Tasting Notes
From Montisci’s high-altitude, old-vine Cannonau parcels in Mamoiada, Barrosu is a powerful yet remarkably refined expression of Sardinia’s granite heartland. The nose is vivid and pure, offering wild cherry, raspberry and blood orange alongside scents of myrtle, dried flowers, spice and warm granite. The palate is intense but lifted, with ripe red fruit wrapped in fine, chalky tannins and a line of bright acidity that keeps everything tense and focused. Subtle herbal and mineral notes emerge with air, giving the wine depth without weight. Long, vibrant and quietly majestic, this is Cannonau at its most expressive and articulate—an unmistakable signature of Giovanni Montisci’s touch and the unique landscape of Mamoiada. - Chris L
Giovanni Montisci is one of Sardinia’s most revered artisan growers, known for producing some of the island’s purest and most soulful expressions of Cannonau. Based in Mamoiada, at the heart of Barbagia in central Sardinia, Montisci farms a collection of small, old-vine parcels planted on decomposed granite at elevations of around 700 metres. These high, windswept vineyards—many inherited through his family—yield naturally low quantities of deeply flavoured, concentrated fruit.
Montisci works entirely by hand and follows a philosophy of minimal intervention both in the vineyard and the cellar. Farming is organic, with deep respect for the land, and the old bush vines (many 80–100 years old) are tended meticulously. In the winery, fermentations are spontaneous with native yeasts, extraction is gentle, and ageing takes place in large old oak casks, allowing the wines to develop transparency, finesse and a quiet power without any heaviness.
The estate’s flagship wine, Barrosu, has become a cult reference for Cannonau—perfumed, structured and remarkably elegant—while limited single-vineyard bottlings showcase the nuance of Mamoiada’s varied granite soils. Montisci’s wines express the soul of Barbagia: intense yet refined, rooted in tradition, and shaped by a profound understanding of place.
| Product Type | Wine Red Grenache & Friends |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sardinia |
| Sub Region | Mamoiada |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |