Brett happens

Vin de Corse–Figari 2010, Clos Canarelli ($36.75, 11794521)
A blend of biodynamically farmed Niellucciu (80%), Syrah (15%) and Sciaccarellu (5%) from 13-year-old vines. Manually harvested. Fully destemmed. Fermented (with indigenous yeasts) and matured in large foudres for 14 to 18 months with daily punch-downs during fermentation. Unfiltered and unfined. 13.5% ABV.
Brooding nose of maquis, ink, red and black fruit, black tea and bitter chocolate. Dense but not heavy, redolent of dark plum and spice, with bedrock minerals and a gamey note. Firm round tannins, fluent acidity and a long, savoury finish round out the ideally proportioned package. Impressive if a little monolithic at this stage in its development. Stick it in a cellar for five or ten years or carafe several hours if serving now. (Buy again? Definitely.)

Patrimonio 2010, Domaine d’E Croce, Yves Leccia ($30.00, 10783213)
Nielluciu (90%) and Grenache (10%) from 20- to 40-year-old vines in the E Croce lieu-dit. Manually harvested, sorted by clusters, destemmed and crushed. Fermented in stainless steel tanks at 25 to 30ºC with daily pump-overs. After 12 to 15 days, the grapes are pressed and the free run and press juices are blended. Matured at least 12 months in stainless steel tanks. Lightly filtered before bottling. 13.5% ABV.
A less intense and opaque red-purple than the other two wines in the flight. Appealing if odd nose of red and black berries, fresh raw kidney and hints of sandalwood and licorice. Medium-bodied with a fluid texture. The ripe fruit is structured by fine tannins and smooth acidity and has some earthy/minerally depth. Clean finish. Fully accessible now, this suave wine is reputed to improve with up to a decade or two of age; given its purity and balance, that claim doesn’t seem outlandish. (Buy again? Yes.)

Vin de Corse–Calvi 2010, Ribbe Rosse, Clos Culombu ($38.00, 11910376)
A 50-50 blend of Sciaccarellu and Niellucciu. Long (40 days) fermenation and maceration in 500-litre oak barrels. 14.5% ABV.
Complex and beguiling. A fine savoury mouthful of pure, sweet-cored red fruit with overtones of maquis, dried earth and spice. Bright acidity adds freshness, puckery tannins push the silky texture toward satin and the long finish brings a charry note. The alcohol is not apparent. Surprisingly accessible though clearly cellar-worthy. (Buy again? Yes.)