VILLA TONINO Nero d`Avola 2008 Since the 1999 vintage, Alberto Antonini has acted as a consultant to the Curatolos and brought with him the modern winemaking skills that allow the native Sicilian varieties he is working with to express their maximum potential. The resulting Villa Tonino wines are uniformly excellent, combining the richness that Sicily can provide with the freshness only someone with Alberto.s winemaking experience can retain. The vineyards are located in two different areas, one near Marsala and the other in Central Sicily, at around 420 metres above sea level on clay soils. The grapes from the former region, normally an area regarded as being cool for Nero d‘Avola, have given vibrancy and an aromatic dimension to the wine, while the latter, a hotter, drier zone, provides the colour, weight and structure. The climate is Mediterranean with mild winters and hot summers. The grapes were picked in September. The grapes were destemmed and pressed. Fermentation took place in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature. The wine was aged in used French and American oak for 2 months. Deep, dark red in colour with an exuberant, cherry and plum nose which gives way to a ripe, fruit-packed palate, rounded soft tannins with nevertheless plenty of grip. A lovely spicy, smoky finish completes this modern version of a classic southern Italian grape variety. Vintage 2008 Grape varieties 100% Nero d‘Avola Region Marsala Winemaker Alberto Antonini Closure Cork Alcohol (ABV) 13% Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £47.98 (Including VAT at 20%)