Mount Eyre Vineyards Nero d’Avola 2022

Nero d’Avola is a variety hailing from Sicily, where the hot mediterranean climate coax out both rich fruit and spicy, savoury flavours. It makes perfect sense then that this variety should shine in the heartland of Australia’s Hunter Valley, Pokolbin. The fruit is bright and juicy with sour cherries, and a lifted, almost jubey raspberry (think Allens red frogs), freshly grated nutmeg and a pinch of dried herbs offering a spicy undertone to the fruit. That juicy fruit continues on the palate with an abundance of tangy plums. Flavours of crushed fennel seeds and Chinotto add a savoury edge, enhanced by chalky Red Delicious apple-skin tannins. Drink with crunchy eggplant parmigiana topped with rich tomato sauce and Grana Padano.