Nero D'Avola DOC Saia 2018 Feudo Maccari

Here is another pure expression of Nero d'Avola that aspires to bring us the most sophisticated and nuanced approach to a grape that is too often relegated to basic workhorse functions that are far below its potential. Wines like this have successfully carved out a space for high-end Sicilian reds in retailers across the world. The Feudo Maccari 2018 Sicilia Saia is proud and generous, with thick layers of dark fruit folded into soft oak and spice. This release of 65,000 bottles tastes great now, straight out of the gate, so there isn't much need to wait longer.

Sweet and sour-cherry with walnut and toasted-oak aromas that follow through to a full body with juicy fruit and chewy tannin on the palate. Savory. Smoky meat at the end with lovely fruit.

Candied violet and spice aromatics on the nose accent flavors of black raspberry preserves, red licorice, fig cake and loamy earth in this fresh, fragrant and medium- to full-bodied red. Fine-grained tannins emerge to firm the finish.

The 2018 Nero d'Avola Saia is dark and rich with sweet herbs, tobacco and balsamic spice giving way to ripe plums. Its fleshy textures envelope the palate in an intense wave of ripe black fruits, balanced by brisk acids and saline-mineral tones that add a more grippy feel toward the close. Notes of sage and blackberries linger long through the finale, over a coating of round tannins. The 2018 is showing very nicely, but it should also mature well through medium-term cellaring.