Giovanni Montisci from Sardinia

It's always nice to try good wine, but if it comes from unexpected place, it feels special.
But how do I find unknown wine from unexpected place?

Best and certain way is to choose from an importer who carry wines in style you like.
There are more than several importers I like and trust, but Kermit Lynch is the one I always depend on.
It's been more than a decade since I started to shop at their Berkeley store, and they still keep showing me new surprises, just like this wine.

Giovanni Montisci Barrosu Cannonau di Sardegna

Wine is made with old vine Grenache, which is called Cannonau in Sardinia.
Concentrated ripe red fruit, which is still vibrant, cassis, herb, coffee.
Well balanced silky tannin. It is powerful but not arrogant, although the name "Barrosu" means arrogant guy in a local dialect.
It has rustic feel. I've never been to Sardinia but I felt like I was sitting on the island and touching the soil as I drunk the wine.
On the other hand, this wine also has elegant side.
It is approachable but if you seek deeper, this wine has depth to explore further.

Giovanni Montisci is a producer from Sardinia, Italy.
Sardinia is a popular tour destination and the viticulture is not a big part of Sardinia's agricultural economy, but its wine industry is slowly improving.

Sardinia is the second largest island of Italy with hills which can be more than 1,800 m above sea level and rocky coast.
This topography and varied soils types provide preferable choices for vineyard location.
The climate is hot with cooling effect from the Mediterranean. This combination creates wide diurnal range which ensures full ripeness of the grapes while acidity in grapes is retained.

With these conditions, there is no doubt that Sardinia can produce great wines, and Giovanni Montisci just proved that.