BTL $46.95+ (12x750ml)

Nero D’Avola, Nocera, Nerello Mascalese

“The small Vigna Nica estate counts less than 5 ha of vineyards (Nica means small in dialect) and produces organically-farmed wines (with biodynamic practices) from the historic Mamertino region on the Sicilian coast north of Etna, whose wines were a favorite of Julius Caesar. The Riserva is blend of Nero d’Avola, Nocera, and Nerello Mascalese aged 12 months in 500l French oak tonneau, and delivers a spectacular aromatic display of red and black fruit, fresh and dried, alongside a mix of wild herbs, orange peel, fennel and delicate wood spice in a complex Mediterranean guise. I like the honesty and transparency, a wine without artifice, just healthy, high quality grapes transformed simply into engaging wine. There's still quite a lot of tannic grip and grit, and a mineral-saline quality that frames the flavours, while acids are comfortably ripe but firm. It's a traditional style through and through, a genuine Sicilian expression, drinking now (decanted, with salty protein), or cellerable another 4-7 years I'd estimate, given the structure. An historic wine re-imagined, and well worth a look.” John Szabo-92 points-winealign.com