Thursday, August 13, 2026 red wine review is a lovely Cannonau di Sardegna (a.k.a. Garnacha/Grenache from Sardinia) that is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO and was part of the feature on wines from Sardinia in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.
It is produced by Jerzu Antichi Poderi, one of Sardinia's historically significant co-operative wineries, with deep roots in the viticultural traditions of the region that go back to the 12th century. While the cooperative itself was formally established in 1950, when a group of 18 winegrowers came together with a shared passion for wine, its history is rooted in the generations of grape growers who cultivated the vineyards of Jerzu and passed their knowledge from one generation to the next.
Today, Antichi Poderi Jerzu is made up of 408 members, all committed to fuelling a history that continues to move forward. Together, the member families tend 460 hectares of vineyards across a territory spanning 593 km² in Sardinia, the rugged Mediterranean island off Italy's western coast. Their vineyards range in elevation from 30 metres to a fairly lofty 786 metres above sea level.
Sardinia offers an extraordinarily diverse combination of hills and plains, coastal regions and inland areas, with considerable variation in topography and mesoclimate. The combination of Mediterranean maritime influences, cooling breezes, varied elevations and diverse soils and bedrock—including free-draining sands and gravels—creates highly favourable conditions for viticulture. With centuries of French and Spanish influence, the island is home to many important indigenous and international varieties, with Cannonau and Vermentino among its most important and widely planted grapes.
Antichi Poderi Jerzu is situated within the commune of Jerzu, in the province of Ogliastra, on the eastern side of Sardinia. The rugged terrain between the coast and the mountains has a long association with viticulture, particularly Cannonau, the local name for the grape commonly known elsewhere as Grenache or Garnacha. In 1972, Cannonau di Sardegna received DOC status, with Jerzu becoming one of the denomination's historically important production areas.
The co-operative winery has also been actively involved in partnerships with authoritative and recognized institutes to deepen the understanding of its territory. These studies have resulted in the identification of nine distinct sub-areas within Jerzu, each with its own particular characteristics, helping the cooperative to develop a more nuanced collection of Cannonau di Sardegna wines that express the diversity of the local terroir.
As a specialist in Cannonau (and, to some extent, Vermentino), Jerzu Antichi Poderi produces a range of wines across five distinct wine ranges, with this Bantu coming from its Selezione range. The grapes for this 100% Cannonau were grown in the Jerzu area. The vines average 20 years of age and are planted on calcareous-schist soils at approximately 400 metres above sea level, with southwest exposure.
To craft this wine, the grapes were harvested when they reached an optimal balance between acidity and sugars, typically in mid-September. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were destemmed and crushed, followed by eight days of maceration in stainless-steel tanks. After fermentation, the wine remained in stainless steel for 10 months of maturation, followed by a further six months in 200 hL oak barrels in order to preserve the freshness of the fruit.
The climate in Sardinia can vary quite substantially depending on where you are located. In the northeastern part of the island, there was very little to no rain throughout the season, while the summer months were warm and arid, which resulted in an early and healthy harvest. Let's see how this 2023 Cannonau di Sardegna from Sardinia is tasting tonight...
100% Cannonau di Sardegna (a.k.a. Garnacha/Grenache). The lifted, medium-high intensity nose has plummy, wild berry, dark red cherry, cranberry, and pomegranate aromas mingling with rustic earth, Mediterranean herbs and spice notes. The medium+ weighted palate is dry and lively with fresh acidity lifting the spicy, peppery, wild berry, plum, Mediterranean herbs, cherry, earth, and pomegranate flavours. Pleasing bitter notes add a savoury component on the mid-palate, while the ripe and fine tannins have some youthful, chalky grip on the back palate. Nicely balanced flavours of spice, Mediterranean herbs, and wild berry taper to schisty minerals on the long, savoury finish. Quite unique and a recommended buy to enjoy over the coming 5 years! Score: 89 pts
Other lovely wines by Jerzu Antichi Poderi can be ordered through their Agent - DB Wine & Spirits.
