Nero d’Avola & Pignatello, Marsala, Sicily, Italy

A spiced and lifted, but densely packed Sicilian red blend ripe with conviction. From a lineage awash in viticulture, and a serious stronghold of agricultural know-how, winemaker Nino Barraco has been working organically since Barraco’s 2004 inception. Working with the regional grapes of western Sicily, his lineup is like a drinkable still life of the Marsala landscape. From vines planted over sandy soils heavily influenced by the Mediterranean, this 50/50 blend of spicy, herbal pignatello (aka perricone) and fruit-frenzied nero d'avola sees 14 days on skins before aging between stainless steel and chestnut barrels for just a touch of woody lustre. Cherry perfume, spiced blackberry jam, olives in brine, peppercorn & baby carrots. Enjoy with your favourite nightshades in a ratatouille, baba ghanoush or lasagna.