This Rocca Rubia Riserva is one of Santadi's top wines. It exemplifies how beautiful a Sardinian wine can be. But there's a long history behind it. The Santadi winery was founded in 1960 when a group of winegrowers joined forces. They formed a cooperative and established the winery on Sardinia's southwest coast. After all, this was where the farmers' lands were located, and this marked the beginning of their success story. After ten years, the winery decided to take a major step, and none other than Antonello Pilloni became chairman. This was a major blow to the winery, and together with none other than oenologist Giacomo Tachis, they gave Santadi a new direction. And it proved to be the right one; significant investments were made in both the vineyards and a modern winery. This results in Santadi wines that are pure and powerful.
Wood aging for the Rocca Rubia Riserva
For this red wine, the Carignano grapes are grown in the Carignano del Sulcis wine region. This is one of the most beautiful wine regions, where the grapes truly receive all they need. The old, thick trunks yield a limited harvest these days, but this results in incredibly full bunches. This is also due to the rich soil structure, full of loose sand, clay, and organic nuances. When the harvest is ripe, the Carignano grapes are harvested by hand. After pressing, this red wine is aged in oak for up to 12 months. New, unused wooden barrels, as well as second-fill barrels, are used for this Rocca Rubia Riserva. This gives this red wine a full and creamy character, making it an iconic wine from Sardinia.
What does Sardinian red wine taste like?
Opening the bottle, we knew for sure: a full-bodied, creamy wine with plenty of depth. Its aromas, coming from the bergs, are of blackberries and currants, with hints of spice. In the glass, it's a beautiful ruby red with a purple rim. Nosing the glass, we smell notes of vanilla, black fruit, leather, and a touch of licorice. The palate is very lively and powerful, leaving our tongues with hints of black fruit, along with notes of dark chocolate, tobacco leaves, and vanilla. The finish is powerful with a velvety aftertaste.
2020
