Vigne Surrau, Cannonau Di Sardegna Sincaru, 2021
Vigne Surrau, Cannonau Di Sardegna Sincaru, 2021
- 75cl
- 14%
- Red Still
- Grenache
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2030
The vineyards of Vigne Surrau, with a south-east exposure, enjoy the Mediterranean climate in well ventilated hilly areas. The wind, typical of Gallura, helps obtain healthy grapes and thanks to the proximity of the sea, brings sapidity, particularly appreciated feature in their wines.
The 2021 vintage benefits from Sardinia’s climate, ideal for producing rich, flavourful wines. Here you will find a more structured and complex expression of Cannonau (Grenache), with a focus on elegance and depth, that will pair excellently with hearty dishes such as roasted lamb, beef stews, grilled game, and aged cheeses. It also complements dishes with robust flavours, including those featuring earthy mushrooms, truffles, or rich tomato-based sauces.
Currently showing primary dark fruit with emerging complexity, this wine will integrate beautifully over the next two to three years as the tannins soften. Secondary characters of leather, earth, and Mediterranean herbs will become more prominent around 2028-2029, when the wine reaches its plateau. The coastal salinity and natural acidity will help maintain freshness until 2030, though the primary fruit will gradually give way to more savoury, tertiary development.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby red with purple highlights, showing good concentration and youth.
NoseImmediately appealing with ripe blackberry and wild strawberry, lifted by Mediterranean herbs and a touch of garrigue. There's a lovely spice element, with black pepper and a hint of the coastal breeze that shapes these wines.
PalateFull-bodied and structured, with concentrated dark fruit supported by firm but approachable tannins. The wine shows real depth, with layers of berry fruit, herbs, and that distinctive mineral backbone. The influence of the sea air brings a subtle salinity that adds complexity.
FinishLong and satisfying, with persistent fruit and a mineral echo that speaks of its island origins.
Overall impressionA serious expression of Cannonau that balances power with elegance and shows clear island character.
Food Pairings
In Sardinia, this wine would accompany the island's famous roasted lamb seasoned with wild myrtle and rosemary, or porceddu (suckling pig) cooked over aromatic wood fires. Traditional dishes like malloreddus pasta with wild boar ragu, or aged Pecorino Sardo cheese, would showcase the wine's savoury depth. The coastal influence makes it particularly good with grilled fish like tonno rosso, whilst game birds like wild partridge highlight its earthy complexity.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to allow the fruit and structure to show properly without overwhelming the palate. A brief decant of 30 minutes will help integrate the tannins, though it's not essential for current drinking. Use large Bordeaux-style glasses to concentrate the aromatics and allow the wine to breathe in the glass.
The vineyards sit on hillsides with south-east exposure in Gallura's well-ventilated terrain, where Mediterranean winds are constant. The proximity to the sea brings distinctive salinity to the wines, whilst the hilly location provides excellent drainage and temperature variation. These coastal influences, combined with Sardinia's intense sunshine, create ideal conditions for Cannonau to develop both power and finesse.
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC covers the entire island and celebrates Sardinia's most important indigenous red grape, known elsewhere as Grenache. The appellation requires minimum 85% Cannonau and allows for various styles from light and fruity to structured and age-worthy. Sardinian Cannonau tends to show more salinity and herbal character than mainland Italian wines, reflecting the island's unique maritime terroir.
Sardinia's 2021 vintage arrived with Mediterranean drama: a hot, dry summer that pushed harvest dates earlier than usual across the island. The heat was particularly intense in August, concentrating flavours but demanding precise timing from growers who had to balance ripeness against freshness. Cannonau vines, deeply rooted in the island's granite soils, handled the stress with typical resilience, while the coastal vineyards producing Vermentino benefited from sea breezes that preserved the grape's signature mineral brightness.
What emerged was a vintage of surprising intensity and focus. The Cannonau shows ripe dark fruit with a savoury backbone that keeps things lively rather than jammy, while Vermentino delivers concentrated citrus and herb flavours with more weight than usual but still that crucial seaside lift. Quality varies by producer—those who picked early and kept yields sensible made excellent wines, while others struggled with the heat. Most 2021s are drinking beautifully now and should continue to please for another three to five years, though the best Cannonau reserves will reward patience until 2028.
FAQs
What does this Cannonau taste like?
Rich and structured with dark berry fruit, Mediterranean herbs, and a distinctive mineral salinity that reflects its coastal Sardinian origins.
When is the best time to drink this wine?
Enjoyable now but will reward patience, reaching peak complexity between 2028-2030 and drinking well until 2032.
What food pairs best with this wine?
Perfect with roasted lamb, beef stews, grilled game, and aged cheeses. The savoury character also complements dishes with mushrooms or rich tomato-based sauces.
Should I decant this wine?
A brief 30-minute decant will help soften the tannins, though it's not essential. Serve at 16-17°C in large wine glasses.
How does Sardinian Cannonau differ from other wines?
Sardinian Cannonau shows distinctive salinity and herbal character from the island's coastal terroir, creating wines with more complexity than typical Grenache.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Yes, this structured style will develop beautifully over 4-6 years, gaining complexity whilst maintaining its distinctive coastal character.
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