Sweet, ripe black cherry, and chocolate notes intermixed with notions of camphor and vanilla jump from the glass of this dark ruby/purple-hued 2004. With silky tannin, an attractive, elegant attack as well as mid-palate, and a flavor-filled finish, it is a tasty, yummy wine made from the indigenous Sicilian grape, Nero d’Avola. Enjoy it over the next several years.

A young wine that showed very well thanks to its bursting ripe fruit, crushed black pepper, and toasty nuttiness. The tannins are lusciously soft and the wine’s medium body make it an excellent drink-now proposition. Imported by Winebow.——M.L.(9/1/2005)—— 87