From a Sicilian family estate traditionally spacious in the possession of dirt and a first review of Nero d’Avola hereabouts. Fresh cherry red and cherry flavours to match. Tang of cherry juice and a sweetness of dried cherry too. Light dusting of spice. A fragrant overlay of dried herbs, sage and almost oregano, appropriate for Sicily. Touch of clove and dusty wood. Only just ripe enough with a pucker of perky acidity and fresh tea tannin. The data sheet says 20% new oak but it’s not imposing as it wafts in and out and tickles the tannins as it closes. Bright and cheerful the first day. Perhaps my palate wobbled the second day or the fruit is a touch under ripe and green as there’s a lurking bitter end. Bit of sulphide or green, not sure. Could be just failing faculties as I thought it tasty at first.
13.5% alcohol. Nomacorc. $24 Dan’s member’s special.
91 points day one, 87 day two or palate aberration? Probably not on the list to buy again, so I may never know.
This isn’t turning out to be the most inspiring monthly Dan’s six imports. A longtime interest in things Portuguese and a not exactly overwhelming choice at Dan’s meant another look at the Coutada Velha Signature from the Monte da Ravasqueira estate. Must admit to trying the 2019 version which didn’t excite enough to heartily recommend. Too much in the ripe unctuous style for me. No doubt others would enjoy the rich fruit more. The 2020 has appeared on the shelves. Running out of new options, I reckoned it worth a look as the Alentejo can be a happy place for bright, rich and good value wine. Quite developed for its age, sweet dried berries, orange skin oil, soy and dashi savoury to season. Quite old school Australian in shape with a burst of up the front fruit that tapers to a tangy end that sits a little outside the flavours. Second day, there’s a bit of lift and some of that Iberian rocky cut emerges. A blend of Aragonez or Tempranillo, Trincadeira and Touriga Nacional. Google research, is there any other sort, suggests there’s an Australian chief winemaker at Ravasqueira. I remember reading about David Baverstock overhauling old dirty winery practices in the early 1990s in the Alentejo. Still going strong it seems with bottles of wide appeal. At the price they make a strong claim.
13.5% alcohol. Diam. $18.10 in a six.
89 solid points.
Well, that wasn’t the best six from Dan’s. The last bottle a 2018 Frescobaldi Nipozanno Chianti Rufina Riserva was very disappointing, especially as their Montesodi bottling has been amongst my best Tuscans ever. Opened smelling of horse farts and got worse. Clean your barrels you wealthy Frescobaldi aristocrats, you can afford it.
13.5% alcohol and you’d be desperate. Diam. $32 member’s special.
No score, thought I’d offer a view to help avoidance.
Cognitive Bottle Therapy 