This stunning red from the island of Sardinia, made from old vine Carignan, with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. A sensuous nose of dark spicy fruit explodes from the glass with hints of ripe plums and cherries followed by lovely dark gamey, spicy fruit wrapped in vanilla and soft tannins.

This stunning red hails from the south eastern corner of the island of Sardinia, a DOC called Carignano del Sulcis. The Punica estate was founded by Sebastiano Rosa, the winemaker at Sassicaia and the late Tuscan wine consultant Giacomo Tachis. Made from old vine Carignan, with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot aged for 18 months in Oak. The addition of other grapes to the indigenous Carignan means it can only have the generic IGT Isola dei Nuraghi. A sensuous nose of dark spicy fruit explodes from the glass with hints of ripe plums and cherries followed by lovely dark gamey, spicy fruit with hints of nuts wrapped in vanilla and soft tannins. Very long, really impressive, drinking beautifully now but will keep very well.

Style: full bodied

Maturity: drinking now but will age very well.