2009 Argiolas Costera, Isola dei Nuraghi IGT (Sardinia):
After being impressed with the 2011 Vermentino from this same producer, I was glad to see this on the shelves of a local shop. Mostly Cannonau (90%, synonym for Grenache), it is actually rather dark and violet tinged for a wine from that grape. And it is very impressive for an $11 bottle. Dark blueberry, smoke and a hint of roses. Very nice structure, too. Did make me think of the Rhone, even before I remembered that Cannonau is actually the same as Grenache! Strangely enough, I've recently had a 2009 Cairanne from Domaine Roche. It was the "La Bosquette" bottling, which was mostly old vine Grenache (120 years old, yikes) with elevation in cement, etc. And the Cairanne was thin, hot and not living up to the 92 points given in the Rhone Report. Interesting that this latter wine can't hold a candle to the rather cheaper Sardinian.