Description
Sa Raja, Sardegna
Sar Raja is an exciting new project run by Mark Hartmann. The estate consists of 49 hectares of owned vineyards near the winery in Gallura, between Telti, Monti and Calangianus. Mount Limbara, the highest mountain to the north of Sardinia, looks over their vineyards to the west. Gallura is the heartland of Vermentino, the mainstay of Sa Raja’s production.
The vines are Guyot-trellised and grow south-facing, at 400-500m altitude. The soil is a combination of sand, loam, clay and quartz.
A Mixed Half-Dozen consists of 3 bottles of each of –
Sa Raja Vermentino di Sardegna 2021
DOC Vermentino di Sardegna
This delightful white comes from the Gallura zone in Sardinia, a naturally low-vielding vineyard at 500m altitude which produces high quality Vermentino.
The grapes are handpicked, the wine is then fermented in stainless steel and spends six month on the lees before being bottled two months later.
Pear and melon fruit on the nose with hints of citrus. On the palate it has depth and lovely mouthfeel gained from its time on the lees. There is wonderful purity of fruit with an underlying minerality and gentle acidity, and great length at the finish.
This exceptional wine has won 1st Prize in the 2022 edition of the Gambero Rosso (the Italian bible of current wines)!
Sa Raja Cannonau di Sardegna 2020
DOC Cannonau di Sardegna
Also known as Grenache in France, this wine is made from 100% Cannonau grapes from relatively low-lying vineyards in the Romangia area of Sardinia.
Grapes are hand-harvested in early September, de-stemmed and macerated for 14 days with regular pumping over. Fermentation is in stainless steel at 22-28ºC, followed by a malolactic fermentation. The wine then spends 2 months on fine lees with regular stirring or batonnage, and then a further 4 months in stainless steel, before being released after 2 months in bottle.
It is medium deep in colour with sweet perfumed brambly nose with hints of eucalyptus. In the mouth is full of gorgeous, soft, red berry and wild strawberry fruit, supported by fine soft tannins. It finishes with a hint of herbs and liquorice.
A revelation of what Grenache can achieve in Sardinia. Sublime!