Antoine Arena's mission has been to make the best his land can offer. He started identifying the best parcels and vinifying them separately long before this was so important in Corsica.  He has always worked the vines organically and vinifies without additional sulfur. 

Morta Maio translates as “The Eldest Myrtle.” Morta = Myrtle in Corsican, the shrub that makes up the bulk of the vegetation in Patrimonio, and this parcel, which has belonged to the Arena family for over 400 years, immediately surrounds their home. Home to 100% Nielluccio planted in 2001, this is one of the more approachable cuvées.  Even at this age, the Mora Maio jumps from the glass with red fruit & hay, sweet hay.  If cold, salted butter had a smell, this would be it.  There is a savory and salty element on the nose and palate that continues to draw you back in, not lactic but savory.  Once open, the fruitiness calms itself the wine enters the Nebbiolo wanna-be phase that I find in Sangiovese from Corsica. 

Grape: Nielluccio, Planted in 2001, 2 ha (Nielluccio is Sangiovese)

Soil: Limestone & clay

Viticulture: Organic