Giovinazzo, California (United States) Nero d’Avola 2015

This wine won’t confuse you into thinking you tasting something from Sicily rather than California, but with that noted, it might also prompt you to place a bet on Nero d’Avola’s future in the Golden State.  The rather heavy overlay of vanillin oak will prove more pleasing to some tasters than others, but the good news is that there’s plenty of juicy, fresh, red-toned fruit underneath.  Moreover, the wood rides up on the aromatics of this wine rather than asserting itself on the mid-palate or in the form of any astringency in the finish.  Built for food, as befits an homage to Italian wine, but not necessarily robust food, this could be perfect for lightly spicy preparations of poultry.  A Double Gold award winner at the 2017 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition.