Clos Fornelli Vin de Corse Blanc Vermentino, Corsica, France

A lifted and finely detailed expression of Corsica’s Vermentinu, Clos Fornelli Vin de Corse Blanc Vermentino, Corsica, France from 2025 builds on the clarity and balance seen across recent vintages, offering a more focused and energetic profile. With organic farming, native yeasts, and thoughtful élevage across multiple vessels, it continues to blend freshness and texture with precision, while the newer vintage leans more toward tension and mineral drive. This wine captures the distinct character of the Bravone River terraces, vibrant, saline, and increasingly refined with each release.

Product Details:

• Producer: Clos Fornelli
• Owners & Winemakers: Josée Vanucci and Fabrice Couloumère
• Grape Variety: 100% Vermentinu
• ABV: 13.5%
• Farming / Vineyard: Certified organic; vines grown on alluvial and schist soils mixed with clay and gravel in the Bravone valley; manual harvest; low yields and minimal intervention
• Fermentation & Elevage: Native yeast fermentations; aged sur lies in a mix of concrete egg vats, stainless steel vats, wooden muid, and amphora or older vessels; lees stirring for several months
• Sulphur / Malolactic: Minimal sulphiting at the start of harvest; depending on vintage and vessel, partial or full malolactic fermentation may occur
• Production Volume: Approximately 6,000 bottles

Sensory Description:

The 2025 opens with precise aromatics of citrus blossom, white flowers, and fresh lemon zest, accompanied by subtle green apple and a faint saline lift. Compared to the slightly rounder expressions we have seen from earlier vintages, this release shows more linearity and tension, with acidity playing a more prominent role in shaping the palate. The texture remains layered from lees aging, offering hints of creaminess beneath a firm mineral core. Notes of wet stone, citrus pith, and delicate almond emerge through the mid-palate, leading to a clean, persistent finish marked by salinity and freshness. The result is a wine that feels both refined and energetic, emphasizing clarity and structure.

Producer’s Background:

Clos Fornelli is a family property located on Corsica’s eastern flank above the plains near Aléria, farmed organically by owners and winemakers Josée Vanucci and Fabrice Couloumère. Working with traditional Corsican varieties, particularly Vermentinu, the estate focuses on expressing terroir through minimal intervention and careful vineyard management. Fermentations rely on native yeasts, ageing is conducted in a range of neutral vessels, and sulphur use is restrained. Over multiple vintages, the domaine has refined its approach, producing wines that increasingly highlight precision, site expression, and drinkability.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve chilled, around 54 to 57°F, to highlight its lifted aromatics and mineral structure. Excellent with shellfish such as oysters and clams, grilled fish with herbs, fresh goat cheese, or light poultry dishes with citrus accents. Also pairs beautifully with Mediterranean cuisine, especially dishes featuring olive oil, lemon, and fresh herbs. A compelling choice for those who appreciate terroir-driven white wines with both texture and tension.