Freddy R. Troya

9.8

Ràfia — Vermentino di Sardegna DOC, 2025
Alghero, Sardegna, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A single-vineyard Vermentino from Cantina Santa Maria La Palma in Alghero, Sardegna DOC. Crafted in a more serious, artisan style, this expression elevates the grape beyond casual coastal refreshment into structured, cellar-worthy territory. Presented in a dark, thick bottle that signals intent and longevity, with drinking potential comfortably through 2030.

Aromas & Flavors
Layered and intense. Bright citrus oil, white peach, and ripe pear intertwine with pronounced saline minerality and Mediterranean herbs. Subtle almond, crushed stone, and sun-warmed rock nuances give it depth and dimension. The aromatic profile feels sculpted rather than merely fresh.

Mouthfeel
Textured, structured, and persistent. Acidity is vibrant but seamlessly integrated, carrying the wine with precision and energy. There’s weight and density on the mid-palate, yet it never loses tension. The finish is long, mineral-driven, and deeply satisfying, the kind that keeps pulling you back for another sip.

Food Pairings
Lobster, grilled prawns, whole roasted branzino, bottarga pasta, saffron seafood risotto, aged pecorino, or refined Mediterranean cuisine with depth and intensity.

Verdict
The standout Vermentino of the entire event, and arguably one of the finest expressions you’ve tasted. This is not just a refreshing white; it’s a benchmark, showing how Sardegna can produce Vermentino with structure, aging capacity, and artisan identity. A collective choice for a reason.

🍷 Personal Pick
I simply couldn’t stop reaching for this glass. When a wine commands that kind of attention without fatigue, you know you’ve encountered something special. A top-tier Vermentino that redefines expectations and earns a place among the very best. — 2 months ago

Kathleen Bailey

9.0

Sweet and minty — 9 years ago

Vitaliy Kotyakov

9.8

A nicely crafted Pinot Noir. I would definitely get it again. — 12 years ago

Catherine Leith

9.7

Absolutely amazing. Probably one of the best meads I've ever had. It is heavy and sweet and packed with notes of fresh ripe fruit. — 9 months ago

Rob

9.2

Haven’t had much mead in my life. This is only the second one I’ve had, but I definitely enjoyed it more than first one I had 👌🏼 — 5 years ago

Shelley Osborne

10

Banana, spice, little notes of caramel & coffee. Maybe the best mead I've had! — 9 years ago

Kimberly Anderson

9.1

Really interesting. Crisp, slightly sweet, and slightly sour. With spring pea, pea shoot, green apple soup with Marconi almond dashe — 10 years ago

with Chad

Ceccherini Cristiano

9.4

Perhaps the best Coda di Volpe i've ever had
60yo vines, 4 days maceration and 30% of the mass fermented in chestnut barriques; after that 12 months in stainless steel.
Wine that truly is alive
It feels like still fermenting(but it's not)
It makes me picture kimchi, ginger and daikon
It has this tingling fruit and a mineral tension
Background of honey and gunpowder plus a decoration of spring flowers
It goes without saying how highly i consider Cantina Giardino, the barrels they use are all crafted by a local artisan with local woods among chestnuts(like in this case), cherry, figs or others that might slip out of my mind at present.
This is a wine made of beauty with no make up.
It's long and refreshing and super enjoyable. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

An excellent Scottish Gin showing fragrant botanicals with juniper and heather aromas. Very delicious with good Indian Tonic. — 8 years ago

Tamara

9.5

11.4.16 Repeat Yum! $9.99 — 9 years ago