2019 Korem

I’m pleased to report that the Argiolas wines showed particularly well in my recent tastings. In my last report two years ago, I encountered many issues related to faulty corks. That was not the case this time around. Argiolas is one of the island’s largest and most widely distributed producers, focusing entirely on indigenous varieties. The Giacomo Tachis-inspired Turriga is the wine they are most well-known for in collector circles. It’s a barrique-aged blend of 85% Cannonau, 5% Carignano, 5% Bovale Sardo and 5% Malvasia Nera. Typically, this wine is a hulking bruiser with a tinge of rusticity. However, the 2018 is a different animal entirely. It’s radiant and harmonious, with an intensity kept in check by bracing acidity and finishes with refined tannins. It will be a fun wine to follow for a decade or more. The 2019 Isola dei Nuraghi Korem, a blend of 85% Bovale, 10% Carignano and 5% Cannonau, is also very special and, in my opinion, the best relative value from the portfolio. The only warning I will issue is for their entry-level wines, which could use a boost of complexity to fit in better with the rest of the range.