2018 NERO d’AVOLA. Mandrarossa Terre di Sommacco, Sicily.

Mandrarossa is produced as part of the Settesoli Co-operative which has over 6,000 hectares of Sicilian vineyards (farming 32 different varieties) split between its 2,000 members. First produced in 1999 the Mandrarossa label and philosophy is to produce the finest expression of indigenous grapes from top vineyard locations.

The thinking and research were driven by President Giuseppe Bursi, consultant winemaker Alberto Antonini (who also consults for Bodega Garzón in Uruguay), soil specialist Pedro Parra, and head winemaker Mimmo de Gregorio.

This Nero d’Avola comes from two vineyard sites – some 1.5 hectares in size in total – at 310 metres altitude on soils of chalk and clay. Grapes were hand harvested and fermented in concrete egg tanks before being aged in large French oak casks for 19 months. It was then rested in bottle for nearly another year before release.

Full bodied, this wine is silky despite its power, with a rounded mouthfeel. A bold mix of black and blueberry fruit, a touch of savoury jam and chocolate – unctuous and individual!