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Label

Cantina Dolianova Anzenas Cannonau di Sardegna 2005

Country: Italy
Region: Sardegna
Price Paid: $9.99
Date Tasted: July 2, 2007


APPEARANCE:

Relatively light in color, much like a darkish Pinot Noir.

ON THE NOSE:

At first the nose on this wine is very closed, but does exhibit rhubarb, of all things. As it opens it displays more fruit — plum and raspberry — but it also becomes rather horsey in character, with some definite wet rock. The fruit is tied up with a sweaty bra. This nose is a bit funky, but not "French" funky — something else: Italian funky?

ON THE PALATE:

At the very first this wine has a nice attack which hints at tannin, explodes with acidity, but then disappears with virtually no finish. We'll have to let this wine breathe and come back, me-thinks. As it opens more fruit is available to the palate, with some horse sweat thrown in. This Italian wine is highly acidic and, although I feel the tannins in my teeth and gums, I cannot say that this wine is balanced in any way, not to our tastes at least. The effect is sort of like heartburn, or eating very sour cherries, which is what this wine tastes like too. Don't get us wrong, it isn't all that bad, it's just that the acidity is indeed out of balance to our particular tastes. As we get used to new and different wines, however, we are learning that the overall sense of "balance" indeed changes with the type of wine one drinks, so perhaps this Cannanou is on par with what it should be! Five hours later the tannins begin to emerge and add more balance, but still, by the end of this bottle, the balance is never realized. We would not have guessed this as a Grenache, so the terroir of Sardinia must significantly affect this particular variety, and just maybe this is one reason that this grape is not called Grenache in Italy.


(Click here for an explanation of our ratings ...)

Our Rating: 85

Would we drink it again?

Yes! Although we were somewhat put off by the acidity, this was still a quality wine, especially for $10.

Would we buy it again?

No! We liked it, but just not enough to buy it again!

About the Sardinia Wine Region

Sardinia produces wines of distinguished personality from varieties that are for the most part unique in Italy, brought by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and, above all, Spaniards to this enchanting Mediterranean island.

Traditional Sardinian wines, whether sweet, semi-sweet or dry, are still strong in character: the Sherry-like Vernaccia di Oristano, Malvasia di Bosa and Nasco di Cagliari; the Port-like Cannonau, Monica di Cagliari and Girò di Cagliari; and the luscious Moscato of Cagliari and Sorso-Sennori. But trends favour dry red and white wines of moderate strength.

Among whites, the protagonist is Vermentino, which is D.O.C.G. as Vermentino di Gallura and D.O.C. under a regionwide category. Torbato di Alghero also has winning style. Nuragus, introduced by the Phoenicians and named after the nuraghe, the island’s prehistoric stone towers, makes a popular white from the Campidano plains near the capital of Cagliari.

Among reds, the dry versions of Cannonau, Carignano del Sulcis and Monica can combine power with unexpected elegance.



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