2021 Agricola Punica Montessu
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14.5%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2030 |
Description
Agricola Punica (better known as Agripunica) is the new top domain which was created in 2002 through a collaboration of various wine talents with a lot of experience. The personalities who have put their shoulders to the wheel of this project are certainly not the least: Dr. Sebastiano Rosa (the winemaker of Tenuta San Guido and its cult wine Sassicaia), Tenuta San Guido itself, the Sardinian top estate Cantina di Santadi and its director Antonello Pilloni, and finally the legendary winemaker Giacomo Tachis. The idea came from the latter who was very inspired by the quality and possibilities of the carignano grape (carignan) on the Italian island of Sardinia. As a former winemaker of Sassicaia and expert in working with cabernet and merlot, he was very interested in experimenting with 'his' Bordelaise grapes on the island. In 2002, Agripunica was founded and vineyards were purchased from the Barrua and Narcao wine estates and is now widely seen as one of Italy's emerging rising stars. We can all see what has happened to Tenuta San Guido and especially to the prices, so the advice is definitely to keep a close eye on Agri Punica while the prices are still in balance.
The Montessu vineyards in Sardinia are located in the Isola dei Nuraghi region. The soil of the vineyards consists of brown earth, a mix of clay and limestone. This Carignano is assembled with small parts of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. All grapes are harvested by hand and vinified individually. This is followed by assembly and the wine matures for twelve months in French oak barrels. In the glass the wine has a purple-red color with a ruby red edge. In the nose we smell dark fruits such as black cherries, blackberries, currants and plums, with also something of leather, cocoa and undergrowth in the nose. The taste is beautifully sultry, with full, concentrated fruit, a pleasant spiciness, soft tannin and ends in an elegant aftertaste. \
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sardinia |
| Appellation | Isola dei Nuraghi |
| Winery | Agripunica |
| Grape | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2030 |
| Alcohol % | 14.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Tasting Profiles | Earthy, Dark fruit, Dry, Fruity, Aged on wood, Flexible, Full |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Met vrienden, Open haard |
Wijnhuis
Agricola Punica (better known as Agripunica) is a collaboration between Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia), Cantina di Santadi from Sardinia and the celebrated Tuscan oenologist Giacomo Tachis. The idea came from the latter who was very inspired by the quality and possibilities of the carignano grape (carignan) from the Italian island of Sardinia.
More information about Agripunica
As a former winemaker of Sassicaia and an expert in working with cabernet and merlot, he was very interested in experimenting with 'his' Bordelaise grapes on the island. Agripunica was founded in 2002 and vineyards were purchased from the wine estates Barrua and Narcao. Both are located in the Basso Sulcis area, in southwest Sardinia, home to the Carignano del Sulcis area of origin. The ambition that Tachis had with Agripunica – to make top red wines in Sardinia based on the indigenous carignano, supplemented with Bordelaise grapes – quickly became a resounding success. In addition, he also concentrated on making white wine, again drawing inspiration from a local grape (vermentino) and an international grape (chardonnay). Here, too, the enormous expertise of the oenologist soon became apparent. Formed and trained by Tachis in his early years, Umberto Trombelli is a gifted winemaker with a great track record. When Tachis decided to take it a bit easier a few years ago, Trombelli was the logical choice to approach as a successor. Trombelli was happy to continue Tachis's life's work and is now the great man behind Agripunica's success.
The domain makes two red and since 2012 also a white wine. The red 'Barrua', an IGP Isola dei Nuraghi, is on its way to becoming the new icon wine of Sardinia and is made according to the established recipe of 85% carignano with 10% cabernet sauvignon and 5% merlot. The Barrua vineyards are located inland and include 10 hectares of old bush vines from carignano, which gives the wine its complexity. The 'Montessu' - not to be regarded as inferior, but as a completely different wine - is made from 60% carignano, supplemented with syrah, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and finally merlot. The white 'Samas' is made from 80% vermentino, supplemented with 20% chardonnay.