Sicilian Nero D'Avolas

[Auburnwine]

Howdy Amigos!

It's been forever since I've had an opportunity to chat with you good folks, and this note will be brief.

Do check-out nero d'avolas from Sicily. They are some of the best wines and some of the best wine bargains around. I earlier sang the praises of the 2002 Morgante Sicily Nero d’Avola as more zin-like than the primitivos.

We did a blind tasting of the Abbazia Santa Anastasia Passomaggio 2000 (80% Nero d'Avola softened with 20% Merlot). Everyone swore it was a mature cab (go figure!).

Warm and full, with a hint of caramel and coffee and lots of good, ripe berries. Long finish. Somewhat New-Worldish, as are a growing number of Sicilian wines.

Cheers!

[This message has been edited by Auburnwine (edited 04-06-2004).]

[Innkeeper]

Glad to hear from you. Sounds great.

[winoweenie]

Welcome back ole' Auburn Critter. Wheres' you been? WW

[Auburnwine]

Where have I been?

Working too dang hard! And the eleven-year-old tried to scare his parents with an oddity of the optic nerve that seemed to (falsely, thank Bacchus!) indicate nasty things. But all is well now.

[Drew]

Do agree with you on the Nero d'Avola's eg. the 2001 "St. Nasty".

http://wines.com/ubb2/Forum13/HTML/000416.html

Drew

[Botafogo]

Yep! We just got back from VinItaly where we had dinner with the fine folks at Azienda Curto who make stunners from NDA and also tasting some very nice examples from Barone la Lumia and Ceuso di Melea. It is interesting that two of our favorite varietals, NDA and Lagrein Dunkel have similar textures and uses at table yet come from as far south (Sicilia) and as far North (Alto Adige) as you can get!

Roberto

[Auburnwine]

I have a Lagrein Dunkel that I am anxious to try.

Drew, I don't know the Santa Anastasia offerings beyond the Passomaggio. Was this the one of which you spoke? You seem to have gotten it for several dollars less than what I paid (around $17).