Lake Breeze Nero d’Avola 2021

From Sicily’s famous Nero d’Avola red variety, this is a fine addition to the Langhorne Creek grapescape and the climate is well suited to it. Lake Breeze first planted Nero in their sandy, light soils in 2018, meaning that this release is their first. The harvest is destemmed and then goes into open fermenters, along with “loads of whole berries”. Ageing is for seven months in five-year-old barriques, before the wine is bottled, unfiltered and unfined. Vibrant purple and bruised plum in colour. This is a deliciously fresh, juicy style with a whiff of pepper, notes of white chocolate, mulberries, plums, raspberries and more. Exuberant on the palate with deep flavours and some noticeable grip plus solid length. A good drink for a fresh red over summer which would be well suited to a little time chilling if that takes your fancy.