Back in 2017 I was intrigued to see if my theory about certain varieties from warm-climate dry-grown vineyards are ideal for light-bodied red wines, even to be enjoyed with a bit of a chill on it! That ended up being one of my most successful wines, so in 2022 I made my fourth wine from Nero d’Avola grown by the Chalmers family at their Merbein vineyard. Fruit was hand-picked then transported in a refrigerated truck and delivered to the winery the next day. It was de-stemmed and sat on skins for only five days which accounted for the majority of fermentation. Once pressed it completed its fermentation in a stainless-steel tank, then was transferred to mature French oak puncheons (500L). After spending six months in barrel the wine was racked and blended, then bottled in November 2022.

Indigenous Sicilian Nero d'avola grapes are harvested in the third week in September and fermented over 3 weeks. The wine is then aged for 12 months. It is dry with a nicely structured flavour and roundness. The flavours are reminiscent of alcohol preserved cherries highlighted by lovely lingering spices.

This dry red wine comes from Nero d'Aveola grapes, the native variety that represents one of the hallmarks of Sicilian winemaking. It offers a broad and persistent aroma of marasca cherry and spices, the flavour is superbly structured and offers a rich snsation of fruitiness and sweet spices to the palate.

Hailing from the home of the Nero d'Avola grape variety, this robust Nero from Feudo Principi di Butera could almost be mistaken for Shiraz such is the richness and voluptuousness of this wine. Dry cherries, dark chocolate and masses of ripe plums dominate a smooth & textured palate with lovely generosity and velvety tannins.

The Chalmers familys commitment to innovation and excellence has made them a pivotal force in the Australian wine scene for over 20 years. The Chalmers Nero dAvola is deliberately made in a drink-young, lifted red-fruit style reminiscent of the Cerasuolo wines of Vittoria. This wine shows a vibrant fruits-of-the-forest and blueberry nose with pretty rosehip aromatics. The medium-bodied palate marries savoury boysenberry fruit with chalky tannins, sweet spice and just a touch of blood orange.

Luscious sour cherry is here in full force, but a rugged herbaceous edge makes this alluring red wine quintessential. Enjoy Unico Zelo Mallee Gambit 2021 vintage with food cooked over coals. There is something about this wine that is so bloody captivating and it has an ineffable quality to it. Clare is known for its eucalyptus herbaceous signature, and that really shows in a unique way in Mallee Gambit. This is definitely the most ‘sour cherry’ Nero Unico Zelo produces - the classic tasting note for the variety - but there is a jubey, green edge to it. Think Shiso Leaf. They’re really getting used to this vineyard and in their fourth year of making it, they’ve hit their straps. A beautifully balanced acidity, the structure is super fine-grained and slatey. A distinctly unique Australian Nero D'avola.

A full-flavoured Sicilian Nero, framed by round and soft tannin.

Bright red fruits with flavours of red licorice and fennel. Powerful aromatics give this wine a really unique drinking experience.