Acclaim

The 2018 755 intrigues the senses with a display of black cherries, raspberries and savory herbs; hints of animal musk and tobacco come forward over time. The textures are silky and polished, offset by mineral-tinged dark red fruits and slow-mounting tannins that collect toward the close. It then tapers off structured and poised under an air of peppery florals and spice. Give this a few years of cellaring to flesh out a bit more. The 755 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Alicante, Cannonau, Carignano and Sangiovese from vines planted in granite soils at an average of 755 meters above sea level. — Eric Guido                           2022 – 2028

The 2019 Vermentino di Sardegna Villa Solais is sweetly perfumed, with dusty florals giving way to crushed stone and hints of nectarine. It’s soft and enveloping, nicely balancing its ripe orchard fruits with energizing acidity and mineral notes. Hints of kiwi and lime zest linger through the clean, refreshing finale. — Eric Guido 2021 – 2024

Sweet and spicy, the 2018 Vermentino di Sardegna Villa Solais keeps you coming back to the glass with its ginger-tinged ripe apple and hints of vanilla bean. This is soft upon entry, yet it quickly gains a salty-savory edginess, as well as notes of zesty green citrus that seem to reverberate on the palate. It tapers off clean with a hint of tropical fruits and florals, making for a fully satisfying experience. — Eric Guido   2021 – 2025

The 2016 Carignano del Sulcis Grotta Rossa presents an intense display of crushed raspberries and allspice balanced by savory notes of wild herbs and flowery undergrowth. It’s soft in texture yet juicy, with espresso-tinged black fruits and hints of dark chocolate. This tapers off to freshness yet still maintains a mocha-cocoa note, along with a trace of tobacco. The Grotta Rossa is oddly enjoyable, reminding me of dark-chocolate-covered coffee beans. — Eric Guido                          2021 – 2024

The 2016 Cannonau di Sardegna Noras is earthy yet understated, with notes of plum, crushed stone, incense and flowery undergrowth. It is silky in texture, energized by vibrant acids and ripe cacao-tinged black fruits that cascade across a mineral core. It tapers off wonderfully fresh, with remnants of blackberry and sweet spices lingering long. The 2016 may not be one for the cellar, but it sure is showing beautifully today. — Eric Guido                        2021 – 2024

The 2013 Shardana offers a deeply seductive display of wild berries, incense, dusty florals and exotic spices. The textures are silky-smooth, balanced by cool-toned red and black fruits that give way to a more tactile feel as saline-minerals and hints of tannin mount toward the close. Inner violet notes and tart woodland berries linger long through the youthfully structured finale. This blend of old-vine, partly pre-phylloxera Carignano plus a dollop of Syrah is firing on all cylinders. – Eric Guido           2021 – 2027

Black raspberries, crushed violets, exotic spices and hints of cocoa can all be found while swirling the 2015 Carignano del Sulcis Superiore Terre Brune. It’s deep and textural, offering ripe red fruits lifted by brisk acids, and taking on more of a floral persona toward the close, hovering over a layer of round tannins. This is persistent yet youthfully structured, tapering off to notes of mocha and hints of brown sugar. — Eric Guido                     2022 – 2026

So much ash and dried-strawberry character. Burnt orange-peel undertones. Tar, too. It’s full-bodied with chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Lots of rose petals. This needs four or five years to open, but nicely integrated now. Try after 2024. -James Suckling, Mar. 2021

This is a powerful red with a full body and lots of dried fruit, walnuts, smoke and dried flowers. Asphalt and tar, too. It’s full and very layered with round, chewy tannins and a rich finish. Needs time to soften and open. Try after 2024.” -James Suckling, Mar. 2021

Aromas of dried strawberries, orange peel and white truffles follow through to a full-bodied, compact and tight palate with fine, dusty tannins and an intense finish. Hints of chocolate and toffee at the end. Really complex. Drink after 2024.” -James Suckling, Mar. 2021