'Montessu' Agripunica 2023

The Montessu by Agripunica is the soft, velvety, and powerful expression of the lower Sulcis territory, in the southwestern part of Sardinia, where the Isola dei Nuraghi denomination is in effect. Flipping through the names that have given rise to this “creature” sends shivers down the spine. Historic signatures, acclaimed producers, and legendary winemakers, such as Giacomo Tachis, have come together in a single project. Indeed, Agricola Punica was born from the collaboration between the Sardinian winery Santadi and Tenuta San Guido (the father of Sassicaia) with the aim of creating robust and significant Sardinian wines, inaugurating the concept of “super-Sardinian,” analogous to that of super-Tuscan. Thus, this label was born, an expression of character and territory, a concentrate of sun, wind, earth, and sea that represents the deepest essence of Sardinia. The red Agripunica takes its name from the archaeological area of Montessu, which hosts the necropolis of domus de janas. Inside, there are more than 40 constructions from the pre-Nuragic era, probably ancient tombs, sculpted with decorative spiral motifs that are depicted on the label.

The Montessu Agripunica is composed of 60% Carignano grapes, a typical grape variety of the territory, and the remaining 40% from international French varieties vinified separately: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah. The grapes come from the 170 hectares of vineyard owned by the winery, characterized by deep, medium-textured soils rich in clay, sand, and limestone, immersed in a microclimate that is generally warm, arid in summer, and mild in winter. In the winery, the must ferments at controlled temperature with periodic pump-overs. Malolactic fermentation is fully carried out, providing greater softness. The final aging takes place for 15 months in French oak barriques.

The Montessu wine presents itself in the glass with a fascinating bright and cheerful dress, the color of intense ruby red. Swirling it in the glass leaves arches and tears that descend very slowly towards the liquid. This makes us understand that we are facing a full-bodied red and rich in matter, warm and of great structure. On the nose, it enchants with its fabulous and inviting aromas of fruit jam and marine sensations, which bring our minds back to the shores of Sardinia. Followed by smoky nuances and bursts of Mediterranean scrub tinged with coffee and chocolate with soft notes of tobacco. On the palate, it reveals itself as elegant and voluminous, with silky tannins well sculpted in a muscular body of remarkable balance. These are liquid emotions born in a terroir capable of astonishing.