September 28, 2023 - Pepper. Smooth. One was enough. 88-89
September 14, 2023 - P 4.5/5
August 19, 2023 - well done mostly carignan blend; interesting and complex herbal notes, good stuffing; somewhat unique profile. Scored all over the place in our small group.
April 13, 2023 - Peppery complex nose. Surprisingly smooth
December 23, 2022 - Sardinian carignan (with small doses of Cabernet and Merlot), from the producer of Sassicaia -- a smooth, modern wine, completely approachable already, and with some sweetness emerging by the end of the bottle.
August 19, 2022 - if you want Carignan at its purest form. Let it sit for a bit to breathe then it opens up nicely, Deep purple trending to black promises rich texture. Solid tannin promises long life. I have had this before in the 2016 incarnation and grew to love it. A high acidity ensures that the hefty body is long in finish and refreshing. Like a cabernet this is does not sit on the tongue but on the edges. I liken Carginan to herbaceous. this is far more elegant than a simple pile of hay. Give time and air and the plum/ hint of mint emerges. Bottle blossoms over time.
Marketing blub:
Over the past few years we have introduced you to the prodigal child born from the love triangle between Sassicaia, Tignanello, Solaia, and one of the most legendary winemakers from Sardinian. The 2016 and 2017 Agricola Punica Barrua were smash hits with NYV loyalists. Today we are back with the powerful 2018 vintage - a must have for fans of this wine.
Agricola Punica is the brainchild of Tenuta San Guido, the godfather of the Super Tuscan Giacomo Tachis and famed Sardinian producer Cantina di Santadi. This dream team has been making some of the wine world’s best-kept secrets since 2002. Oh, and it's under $40. Come on now!
Punica's flagship wine is their Barrua, a wine of tremendous depth and impeccable balance made from the indigenous Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. This Sardinian ROCKETSHIP is a rich, black fruit-driven wine with velvety tannins that maintains a surprising amount of lightness. The amount of wine experience behind this project is insane. Tenuta San Guido needs no introduction as the creator of Sassicaia. Giacomo Tachis? He just happens to be credited with creating icons like Sassicaia, Tignanello, Solaia, San Leonardo, and Turriga. Cantina di Santadi was at the forefront of driving the focus to quality winemaking in Sardinia in the 1980s.
Historically Barrua has only been available at places like MAIALINO, DEL POSTO, BABBO and fewer than 100 cases per year come to NYC but your loyalty is being paid back in kind.
There is so much that is cool and interesting about this wine, its history, Carignan, and Sardinia. Did you know Sardinia is a Blue Zone? A Blue Zone is a place where people live a REALLY REALLY long time. Sardinia is the first-ever Blue Zone identified in the world. Only 5 places in the world have been identified. There are 10 TIMES MORE PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 100 in Sardinia than in the United States. Simply put, they know how to live a long and healthy lifestyle. Burra is a part of that ethos. Also, all of the grapes are dry farmed.
If you love Le Difese, Guidalberto, Sassicaia, or just amazing full-bodied Italian wine and want to live a long time this is a must-have.