Mandrarossa, Sicilia IGT (Sicily, Italy) 2018

 Full disclosure:  Petit Verdot as a monovarietal ranks among my least favorite wines.  Which makes this wine all the more impressive.  I was struck by its elegance and balance and then amazed when I discovered it was made entirely from Petit Verdot.  Wow!  It has unbelievable elegance and energy for that grape. It delivers spice, a subdued fruitiness, and most amazingly, balance.  Weighing in at a modest 13 percent-stated alcohol, it has a wonderful combination of juiciness and suaveness.  Those looking for an enormously powerful wine will be disappointed.  Those looking for finesse combined with power will be, like I was, surprised and pleased.