Region: Sardinia, Italy

Varietal: 85% Carignano, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot

Tasting notes: With a deep violet color, the wine displays clean; on the nose elegant aromas of spices, wild herbs and mature red fruits. On the palate, the wine is soft and elegant, a unique blend of sage, myrtle, rosemary, vanilla flavors and fine tannins. Notes of red fruits, pepper and liquorice add an interesting spiciness before a harmonious and persistent finish.

Producer: An undertaking between world renowned names in the winemaking business, Agricola Punica is a joint venture between Dr. Sebastiano Rosa, Sardinian winery Cantina Sociale di Santadi, Tenuta San Guido, Santadi President Antonello Pilloni and legendary Tuscan consulting oenologist Giacomo Tachis. The ties among these entities are many. In collaboration with Mario Incisa della Rocchetta and his son Nicoló, Tachis was instrumental in the development of Sassicaia, the ground-breaking “Super Tuscan” wine produced at Tenuta San Guido since the 1960s. From the first time Tachis visited the island, he was convinced of Sardinia’s outstanding winemaking potential. In the mid 1980s, he began to consult for the Sardinian regional wine consortium and eventually, more specifically, for Cantina Sociale di Santadi. It was during this time he first began thinking about a joint venture. Dr. Rosa recounts, “It was Giacomo Tachis who turned us on to Sardinia and Carignano. He convinced us that we could make a great Carignano-based wine. We bought the estate in 2002 because we knew what the region is capable of.

Vineyard and Winemaking: “Barrua” is the name of the vineyard parcel within the Sulcis Iglesente region in southwest Sardinia. Grapes are sourced from the Barrua and Narcao vineyards. The Sulcis region is dominated by Carignano, the blend’s predominant grape of Spanish origin that is known for elegant and velvety tannins. Carignano has perfect terroir in the warm, well-exposed brown earth, composed of calcareous, clay and sandy soil. International varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot also thrive in the area’s optimal conditions. Bush vines are closely planted to minimize yields and maximize the wine’s concentration. Production is low: 0.4 millimeters. The final blend is a mix of these grapes balanced for the best results in the specific conditions of each harvest.