Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva

Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva is a 750ml, 13.5% ABV Sardinian red wine made from 100% Cannonau grapes under the Cannonau di Sardegna DOC. This Riserva earned the #44 spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2021 and has received 91 points from Vinous, signaling serious critical recognition for a wine at its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Sardinia, Italy  |  Cannonau di Sardegna DOC Riserva  |  Producer: Sella & Mosca

Production & Heritage

Sella & Mosca is one of Sardinia's most established wine estates, founded in 1899 in the northwestern corner of the island near Alghero. The Cannonau Riserva is crafted from 100% Cannonau — the Sardinian name for Grenache — fermented on its skins in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats between 64°F and 82°F, then aged for six months in barrel before release. Winemaker Giovanni Pinna oversees a style that prioritizes freshness and varietal purity over heavy extraction, a deliberate contrast to the richer, more tannic expressions found elsewhere on the island. The warm, sea-influenced summers of Sardinia concentrate the fruit, while earlier harvesting relative to many mainland Grenache wines preserves bright acidity and red-berry vibrancy.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh roses and dried flowers lead, followed by layers of cardamom, wild strawberry, and a whisper of dried herbs. The bouquet is lifted and inviting without heaviness.

Taste: The entry is silky and cool-toned, with pureed raspberry and dried cherry forming a concentrated mid-palate core. Wild sage and citrus peel emerge as the wine opens, underscored by a subtle streak of salinity that keeps the fruit grounded. Mineral-tinged red and blue fruits gain inner sweetness toward the close.

Finish: Medium in length with soft, polished tannins and a lingering touch of spice. A faint saline note carries through, leaving the palate clean and refreshed.

How to Drink Cannonau Riserva

This Riserva drinks beautifully at cellar temperature — around 60–64°F — poured into a large-bowled glass that lets the floral aromatics bloom. It responds well to 20 minutes of air before the first pour. For cocktail-adjacent serves, try it in a Kalimotxo, where its herbal depth and salinity stand up to cola's sweetness with unexpected complexity. It also works in a classic Sangria, contributing dried cherry and sage character without getting lost among citrus and brandy. A simple red wine spritz with sparkling water and an orange twist makes a lighter warm-weather option that highlights its natural freshness.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners featuring tomato-based pastas or roasted vegetables
• Introducing a wine-curious friend to serious Sardinian reds without overwhelming tannin
• Building a Mediterranean wine collection alongside Rhône and Southern French reds
• Pairing with charcuterie boards anchored by aged pecorino and cured meats

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cannonau Riserva taste like? It delivers dried cherry, pureed raspberry, and wild sage with a saline mineral undertone and soft, polished tannins. The profile is fresh and medium-bodied rather than heavy, with a spiced, clean finish.

How does Cannonau Riserva compare to Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Both wines are Grenache-dominant, but Sella & Mosca's Cannonau Riserva tends toward brighter red fruit and Mediterranean salinity, while Châteauneuf-du-Pape typically shows riper, darker fruit with herbal notes of dried oregano and tobacco leaf at a significantly higher price point. The Sardinian bottling is harvested earlier, preserving more acidity and freshness than most Southern Rhône Grenache.

Is Cannonau Riserva good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balanced acidity, medium body, and layered aromatics of roses, strawberry, and sage make it an engaging standalone pour, especially with a slight chill and some time to breathe.

Where is Cannonau Riserva made? It is produced by Sella & Mosca, a historic estate founded in 1899 near Alghero in northwestern Sardinia, Italy. The wine is classified under the Cannonau di Sardegna DOC, a designation exclusive to the island.

What foods pair well with Cannonau Riserva? Roasted lamb seasoned with rosemary complements its herbal character. Aged pecorino sardo mirrors the wine's Sardinian origin and saline edge. Pasta with slow-cooked pork ragù echoes its dried cherry and spice notes. Grilled eggplant and red pepper dishes play off its medium weight, and cured salami or coppa aligns with its soft tannin structure.

What sizes does Cannonau Riserva come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Cannonau Riserva worth the price? It positions as a strong value within the Riserva category — a DOC-classified, barrel-aged Sardinian red with multiple 90-plus-point scores that competes well above its weight against pricier Grenache-based wines from Southern France and Spain.

Why Cannonau Riserva?

Landing at #44 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2021 is a distinction few wines at this price tier achieve, and it reflects a consistent level of quality rather than a single exceptional vintage. The combination of stainless steel fermentation and six months of barrel aging produces a wine that retains the grape's natural floral lift and red-fruit brightness while adding just enough structure and complexity to justify the Riserva designation. Sardinia's Cannonau grape — genetically identical to Grenache but shaped by island terroir, sea breezes, and diurnal temperature swings — yields a flavor profile distinctly its own: more saline, more herbal, and more immediate than most mainland versions. For anyone exploring Mediterranean reds beyond the Rhône and Priorat, this bottling is a logical and rewarding next step.