This is Santadi's flagship red and a very serious expression of Carignano. More importantly, the 2020 has a compelling vineyard story: the fruit comes from old, ungrafted bush-trained vines in the lower Sulcis, growing primarily in sandy/clay soils.

The ungrafted vines are especially significant. The sandy soils found in parts of the Sulcis inhibited phylloxera, allowing old Carignano vines to survive on their original European rootstocks rather than being grafted onto American rootstock. This is one of the distinguishing features of the Carignano del Sulcis appellation.

This wine is deep and concentrated, with blackberry, blueberry, dried cherry and plum layered with tobacco, Mediterranean herbs, dark chocolate and spice. Full-bodied and powerful yet remarkably polished, with fresh acidity, fine-grained tannins and a long, savory, mineral-driven finish.

Vinous – 93 Points - Describes a dark, intense wine built around ash/stone, cedar, tobacco and dried blueberry, with a velvety texture, cooling acidity and a dramatically long, structured finish. The reviewer specifically indicates that the wine needs patience and will reward cellaring.

James Suckling – 93 Points - Finds it concentrated and silky, with cherry, wild currant, warm herbs, baking spices and a savory grilled-meat character. Full-bodied, with ripe tannins and a dense but controlled finish.