Domaine Yves Leccia, d'E Croce Patrimonio Cuvée Ose Rosé, 2020
Domaine Yves Leccia, d'E Croce Patrimonio Cuvée Ose Rosé, 2020
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- Rosé Still
- Grenache, Nielluciu
- Organic
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2027
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% Niellucciu, 20% Grenache Planted in 1999, Clay, Limestone, Schist, 4.6 ha Sweeter, fruitier nose than YL, peaches are now ripe! Rose petals, lemon sherbert The refreshing salinity is still there but balanced by galia melon and honeysuckle sweetness, a lick of orange peel tannins and orange bitters. Stricter than some rosé but enough ripeness - no traces of bubblegum of confection"
Tom Harrow
This rosé is for now, to capture its vibrant primary fruit. The ripe peach and raspberry aromatics are at their peak now, whilst the balancing salinity and mineral structure will maintain freshness until 2027. The orange peel tannins provide enough backbone for the wine to hold its shape, but extended cellaring would only diminish the very qualities that make it so appealing. Drink this while dreaming of Corsican beaches and Mediterranean sunshine.
What the critics say:
"Gorgeous, bold rosehip colour. Bravo! Big, equally bold raspberry-cream aromas. A great thwack of ripe, pink-red berry fruit, swirling fresh fruit in with candied fruit, poached fruit, jellied fruit. Dibbed with lemon-sherbet acidity. Finishing dry and inside the white lines of ruby-grapefruit-pith bitterness. I love the audacious, unpretentious but generous simplicity of this wine. It tastes of sunshine and fruit and blue skies, and all you want with it is a stretch of sand and some charcuterie. (TC)"
Tasting Notes
AppearanceBold rosehip colour with copper highlights.
NoseRipe peaches and rose petals leap from the glass with lemon sherbet brightness. There's a sweeter, fruitier character than expected, with honeysuckle and galia melon adding richness. A hint of Mediterranean herbs lingers underneath.
PalateA great thwack of pink-red berry fruit swirls between fresh, candied and jellied textures. The refreshing salinity typical of Corsican wines balances the melon and honeysuckle sweetness perfectly. Orange peel tannins add structure without heaviness, while lemon-sherbet acidity keeps everything lively.
FinishDry and precise with ruby grapefruit pith bitterness and a lick of orange bitters.
Overall impressionAudaciously generous rosé that tastes of sunshine, fruit and blue skies.
Food Pairings
In Corsica, this rosé would grace tables laden with wild boar charcuterie, especially lonzu and coppa made from free-roaming pigs that feast on chestnuts and acorns. Local goat cheeses like brocciu pair beautifully, as do grilled langoustines caught off the coast near Patrimonio. The wine's structure can handle aziminu, Corsica's answer to bouillabaisse, whilst its fruit complements the island's famous Cavaillon melons. On warm summer evenings, it's perfect alongside pissaladière topped with Corsican anchovies and wild herbs from the maquis.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C to preserve the wine's refreshing salinity and bright acidity. No need to decant, but do use proper wine glasses rather than tumblers to capture the generous aromatics. This wine shines when served outdoors on warm days, where the Mediterranean sunshine that created it can be properly appreciated. Open and pour immediately, as the fruit is at its most exuberant when first released from the bottle.
The d'E Croce vineyard sits on a complex mix of schist, clay, and limestone soils that define Patrimonio's finest sites. This geological diversity provides excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture for the vines during Corsica's hot, dry summers. The Mediterranean climate, tempered by coastal breezes, allows for slow, even ripening that preserves the natural acidity essential for structured rosé. The schist adds mineral backbone whilst the limestone contributes elegance and finesse.
Patrimonio was Corsica's first AOC, granted in 1968, and remains the island's most prestigious appellation. The regulations are strict: reds must be at least 90% Niellucciu, whilst rosés require a minimum 75% of this native grape. The appellation sits on the northern tip of Corsica, where the combination of limestone-rich soils and Mediterranean climate creates wines with more structure and ageing potential than most other Corsican regions. Unlike the more rustic wines found elsewhere on the island, Patrimonio produces elegant, refined bottles that can rival the best of Provence.
The 2020 vintage in Corsica delivered something rather special after a growing season that kept vignerons on their toes. Spring arrived with welcome rainfall that replenished the island's water reserves, followed by a warm, dry summer that allowed the indigenous varieties to ripen slowly and steadily. The key was avoiding the extreme heat that can bake Corsica's vineyards into submission—2020 struck that balance beautifully, giving winemakers clean, healthy fruit with superb concentration.
What emerged were wines with real personality and vigour. The reds show magnificent colour and structure—Nielluccio produced wines with firm tannins and savoury depth, while Sciaccarello delivered its trademark spicy charm with added weight and richness. The whites, particularly Vermentino, have lovely tension between ripe fruit and crisp acidity that makes them irresistible now but promises they'll age gracefully too. We think the 2020s are drinking superbly already, though the best reds will reward patience until 2025 and beyond.
FAQs
What does this rosé taste like?
Think ripe peaches and rose petals with galia melon sweetness, balanced by refreshing salinity and a dry finish with orange peel bitterness. This is rosé with proper structure and character.
When should I drink this wine?
Drink now while the fruit is at its most vibrant. This wine is built for immediate pleasure and should be enjoyed by 2028 to capture its exuberant primary character.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Perfect with charcuterie, grilled seafood, or goat cheese. The wine's structure can handle heartier fare than typical rosé, making it ideal for Mediterranean cuisine and outdoor dining.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C in proper wine glasses. No need to decant, just open and pour immediately to capture the generous aromatics at their peak.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
No, this rosé is designed for immediate enjoyment. Its charm lies in youthful fruit expression and vibrant acidity that would be diminished by extended cellaring.
What makes this different from other rosés?
This comes from Corsica's most prestigious appellation and features the native Niellucciu grape, giving it more structure and mineral character than typical Provence rosés whilst maintaining generous fruit appeal.
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