The 2008 Isola dei Nuraghi Alba Nora (Chardonnay) blossoms on the palate with layers of expansive, generous fruit. Gentle hints of oak frame the supple finish. The Alba Nora shows plenty of varietal character in a distinctly earthy, saline style full of Sardinian personality. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016. Importer: The Sorting Table, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 603-1461

The 2007 Isola dei Nuraghi Alba Nora is a rich, textured Chardonnay endowed with ripe peaches, apricots, smoke, minerals and wet stones. The intensity of the fruit carries through to a creamy, generous finish that recalls white Burgundy at its finest. This is one of the more unique and distinctive whites being made in Sardinia. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014. Feudi della Medusa stands apart from most properties in Sardinia for the distinctive, powerful style of the wines. These are seriously rich, concentrated offerings that will offer their best drinking at the dinner table. Importer: The Sorting Table, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 603-1461

The 2006 Alba Nora (Chardonnay) is an explosive, rich wine that possesses gorgeous depth in its super-ripe apricots, succulent peaches, honey, spices and sweet toasted oak. To be sure, the Alba Nora is a large-scaled white of the kind one doesn’t often encounter in Sardinia, but it shows superb balance and persistence, and continues to build all the way through to the dramatic finish. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012. Proprietors Heide and Francesco Siclari make intense, powerful wines from their 50 hectares of vineyards. Importer: The Sorting Table, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 603-1461