Genofranco Nero d'Avola 2004

Pictured is the 2003; I simply could not handle the 2003 when I first tried it. Being even more inexperienced back then than I am now, I insisted that the bottle had gone bad. Now, comparing the 2004 to the '03, I'm convinced that the whole variatal is this way.

The nose on this wine is odd; it comes across like red wine, but with something additional. Not spicy, perhaps salty if one can even smell salt. Reminiscient of ham. Alcohol is very present, especially once the wine is sipped. The 13.5% alcohol content isn't supported by much fruit, and the warmth is noticeable as an alcohol intensity rises up the palate and into the nose. There's an herbacious spice along with leather or maybe tobacco. Austere is a good word. Lots of tannins, and rich, understated blackberries under all that.

It's not for the casual consumer. This is an interesting wine, not entirely pleasurable on it's own, but it has an intensity worth experiencing. Pair with equally intense foods - balsalmic vinegar with oily bruschetta, fatty, rich meats, eggplant with anise-heavy marinara. Quite a value for the usual $10 price tag, if you're looking to experience something interesting.