The 2007 Harmonium (Nero d’Avola) is a richly-textured offering laced with dark red raspberries, flowers, spices and French oak. The expansive, generous Harmonium delivers gorgeous depth, clarity and persistence on the palate in a full-bodied expression of Nero d’Avola. The French oak could be a little less intrusive, but this is nevertheless a highly successful wine from Firriato. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. I have to say I was deeply impressed with the wines I tasted from Firriato this year. Across the board this is a very solid line-up, which is particularly impressive considering the estate’s production is now nearly 5 million bottles per year spread across numerous properties in Sicily. Firriato is among the new entrants in the Etna, and those wines are among the highlights.Importer: Soilair Selection, New York, NY; tel. (646) 244-4922

Harmonium is a very rich and extracted take on Nero d’Avola that will appeal to those who love thick, extracted, warm climate wines. It would pair with succulent steak or barbecue pork ribs and offers loads of oak and red fruit intensity on the finish. ——M.L.(3/1/2011)—— 90