Scylla Nero d'Avola - 2023

95 Points
Australian nero d’avola can often lean into poppy ripeness – wines with glossy curb appeal. This certainly has easy charm, but it’s not defined by it. It has a transparency of expression, forgoing overly succulent fruit for layered detail. Dried black cherry, black jellybean sans confection, warm bitumen, master stock spices, dried cranberry, barberry and some lifted, fragrant wild raspberry and red licorice notes. This is a superb expression of the grape, refined, savoury and referential to its Sicilian roots, though also thoroughly individual, of place. There’s a thoughtful new direction for the Italian varieties at this address, and it’s genuinely thrilling.
Marcus Ellis, Wine Companion, November 2024

93 Points
Scylla is one of two legendary monsters from Greek mythology guarding the Strait of Messina, this one rather keen on munching on human sailors. The link to a fine red from McLaren Vale is above my paygrade. The wine spends eleven months in older French oak hogsheads. A very fine example of what can be achieved with this Italian variety here, and better still, this is good value. Under diam. The colour here is a vibrant cherry red while the nose offers lifted aromatics. We have notes of spices, strawberries, cloves, root vegetables and dark cherries. There is juicy acidity running the length, which, in turn, is also impressive. There are fine, if slightly firm tannins. Expect this to drink well for at least the next six to eight years. Should help increase the interest in this grape, which definitely deserves a wider appreciation.
Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot, January 2024

Bronze Medal
2024 McLaren Vale Wine Show

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