Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva DOP Organic

The Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva DOP BIO is the flagship wine of Fattorie Isola, an organic farm in Sardinia. The Cannonau Riserva is the most ambitious and long-lived version of the island's iconic grape—a grape cultivated in Sardinia for over three thousand years, among the oldest in the Mediterranean. In this Riserva version, it expresses all its depth thanks to a long maceration and an aging period of 6-8 months in oak tonneau barrels. The result is a structured, enveloping, and complex red wine, with a personality that tells the story of Sardinia's sun, granite, and wind.

The winemaking process is traditional and respectful: long maceration of organic Cannonau grapes, then—after one year from fermentation—aging for 6-8 months in oak tonneau barrels before bottling. The tonneau barrels (500-liter barrels) impart a more delicate woody component to the wine compared to barriques, better preserving the fruit and minerality of the Cannonau. Cannonau is also the grape of Sardinian longevity: rich in polyphenols and resveratrol, it is associated with the extraordinary life expectancy of the inhabitants of Ogliastra, one of the five "Blue Zones" worldwide.

Bright amaranth red color. Broad and enveloping on the nose: marasca cherry, raisin, vanilla, and sweet spices from the oak. Soft on the palate, with good persistence and a long, complex aftertaste.

Grape: Cannonau 100% | Vintage: 2022 | Alcohol: 14% | Format: 0.75 L
Serving temperature: 18–20°C
Winemaking: Long maceration. After one year from fermentation, aging 6-8 months in oak tonneau. Bottling.

Recommended for

For those who love structured and enveloping reds with wood aging that adds complexity without masking the fruit. Cannonau Riserva is the right choice for an important dinner, a quality gift, or for those who want to discover Cannonau in its deepest and most long-lived expression—very different from young and immediate Cannonau wines.

When to drink

It is already enjoyable today thanks to tonneau aging, but it has all the characteristics to evolve magnificently in the next 5-8 years. Decant it at least 45 minutes before serving to unlock its aromatic complexity. Serve at 18–20°C.

Taste characteristics

A soft and enveloping Cannonau, where the richness of the fruit—marasca cherry, raisin—integrates with the vanilla and sweet spices imparted by the oak tonneau. The long maceration gives structure and silky tannins. The finish is long, persistent, with a pleasant aftertaste that invites another sip.

Why we chose this wine

Because Fattorie Isola's Cannonau Riserva represents Cannonau in its most complete form—organic, long maceration, aging in oak tonneau for 6-8 months. It is a wine that tells the story of Sardinia with depth and clearly distinguishes itself from industrial Cannonau wines. We propose it as the reference Sardinian red in our selection.

FAQ

What dishes pair well with Cannonau Riserva BIO?
Grilled meat, game, roasted lamb, Sardinian suckling pig (porcetto sardo), aged hard cheeses like Pecorino Sardo. Also excellent with more elaborate traditional Sardinian dishes.

What are oak tonneau barrels and how do they influence the wine?
Tonneau barrels are 500-liter barrels—larger than barriques (225 liters) and smaller than traditional large barrels. They impart vanilla and sweet spice aromas to the wine more delicately than barriques, better preserving the fruit and minerality of the Cannonau. The 6-8 months of aging add complexity without standardizing the varietal profile.

Why is Cannonau associated with Sardinian longevity?
Cannonau is one of the wines richest in polyphenols and resveratrol in the world. Scientific studies have linked moderate consumption of Cannonau to the extraordinary life expectancy of the inhabitants of Ogliastra, one of the five "Blue Zones" worldwide where the highest number of centenarians is concentrated.

Is it a certified organic wine?
Yes. Fattorie Isola is a certified organic farm in Sardinia. No synthetic pesticides are used in the vineyard.