Nativo - Murales
The Sardinian wine landscape expresses one of its most fascinating and profound identities through the production philosophy of Cantina Murales, a winery rooted in the heart of Gallura, in Olbia. The winery stands out for its ability to combine respect for the island's agricultural traditions with a meticulous artisanal approach. Each label tells the story of an unbreakable bond with a land that is both rugged and generous, where care for the soil leaves no room for shortcuts. Nativo is produced through precise vineyard management in the municipality of Sant'Antonio di Gallura, at an altitude of 380 metres above sea level. Here, the optimal exposure of the vineyards and the planting density encourage balanced ripening, while the Mediterranean sun and breezes rising from the coast create an ideal microclimate for developing complex and multifaceted aromatic profiles.
The harvest represents the culmination of a year of meticulous manual work among the vines. The grapes are harvested entirely by hand in the first days of October, with careful selection in small batches, preserving the integrity of the fruit before it reaches the winery. The winemaking process follows traditional principles designed to enhance the raw material without altering it: fermentation takes place in concrete tanks at carefully controlled temperatures. The real secret behind the structure of this red wine, however, lies in its long and patient ageing process. After the first months in concrete, the wine develops for eighteen months in wooden tonneaux, a stage that smooths the tannins and enriches its extractive structure. The process concludes with a further six months of bottle ageing before release.
Visually, the wine presents a deep, intense ruby-red colour, anticipating the richness of its structure. On the nose, it offers a rich, persistent bouquet that continues to evolve in the glass. Distinct aromas of wild berries and ripe cherry emerge first, intertwined with elegant floral nuances of rose and violet. The extended ageing in wood adds tertiary notes reminiscent of vanilla, cocoa and nutmeg, resting on a distinctive background of maritime Mediterranean scrub and woodland. On the palate, it reveals a structure of great concentration and elegance, with the alcohol perfectly balanced by vibrant freshness and soft tannins. This profile makes it ideal with robust traditional dishes, while its versatility is particularly surprising when served slightly cooler, where it pairs beautifully with oily fish.
