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Argiolas

Winemaker Mariano Murru works with renowned consultant Giacomo Tachis—who helped create the famed Super-Tuscan Sassicaia—to make the Argiolas family’s lineup of vibrant, rich wines. While the reds are impressive (especially the Korem, a blend of Bovale Sardo, Cannonau and Carignano), the bright, lemony 2005 Costamolino Vermentino ($13) is one of the best whites Sardinia has to offer.

Santadi

Though many of the island’s vineyards are further inland, Santadi sits near the craggy southwestern coastline in the Sulcis region. Here, winemaker Davide Pera has perfected several well-structured bottlings of Carignano. For example, his 2003 Rocca Rubia Riserva ($29) is lush and round, with an herbal nose and black cherry fruit.

Sella & Mosca

Sardinia’s largest producer is best known for bottlings of such native varietals as Vermentino and Cannonau, but its 2005 Terre Bianche Torbato di Alghero ($19), from the Torbato grape, is well worth checking out. Sella & Mosca is one of the only wineries in the world that still bothers to grow this finicky varietal, and the effort pays off in this minerally white, which is barrel-aged for three months to give it a sweet apple-pie aroma. —Megan Krigbaum