Precious Little Barossa Valley Marananga Nero d’Avola 2021
- 92
- $30
- Drink by: 2022-2026
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Nero d’Avola may be little more than a curiosity to most Aussie winelovers, but the levels of quality that this Sicilian wonder can achieve suggest that it won’t be long before it enjoys a much wider audience here, deservedly so. The highly regarded subregion of Marananga, in the Barossa Valley, may be a fair way from the vineyards of Sicily but it is proving to be a most welcoming home to this grape. The wine underwent a largely natural ferment and then spent time maturing in old French oak. Magenta/purple in colour, this is a delightful combination of the spicy and the savoury. There is good concentration throughout, with notes of florals, raspberries, mulberries and cold tea before a juicy grip with a long, soft, lingering finish. Delicious now, the palate reveals waves of chocolate and coffee grind notes. A wine full of flavour, but one which should drink well for at least another three to four years, likely longer. Love it.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
