Vigne Surrau, Cannonau Di Sardegna Sincaru, 2021

Grapes

Cannonau

Vintage report

Sardinia's 2021 vintage arrived with Mediterranean drama: a hot, dry summer that pushed harvest dates earlier than usual across the island. The heat was particularly intense in August, concentrating flavours but demanding precise timing from growers who had to balance ripeness against freshness. Cannonau vines, deeply rooted in the island's granite soils, handled the stress with typical resilience, while the coastal vineyards producing Vermentino benefited from sea breezes that preserved the grape's signature mineral brightness.

What emerged was a vintage of surprising intensity and focus. The Cannonau shows ripe dark fruit with a savoury backbone that keeps things lively rather than jammy, while Vermentino delivers concentrated citrus and herb flavours with more weight than usual but still that crucial seaside lift. Quality varies by producer—those who picked early and kept yields sensible made excellent wines, while others struggled with the heat. Most 2021s are drinking beautifully now and should continue to please for another three to five years, though the best Cannonau reserves will reward patience until 2028.