2019 Monica di Sardegna Nibaru

The Alberto Loi winery is located in Carededu, on the eastern side of Sardinia, in the province of Nuoro, once named Ogliastra. This is the most mountainous part of Sardinia and also home to Cannonau's classico zone. It was Giovanni Antonio Loi and his son Alberto’s belief in the importance of Cannonau that paved the way for the success of the third and fourth generations of the family who run the winery today. Their hillside vineyards consist of well-draining soils composed of weathered granite. These non-irrigated vines enjoy a full exposure to the sun from morning to night, soaking up the heat during the day, then cooled by mountain winds during the night. While the winery doesn’t seek organic certifications, there are no chemical herbicides or pesticides used. Practices in the winery are as natural and as low-impact as possible. Within the portfolio, there are three ranges that can help consumers to easily find the most appealing style. The Tradizione line seeks to deliver pure expressions of native varieties without the influence of oak; the Riserva line explores different soil types, elevations and vine ages; and the Selezione line is geared more toward “International” palates, including the use of barriques. For my taste, the sweet spot here is found in the Riserva lineup, two wines that communicate the potential of this region and its ability to produce world-class Cannonau.