Marchese di Villamarina Alghero Cabernet Riserva

A jewel in the Mediterranean, Sardinia is a rustic and enchantingly beautiful island with extreme geography and vinous diversity to tempt travelers and wine enthusiasts alike. Mr. Sella and Mr. Mosca fell in love with this land over a century ago and established Sella & Mosca, one of Italy’s most renowned wine estates. As Sardinia’s foremost wine producer, Sella & Mosca’s premium wines are made exclusively from estate-grown grapes. In addition to native varieties such as Vermentino, Torbato, and Cannonau, the winery has successfully pioneered the introduction of international grape varieties, notably Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sella & Mosca’s 1,600-acre estate, I Piani, constitutes the second largest contiguous vineyard in Italy, covering more than 1,200 acres of vines. It is one of the largest wine estates in Europe. The climate is hot and dry. Inland vineyards cover mountainous terrain of granite, schist, sandstone and limestone soil. The Cabernet Sauvignon vines have an average age of 11 years and are grapes grown on strong, iron-bearing clay that an ancient geological upheaval mixed with windborne sands. The estate is surrounded by landscaped gardens and a profusion of flowering oleanders, maritime pines, palm trees and eucalyptus. The winery features multiple tasting rooms, an expertly designed enoteca and a fascinating exhibit showcasing replicas of archaeological finds unearthed during the building of the estate.

Following harvest, grapes undergo a 24-hour pre-fermentation cold maceration at approximately 50°F. Grapes ferment on the skins for two weeks in stainless steel vats at 68 to 82°F. The wine is matured 18 months in French oak barrique (50% new, 50% second use), followed by an additional 12 months in bottle prior to release.

The wine is rich and broad with ample red fruit, tobacco and spice. The palate it is rhythmic and silky, with depth and structure which is balanced by firm acidity.