Clos Venturi : Chiesa Nera 2023

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Chiesa Nera 2023 by Clos Venturi

Tasting

Colour
The wine displays a deep garnet-red hue with delicate purple highlights, offering fine visual density without excessive opacity.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with intense notes of red and black fruits such as morello cherry, plum and wild strawberry. With aeration, it reveals a distinctly island identity through scents of maquis, thyme and rosemary, complemented by spicy touches of pepper, clove and liquorice, as well as subtle mineral nuances reminiscent of graphite or soot.

Palate
The attack is fleshy and flavourful, introducing a dense, elegantly structured body. Well-coated tannins support a mid-palate that gradually gains in volume. The remarkably persistent finish lingers on aromas of black fruits and Mediterranean herbs.

Food and wine pairings
This gastronomic wine pairs beautifully with fine meats and characterful dishes. It will elevate a duck breast tournedos Rossini, a grilled beef hanger steak, game in sauce or Mediterranean recipes fragrant with aromatic herbs.

Serving and cellaring
To fully appreciate the Chiesa Nera 2023, serve it at a temperature between 17 and 18°C, taking care to decant it in its youth to soften its tannins. With excellent ageing potential, this red wine can be cellared and enjoyed until around 2041.

Other characteristics
This red wine shows a well-balanced alcohol content of around 13.5%. It comes from demanding viticulture, certified organic and conducted according to biodynamic principles.

The authentic expression of a great red wine by Clos Venturi

The estate
Founded in 2005 when the finest terroirs of Domaine Vico were split off, Clos Venturi has established itself as a benchmark in Corsica. Located in Ponte-Leccia, in the heart of the mountains of this French island, the estate covers a vineyard of approximately 25 to 28 hectares. Run by Emmanuel Venturi since 2019, the domaine stands out for its fierce determination to showcase rare indigenous grape varieties. Through an environmentally respectful approach, certified organic and biodynamic, this producer crafts cuvées with a strong identity that reflect all the singularity and richness of island viticulture.

The vineyard
This cuvée comes from a small, confidential terraced plot on the mid-slope, set on sandstone soils. Lying below the Altare vines and overlooked by the ruins of an ancient black basalt church, these vines enjoy a Mediterranean climate refreshed by altitude. This unique terroir, classified as Vin de France for this cuvée, is distinguished by a field blend planted en foule that brings together eight local varieties, fostering a complex expression deeply rooted in its natural environment.

Vinification and ageing
The Chiesa Nera 2023 is harvested by hand. The berries, around 70% destemmed, then undergo a month-long maceration in large foudres, with daily punch-downs and the exclusive use of indigenous yeasts. Ageing lasts a total of twenty-four months, divided between one year in oak foudres and a further year in large amphorae. Finally, the wine rests in bottle for at least six months before release.

Grape varieties
This wine is the fruit of a field blend of seven red grape varieties and one white: Aleatico, Niellucciu, Sciaccarellu, Minustellu, Morescola, Carcaghjolu Neru, Moresconu and a touch of Vermentinu.