Domaine Comte Abbatucci : Empire 2016

An Ultra Brut crafted with precision by Domaine Abbatucci

The estate
Located at an altitude of more than 100 metres, Comte Abbatucci traces its origins back over a century. Through its cuvées, it pays tribute to its illustrious family figures (a general of the French Revolution, a diplomat, a minister under the reign of Napoleon III), whose destinies have left their mark on the family's history. Committed to preserving this exceptional island terroir, the estate cultivates indigenous grape varieties that lend its wines a unique character.
Since 2000, the entire vineyard has been farmed biodynamically, in order to enhance the characteristics of a unique Corsican terroir while preserving an exceptional natural environment.

The vineyard
Produced as a Vin de France, the Empire 2016 cuvée from Domaine Abbatucci comes from a 2-hectare vineyard. Planted between 1960 and 1962, the north-west-facing vines grow on granitic soil.

Winemaking and ageing
Harvested by hand into small crates, the grapes are rigorously sorted in the vineyard and then again in the cellar.
Direct pressing of whole bunches is followed by 24 to 48 hours of static settling, then fermentation in a 1,200-litre foudre.
Ageing on fine lees lasts 4 months. After the secondary fermentation using the natural method, the wine is aged for a further 12 months on lees in bottle before being released.

Blend
Empire 2016 from Comte Abbatucci is made exclusively from the Barbarossa grape variety.