Châteauneuf Doppelgänger for $19.99!
Today, from the sun-drenched isle of Sardinia, we bring you a beautiful red that has us thinking Châteauneuf-du-Pape, yet sells for just twenty bucks!
Sergio Loi made 1,000 cases of this beautiful Cannonau di Sardegna from his sandy-soiled parcel of old vines located just a few miles from the rugged eastern coast of Sardinia. For those not familiar, Cannonau is the Sardinian name for Grenache, and his 2021 Caladu shares more than a passing resemblance to the great wines of the Southern Rhône...
“Fans of Châteauneuf-du-Pape would feel right at home with Sardinian Cannonau. There’s a lot of potential here.”
- Vinous, April 2025
We bring his wine to you for a special price that beats every listing in the country! Read on for our tasting notes, and for details on a special bottling from ancient pre-phylloxera vines planted on the southwestern side of Sardinia, then smack down on the Big Green Button to load up from these impressive reds from one of the world's great Blue Zones!
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2021 Cardedu ”Caladu” Cannonau di Sardegna
Sardinia, Italy
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On the sun-drenched isle of Sardinia, the locals live vibrantly to some of the oldest ages on the planet. One of the factors attributed to their superlative longevity? The regular, moderate consumption of Cannonau di Sardegna!
From the extraordinary 2021 harvest, this bottling from Cardedu positively floored us. Our initial notes called it a Châteauneuf doppelgänger, and it’s even more than that.
Sergio's old vines cling to dry crumbling coastal granite in the schist-soiled hills near Jerzu. The challenging soil and hot Sardinian climate results in a wine that is exploding with umami and vitality.
Flavors of sun-drenched strawberries and seaspray-ensconced plums are complicated with tamari, loam, balsamic-drenched herbs and salty granite notes. Boasting an energized structure, it dazzles even more an hour after it's been opened.
There's a freshness here is a hallmark of the wine and the spirit of this great island. Our scale puts at a legit 92 points. Drink now and over the coming several years with gutsy grilled cuisine, Southern Italian staples or simply put on a slight chill and enjoy a glass on the patio.
Looking online we found 12 listings. Beating them all, our price puts this right in the over-delivering sweet spot for something different and delicious.
Vin Chicago Price: 19.99
Plus a Sardinian Reserve Red for Lovers of Bordeaux!
2020 Cantina Giba “Seimura”
Carignano del Sulcis Riserva
Sardinia, Italy
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Located in the far southwest corner of Sardinia lies the relatively unknown DOC of Carignano del Sulcis. It is from there that Cantina Giba produces this special “Sei Mura” Riserva bottling from rare piede franco (ungrafted) pre-phylloxera Carignano bush vines, some as old as 110 years.
While today's Cannonau boasts shades of Châteauneuf, this reserve bottling from Cantina Giba, while not sharing grape varieties, manages to have the character of Bordeaux!
“Lovers of ageworthy Bordeaux would find much to like in Sardinian Carignano”
- Vinous, April 2025
Fermented in stainless steel tanks, this 100% Carignan was aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels, a lavish treatment that is a driver of the Bordeaux feel Full and rich in body, it features concentrated ripe black cherry, dark raspberry and blueberry flavors along with a VERY long spicy, herbal and earthy finish with soft tannins and impressive depth.
For a hedonistic experience, pour this big red alongside an herb crusted rack of lamb! We are a very enthusiastic 93+ points. It is drinking great at its current six years of age and will be even better with a few years in your cellar or a few hours in your decanter!
The magic of pre-phyloxera vines and pre-tariff pricing make this a rather exceptional value. Looking online we could not find even a single other listing!
Vin Chicago Price: 37.99
