This beautiful wine shows extra exuberance, richness and texture in this vintage. The 2015 Carignano del Sulcis Riserva Rocca Rubia is aged in barrique for 12 months. Between the warmth and cheerful sunshine of the vintage, plus the extra toast and spiciness you get from the oak regime, this pretty offering shows the volume and character to pair with roast lamb or pork. To those savory dishes, this wine will add cherry and wild berry fruit with grilled rosemary and other herbs followed by tar and tobacco. This is not a full-flown, full-bodied wine, but it almost is. Production is significant with 600,000 bottles made.

The 2014 Carignano del Sulcis Riserva Rocca Rubia opens to a dark garnet color and a firm, mid-weight style. The bouquet allows for neat and linear fruit tones with dried cherry and black currant. You also get a good dose of balsam or medicinal herb and cola. This wine is broad and long in terms of mouthfeel, and its structure has been enhanced by 12 months of aging in neutral oak barrels. The mouthfeel evenly blankets the entire palate.

The 2008 Carignano del Sulcis Riserva Rocca Rubia is rich, deep and powerful. Layers of dark fruit meld into earthiness, leather and licorice in this intense Carignano. Although initially a bit rustic, the Rocca Rubia turns more elegant with time in the glass. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. From top to bottom this is an impressive set of wines from Shardana. One of the developments here in recent years has been an increasing reliance in cement over stainless steel for the whitesImporter: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900