Cantine Colosi Nero d'Avola 2007

We are big fans of the Colosi "Rosso", so when I saw this bottle along side it at out local liquor store I grabbed one of each. This bottle costs a bit more, but $18.50 is still not a lot for a good bottle of wine. Let's see how it stacks up...

EXPERIENCE
Synthetic cork. The nose is smoky with a small amount of alcohol along with black berries and a hint of plum. The first taste is pleasant and smooth, a bit watery, and tart on the finish. The body starts out on the lighter side, but as it opens up becomes more medium. The fruit gradually comes out, with a citrus finish more black fruit and plum. A balanced and smooth wine with enough complexity to keep your attention.

VERDICT
GOOD AND CHEAP. Colosi wins again. We saved our last glass of this one for a side-by-side tasting with the Colosi "Rosso" and found that while the two neros are quite similar, the 2007 offered a more complex fruity flavor... perhaps the justification for its higher price. On its own, though, this is a good bottle of wine for less than $20.

FACTS
100% Nero d'Avola and classified IGT. The labeling on this wine as compared to the "Rosso" is confusing, but I was able to solve my quandary on the winery's website. The "Nero d'Avola", their premium nero, is made from the property's best grapes and aged entirely in stainless steel, while the "Rosso", their entry-level nero, is made from standard-quality grapes and aged in oak.

Cantine Colosi "Rosso" Nero d'Avola 2006

This Nero d'Avola came highly recommended from the trusted proprietor of our neighborhood liquor store. We got it for a mere $13, and from the looks of a quick Google search you may be able to find it for less.

EXPERIENCE
Synthetic cork isn't our favorite way to start a bottle, but it doesn't always spell disaster. The wine has a soft, pleasant aroma with small amount of alcohol. The first taste has a nice 'jam' flavor, slightly sweet, and a bit watery in the beginning. That leads to a full fruit flavor in the middle and ends with a very light dryness. The full body of fruit in the wine is the essence. You are left with the middle of the wine in your mouth not the beginning or end. Very well balanced throughout.

VERDICT
GOOD AND CHEAP. We can't stop picking this bottle up, and apparently neither can anyone else in out neighborhood; the liquor store sold out their original stock and had to order a second round. Its surprisingly full for a Nero d'Avola and more surprising for only costing $13. Once again with this wine, pleasant flavor and balance prevail!

FACTS
Cantine Colosi is located on the isle of Sicilia in Italy. Their "Rosso" 2006 is a Nero d'Avola and thusly made entirely from the nero d'avola grape, the main grape of Sicily. Our friend at the liquor store told us this wine gets its full flavor from aging in oak. It is classified IGT.