Social Sunday Heathcote Nero d'Avola 2016
About the wine
Plenty to ponder in this trend-setter
- This wine was grown and harvested from one of Heathcote's most highly regarded vineyards. The yield was meticulously managed to maintain healthy vines and fruit development. Leighton has gone big, including a high proportion of whole berry fruit to create some eye-widening aromas and palate complexity.
- You'll be thinking "there it is again", as each sip takes you to and fro between fruit and a balanced acid line. Its ruby red colour pairs delightfully with juicy blackberry aromas, leading to a flavour party of plum, blueberries and blackberries. An essential support roll to the fruit core is a savoury, apple like acid presence and a slowly unfolding web of fruit tannin.
- If your traditional preference is for the bigger Cabernet and Shiraz styles, you're likely to love this! Jump on in to the alternative variety, and you'll be ahead of the curve as more and more Aussie vineyards are reaping the benefits of planting this hardy Southern Italian varietal. Typically, Nero d'Avola from this particular vineyard retails at $30 and above, so Angels have got an incredible exclusive at under $16!
Best before
On a warm day, try serving this gorgeous red slightly chilled. You can happily open it now while young, knowing it is in good shape and ready to drink. Out of curiosity, try cellaring several bottles and open one each 6 months to experience the magic of age.
Serving advice
Give this wine a little time to breath. It's not imperative, however will help to open up the layers and give it more weight.
Food match
Leighton's top recommendation is beef ribs in a white wine vinegar marinade - sooo easy on a charcoal grill or BBQ. Maybe a little fennel, rocket and walnut salad on the side.
Contains sulphites
Always check the label
Australia
Heathcote
Nero D'Avola
Fruity Red
13.0% ABV
75cl
Vegan
Vegetarian
Wine profile
Meet the winemaker - Leighton Joy
- Leighton’s eyes were opened to the idea of winemaking when he started working in his father's sultana vineyard. In 1999, his father and uncle went on to establish Pyren vineyard in the beautiful Victorian Pyrenees (now a critically acclaimed winery), and his winemaking journey began.
- Before long, Leighton had racked up crates of experience and multiple medals - including the Western Victoria Wine Challenge trophy for Best Shiraz and Best Wine. But running a small business is never plain sailing and in 2015, Pyren hit a rough spot that threatened to close its doors.
- Getting Naked changed everything for Leighton as thousands of Angels came to the rescue and tripled his wine sales overnight. Today, he continues to craft single-vineyard drops from the family’s precious vines, pouring endless amounts of honesty and integrity into each bottle. And in 2020 it earned him a spot on the Top 50 Young Guns of Wine list.
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