CANTINA MESA Buio 2009 This is one of the most exciting new wineries to come out of Sardinia in two decades. It is the brainchild of Gavino Sanna, a Sardinian who has lived in Milan for the past 50 years, where he built up one of Italy.s most successful advertising agencies. On a whim, he decided to sell the agency and seek new challenges. One of these challenges was the creation of a winery in Sulcis in southwestern Sardinia. As might be expected from someone with Sanna.s background, the labels are striking. He has also ensured that the contents are equally striking. Stefano Cova, a young winemaker from Trentino, took over with the 2008 vintage, improving on an already high level of quality. The grapes are grown in the Sulcis area on the south-western tip of Sardinia. The climate here is Mediterranean with low rainfall distributed sporadically throughout the year, but usually falling almost entirely in autumn and winter. Frequent north-westerly winds, high temperatures in spring and summer, a mild autumn with winters which vary from dry and cold through to relatively mild. Soils are naturally sandy and chalky-clay, sub-alkaline, of a rocky, schistous character and medium textured, with moderate nutrient levels and good levels of minerals adding a distinctive character to the resulting wines. The vines are trained using the espalier method and spur-cordon pruned with yields around 40 hl/ha. 2008 was an excellent vintage in this part of Sardinia, with the welcome combination of heavy and frequent rainfall during winter and early spring, hot, dry weather in summer and early autumn and a cool breeze blowing from the north prevented the vines from becoming stressed. The grapes were hand-picked into shallow boxes, and vinified with maceration on the skins and periodical pumpovers for at least 8 days. A brief maturation followed in stainless steel and lined concrete vats until bottling. Lovely depth of ruby colour, with garnet highlights. On the nose it is perfumed and fresh, with aromas of wild red fruit and ripe plums, with smoky, herbal notes of geraniums and black pepper. On the palate the fruit is rounded and silky, with well-balanced tannins, and a long complex finish. Vintage 2008 Grape varieties 100% Carignano del Sulcis Region Sulcis Winemaker Stefano Cova Closure Cork Alcohol (ABV) 13.5% Bottle Sizes 50cl, 75cl Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £89.42 (Including VAT at 20%)