Juicy and savory, this has aromas evoking black-skinned berry, crushed mint, carob and a hint of Mediterranean brush. On the linear, taut palate, dusty tannins accompany juicy blackberry, blueberry and almond. Drink through 2023.

Tasted from magnum, the 2015 Sicilia Nero d'Avola Vrucara is a dark and penetrating wine with a chiseled and pungent side that delivers dried cherry and blackberry preserves. There is a point of ripeness, maybe even jammy cherry with lots of inky dark fruit. I knocked off a point or two compared to the previous edition because I am less a fan of that ripeness. You get cherry liqueur or cherry syrup sweetness on the close. However, this remains one of the benchmark bottles for Sicily's banner grape Nero d'Avola.

Made with organically farmed Nero d'Avola, this offers compelling aromas of mature dark-skinned berry, new leather and underbrush. The savory, structured palate delivers ripe black cherry, star anise and crushed mint set alongside lithe, polished tannin's and fresh acidity. Enjoy through 2025.

This opens with heady scents of honeysuckle and tropical fruit and a whiff of Mediterranean brush. The racy, refreshing palate doles out yellow peach, pineapple and grapefruit alongside a saline note.