Babo Nero d’Avola 2020

Back in 2009, Justin Bubb had spent almost a decade in Italy leading the transformation of the winemaking at famed winery, Castello Di Gabbiano. He had been sent there to help improve the winemaking and also be a conduit for the Australian owners at the time. Originally only planning to stay for a short period, Justin was instrumental in growing the winery. He also was able to spend time working vintage in some of the most famed wine regions of Italy including Piedmonte, Veneto and Sicilia. His time in Europe had also helped him see there was an opportunity to bring great quality Italian wines back to Australia. Having decided to return to Australia with Anna Pooley his new wife, he sketched out very briefly wanted to do. He wanted to produce great value Italian wines, to shake any stuffy stereotypes of Italian wines, by offering contemporary styles that suited the wine savvy palates of Australians. He also wanted to continue working with the amazing growers and connections he had with his adopted country of Italy. Taking an Italian nickname for a tool that measures ‘baume’ in fruit, Babo was born. Nero d’Avola’s reputation has obviously tracked Sicily’s wine renaissance, but this wasn’t always the case. Historically this grape was considered rustic, thanks to the many chunky and musclebound wines that it produced. As Justin Bubb states, “Most of the time I found that Nero d’Avola in Sicilia was made in this really ripe, high-octane style and the wines lacked freshness and punch.” Hence, Babo’s Nero is sourced from Sambuca di Sicilia, near Menfi, where the north facing, fossil-rich soils and cooling influence of both sea and nearby Lake Arancio, tend to produce a more subtle, spicy style of Nero d’Avola–without betraying the wine’s traditional Mediterranean generosity. Everything about the processing points to a winemaker looking for freshness and finesse, and that’s just what you get here. Expect a lifted perfume of freshly crushed blueberries and plum with flecks of aniseed and dried mountain herbs. The palate is loaded with the same fruit, yet it’s fresh and lively with a cool, powdery close. Yet another brilliant value from Justin Bubb. The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Nero d’Avola Country – Italy Region – Sambuca di Sicilia, Agrigento, Sicilia Vintage – 2020 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 13.5% Other – Vegan Friendly