What a joy it is to taste the 2005 Is Solinas. This blend of 95% Carignano and 5% Bovale Sardo reveals an array of wild herbs, sage, vibrant dark cherries, earthiness and smoke on a full-bodied frame. Another year or two in bottle should help smooth the edges of this exotic beauty. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020. Argiolas is one of my favorite producers in Italy. The estate, located in Sardinia, makes a number of compelling wines that highlight just how intriguing the island’s unique terroirs and indigenous varieties can be. Of course, it never hurts to have the consulting services of one of the world’s most renowned oenologists, in this case Sardinia native, Giacomo Tachis. To make things even better, most of the wines remain reasonably priced as well. Readers may also want to re-visit my article on Best Buys from Italy available at www.erobertparker.com for more top values from Argiolas. In short, consumers who want to learn more about the unique wines of Sardegna owe it to themselves to check out Argiolas.Importer: Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620