A richly flavoured, complex style of Carignano from the Sulcis zone in the south of Sardinia, renowned for some of the island's finest reds.
Production
The Carignano grapes are sourced from low-lying vineyards in the Sulcis area. The vines grow in loamy-clay soils which also contain schist, plus calcium, magnesium, manganese and iron. The grapes are hand-harvested into small crates towards the end of September, and are then destemmed and macerated for 14 days with pumping over. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation takes place in stainless steel, where the wine remains for 9 months. It spends a further 2 months in bottle before release.
Sa Raja Carignano del Sulcis 2021 (6 bottles case)
Vivino ratings
Tasting notes
A ripe, spicy nose with aromas of damson and black cherry with savoury notes of woodsmoke and baked earth. The palate is robust yet fresh with rich black fruits, juicy balancing acidity and notes of liquorice and bitter chocolate.
Food match
This wine is a good match for spicy tomato pasta sauces, meaty sausages and salami.
Info
-
ABV
13%
-
CASE/BOTTLE SIZE
6 x 75cl
-
REGION/COUNTRY
SARDEGNA, ITALY
-
GRAPE
CARIGNANO 100%
-
CLOSURE
CORK
-
WINEMAKER
FEDERICO CURTAZ
-
APPELLATION
DOC CARIGNANO DEL SULCIS
-
ALLERGEN INFO
CONTAINS SULPHITES AND NO OTHER ALLERGENS
-
Meet the producer
Sa Raja, a new project established in the Gallura region of northern Sardinia, is one of the island’s most exciting new producers, excelling with all 3 of its key varieties (Vermentino, Cannonau and Carignano).
Mark Hartmann is effectively the ‘front-man’ for the project, but this is in fact a collaboration between a team of five, all with a wealth of previous wine experience. They also work with renowned Italian consultant and winemaker Federico Curtaz. Despite many of the group having their roots in northern Italy, in Valle d’Aosta, they have a shared belief in the potential that Sardinia has to offer.
The Sa Raja winery, overlooking the sea, has been under construction for 3 years, and when completed (in 2022) will house the latest technology and winemaking facilities. Until then, the first few vintages have been vinified and bottled in Calangianus, around 10 km from the estate.
The estate consists of 49 hectares of owned vineyards near the winery in Gallura, between Telti, Monti and Calangianus. Mount Limbara, the highest mountain to the north of Sardinia, looks over their vineyards to the west. Gallura is the heartland of Vermentino, the mainstay of Sa Raja’s production.
They further bolster their portfolio with Sardinian reds from the best-regarded areas of production. They have prime vineyard sites under long lease in Romangia (north-western Sardinia) and Ogliastra (to the east) where they cultivate Cannonau; and Carignano grapes are currently bought in from selected growers in Sulcis, the south-western tip of the island.
The quality of the portfolio shows through, and after just a few vintages their reputation is growing – the result of exceptional wines and a consistency that is hard to find in Sardinia.