22/05/05 – Gulfi (Italy) Nero d’Avola ‘Nerojbleo’ 2001

Gulfi (Italy) Nero d’Avola ‘Nerojbleo’ 2001
Gulfi is a Sicilian estate, that was formed only in 1996, although based on old vineyards that had been there for many decades. Rather than sell off his production, new owner and winemaker Vito Catania began to produce estate wines, in tiny qualtities. His entire 2001 production of all wines was only around 8,000 cases. Subsequently there is not a lot of this about, so you will have to try your local Oddbins, though it is availble from Oddbins.com at time of writing. It has a very bright aromatic character, with wonderfully expressive cherry and raspberry fruit, but also a touch of truffle and undergrowth and a creamy suggestion of sweetness. A huge rush of ripe, full, fruit sweetness strikes the palate, with a silky texture and long, toasty finish where chocolate-thick tannins and good acidity underpin the lushness of fruit. £10.69 Oddbins.