This red from Sardinia is like a liquid beam of sunshine. The family-run Pala winery on the vast, wild Italian island of Sardinia has bottled their traditional variety, Monica, since 1950 (the name evolved from "grapes of the monks," which refers to the religious order that brought the vines from France). The "fantasy name" for the wine is Oltreluna, which means "beyond the moon," and evokes the sense of mystery and great distance associated with the variety; nothing is known about its history other than those monks who sought solitude across the sea.
JAMES SUCKLING 93 POINTS - "Aromas of red plums, grilled grapefruit, dried strawberries, potpourri and dried herbs. The elegant, medium-bodied palate is framed by fine-grained tannins with tangy, medium acidity. Crunchy and vibrant, showing lovely fruit purity and spices in a lengthy finish. Drink or hold." - Zekun Shuai, Senior Editor
Pala's "Oltreluna" Monica di Sardegna is a versatile wine, with a gentle infusion of the skins in the juice in order to maintain its juicy softness; the edges have been gently polished, but not so much as to lose the wild sense of the island. Generous in its cordial-like fruit ripeness, but mellow in its delivery; warming boysenberry that hasn't lost its tangy side, some Mediterranean herbs, hints of petrichor (the scent of warm, wet stones), and just a dash of sun-kissed skins on the finish. The sweetness of ripe fruit up front eases into a dry, though not astringent, finish. In this form there's some similarity with Grenache, though with a slightly more brooding side to its otherwise sunny disposition. Easy to drink on its own, it'll also shine with moderately-aged sheep & goat cheeses, stuffed pastas, roasted veggies, and leaner proteins. Mangia bene!
JAMES SUCKLING 93 POINTS - "Aromas of red plums, grilled grapefruit, dried strawberries, potpourri and dried herbs. The elegant, medium-bodied palate is framed by fine-grained tannins with tangy, medium acidity. Crunchy and vibrant, showing lovely fruit purity and spices in a lengthy finish. Drink or hold." - Zekun Shuai, Senior Editor
Pala's "Oltreluna" Monica di Sardegna is a versatile wine, with a gentle infusion of the skins in the juice in order to maintain its juicy softness; the edges have been gently polished, but not so much as to lose the wild sense of the island. Generous in its cordial-like fruit ripeness, but mellow in its delivery; warming boysenberry that hasn't lost its tangy side, some Mediterranean herbs, hints of petrichor (the scent of warm, wet stones), and just a dash of sun-kissed skins on the finish. The sweetness of ripe fruit up front eases into a dry, though not astringent, finish. In this form there's some similarity with Grenache, though with a slightly more brooding side to its otherwise sunny disposition. Easy to drink on its own, it'll also shine with moderately-aged sheep & goat cheeses, stuffed pastas, roasted veggies, and leaner proteins. Mangia bene!
Overall Rating
0 out of 5 Based on 0 Review
