Montessu ISOLA DEI nuraghi 2022
Agricola Punica was established in southwestern Sardinia in 2002 through the collaboration of celebrated oenologist Giacomo Tachis, Marquis Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta of Tenuta San Guido, and Antonello Pilloni of Cantina di Santadi. Montessu followed in 2005 as a more approachable expression of the project’s Sardinian identity, built around the region’s emblematic Carignano grape.
The 2022 Montessu is composed of 60% Carignano, with 10% each of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. The grapes come from the Barrua and Narcao estates in the Basso Sulcis, where hot, dry summers, maritime influence and clay, sand and limestone soils create favourable conditions for fully ripened grapes. Each variety is vinified separately before the final blend spends 12 months in French oak
The 2022 Montessu opens with ripe dark berries, liquorice and sweet spices, followed by black pepper and a distinctive Mediterranean herbal character. Notes of rosemary and capers bring a savoury freshness that keeps the wine from feeling overly rich, while subtle hints of dried cherry, cedar and sage add further complexity. On the palate, it is generous and structured, yet the tannins remain smooth and velvety, carrying the dark fruit into a long, warmly spiced finish. My impressions align closely with the producer’s emphasis on fruit, liquorice, rosemary, capers and pepper, as well as published notes highlighting dried black cherry, sage, spice and a silky texture.
Montessu worked particularly well with duck breast and asparagus. The wine’s ripe fruit complemented the richness of the meat, while its savoury herbal notes connected naturally with the vegetables and kept the pairing balanced.
It would also be an excellent match for herb-roasted lamb, especially when seasoned with rosemary, thyme, garlic and black pepper. Other strong options include grilled wild game, slow-roasted pork or a rich mushroom dish, where the wine’s structure and Mediterranean character can complement deeper, earthy flavours.
Montessu feels like a genuine hidden gem from southern Sardinia. Its connection to Giacomo Tachis and Tenuta San Guido gives it an impressive pedigree, but what interested me most was how clearly the wine retained its own Sardinian personality.
The international varieties contribute polish and structure, yet Carignano remains at the centre, bringing dark fruit, spice and those distinctive notes of rosemary, pepper and capers. That savoury Mediterranean character is what separates Montessu from a more conventional Cabernet-based blend. It is rich without becoming heavy, smooth without losing definition, and serious enough for a special meal while remaining immediately enjoyable at the table.
Country/Region: Sardinia, Italy
Grape: Carignan 60 %, Cabernet franc 10 %, Cabernet-sauvignon 10 %, Syrah 10
Vintage: 2022
Alcohol : 14.5%
Producer: Agricola Punica
Agent: Noble Sélection
