy or Bordeaux that year, but this Mediterranean island delivered wines with real character. The growing season brought enough warmth to ripen everything properly without the scorching heat that can flatten Corsican wines into jammy submission. Harvest timing proved crucial, with those who picked earlier capturing better freshness in their fruit.
The native varieties thrived particularly well - Nielluccio produced reds with proper backbone rather than the soft, tourist-friendly style that sometimes emerges in hotter years, while Vermentino achieved that brilliant balance between richness and minerality that makes Corsican whites so distinctive. Most 2019s are drinking beautifully now, showing their fruit while retaining enough structure to cellar until 2027 for the better reds. The whites hit their stride immediately and reward drinking over the next three years while their sea-spray freshness remains intact.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Wild raspberry and bay leaf with silky tannins and Mediterranean herbs - think elegant Pinot Noir with a Corsican twist.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking beautifully now and will remain at its peak until 2032, perfect for enjoying over the next 6 years.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Mediterranean dishes with herbs, grilled lamb, charcuterie, or wild boar - anything that echoes the wine's wild, herbal character.
Should I decant this wine?
No need to decant, though 30 minutes breathing time will help the aromatics open up beautifully.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
It's at its peak now, so we'd recommend enjoying it over the next few years rather than long-term cellaring.
What makes Corsican wine special?
The island's unique terroir combines Mediterranean warmth with mountain freshness, creating wines with both elegance and wild, untamed character.
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