CANTINA MESA Buio Buio 2007 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 35hl/ha. Summer 2007 was hot and dry, producing very ripe, concentrated wines. The grapes were hand-picked into shallow boxes and then vinified with maceration on the skins and periodical pumpovers for at least 8 days. The wine was then matured for 8-10 months in one year old French oak barriques and in lined concrete vats before bottling. Deep ruby red in colour with cherry highlights, it has lovely intensity on the nose with notes of balsam, red berries and flowers and a touch of spice. On the palate it is rich and full, with excellent balance, silky texture, supple tannins, good acidity, and excellent length. Vintage 2007 Grape varieties 100% Carignano del Sulcis Region Sulcis Winemaker Stefano Cova Closure Cork Alcohol (ABV) 14% Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £158.80 (Including VAT at 20%)