2018 Barrua

Agricola Punica was born through a collaboration between Tenuta San Guido, Santadi’s President Antonello Pilloni and Giacomo Tachis. The Barrua and Narcao vineyards are located in southwestern Sardinia in an area known as Basso Sulcis, where Agricola Punica grows a mix of indigenous Carignano and French varieties. For the longest time, I’ve considered consistency and dependability their best traits. However, as time has passed, I’ve noticed that the wines have taken on a deeper, richer and more regional character. With that said, the spit and polish that readers would expect from such an operation (not a bad thing) is still present. The 2018 and 2019 Barrua (85% Carignano, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot) were major standouts in recent tastings and are wines I’d love to have in my cellar. The same can be said for the more affordable Montessu (60% Carignano, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Syrah) Agricola Punica’s second wine, which could frankly give many more expensive bottles a run for their money.