The estate’s 2005 Carignano del Sulcis Superiore Terre Brune is once again one of the most fascinating wines being made on the island today. A rich melange of red cherries, tobacco, earthiness, cedar, licorice and spices emerges from this layered, texturally beautiful wine. Feminine yet masculine, delicate yet powerful, it’s all there in the glass as this magnificent wine reveals its pedigree. Readers will not want to miss this fabulous Terre Brune. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. These are three utterly fabulous Carignanos from Santadi. Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900

Terre Brune is a benchmark wine for the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. It is made with Carignano (with 5% Bovaleddu, a native grape) and shows superior concentration and richness thanks to extremely low yields in the vineyard. The wine is elegant and shows extraordinary harmony of fruit, spice, softness and structure.——M.L.(9/1/2009)—— 91