It is produced by Jerzu Antichi Poderi, one of Sardinia's historically significant co-operative wineries, with deep roots in the viticultural traditions of the region that go back to the 12th century. While the cooperative itself was formally established in 1950, when a group of 18 winegrowers came together with a shared passion for wine, its history is rooted in the generations of grape growers who cultivated the vineyards of Jerzu and passed their knowledge from one generation to the next.
Today, Antichi Poderi Jerzu is made up of 408 members, all committed to fuelling a history that continues to move forward. Together, the member families tend 460 hectares of vineyards across a territory spanning 593 km² in Sardinia, the rugged Mediterranean island off Italy's western coast. Their vineyards range in elevation from 30 metres to a fairly lofty 786 metres above sea level.
Sardinia offers an extraordinarily diverse combination of hills and plains, coastal regions and inland areas, with considerable variation in topography and mesoclimate. The combination of Mediterranean maritime influences, cooling breezes, varied elevations and diverse soils and bedrock—including free-draining sands and gravels—creates highly favourable conditions for viticulture. With centuries of French and Spanish influence, the island is home to many important indigenous and international varieties, with Cannonau and Vermentino among its most important and widely planted grapes.
Antichi Poderi Jerzu is situated within the commune of Jerzu, in the province of Ogliastra, on the eastern side of Sardinia. The rugged terrain between the coast and the mountains has a long association with viticulture, particularly Cannonau, the local name for the grape commonly known elsewhere as Grenache or Garnacha. In 1972, Cannonau di Sardegna received DOC status, with Jerzu becoming one of the denomination's historically important production areas.
The co-operative winery has also been actively involved in partnerships with authoritative and recognized institutes to deepen the understanding of its territory. These studies have resulted in the identification of nine distinct sub-areas within Jerzu, each with its own particular characteristics, helping the cooperative to develop a more nuanced collection of Cannonau di Sardegna wines that express the diversity of the local terroir.
As a specialist in Cannonau (and, to some extent, Vermentino), Jerzu Antichi Poderi produces a range of wines across five distinct wine ranges, with this Bantu coming from its Selezione range. The grapes for this 100% Cannonau were grown in the Jerzu area. The vines average 20 years of age and are planted on calcareous-schist soils at approximately 400 metres above sea level, with southwest exposure.
To craft this wine, the grapes were harvested when they reached an optimal balance between acidity and sugars, typically in mid-September. Upon arriving at the winery, the grapes were destemmed and crushed, followed by eight days of maceration in stainless-steel tanks. After fermentation, the wine remained in stainless steel for 10 months of maturation, followed by a further six months in 200 hL oak barrels in order to preserve the freshness of the fruit.
The climate in Sardinia can vary quite substantially depending on where you are located. In the northeastern part of the island, there was very little to no rain throughout the season, while the summer months were warm and arid, which resulted in an early and healthy harvest. Let's see how this 2023 Cannonau di Sardegna from Sardinia is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
JERZU ANTICHI BANTU CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA 2023 - DOC, Sardinia, Italy (#51716) (XD) - $19.95100% Cannonau di Sardegna (a.k.a. Garnacha/Grenache). The lifted, medium-high intensity nose has plummy, wild berry, dark red cherry, cranberry, and pomegranate aromas mingling with rustic earth, Mediterranean herbs and spice notes. The medium+ weighted palate is dry and lively with fresh acidity lifting the spicy, peppery, wild berry, plum, Mediterranean herbs, cherry, earth, and pomegranate flavours. Pleasing bitter notes add a savoury component on the mid-palate, while the ripe and fine tannins have some youthful, chalky grip on the back palate. Nicely balanced flavours of spice, Mediterranean herbs, and wild berry taper to schisty minerals on the long, savoury finish. Quite unique and a recommended buy to enjoy over the coming 5 years! Score: 89 pts
Other lovely wines by Jerzu Antichi Poderi can be ordered through their Agent - DB Wine & Spirits.
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