2024 Chalmers Nero d'Avola

The Chalmers family have done more than anyone to prove how well Italian varieties can thrive in Australian conditions, and their Nero d’Avola is a perfect example of that. Sourced from their Heathcote vineyard, where basalt and shale soils sit over a mix of dolerite, quartz and limestone, this wine shows why Nero is one of the great future hopes for warm-climate reds in this country.

It’s made simply and cleanly - wild-fermented with whole berries in stainless steel, no acid additions, unfined and vegan-friendly. The goal here isn’t polish; it’s freshness and drinkability.

The fruit is lively and full of energy: blackcurrant, cherry, cranberry and a little violet perfume on the nose, leading into a juicy palate of red and purple fruits. There’s a gentle tug of tannin and a savoury edge that keeps it from feeling sweet. It's one of those reds that drinks well at cellar temperature or with a short chill on a warm day.

A great introduction to the Chalmers style, and a reminder of just how adaptable Nero d’Avola can be in the right hands.