Review: 306 Biologico Nero d’Avola Red Wine

This month I was lucky enough to have been sent two more wines to review for online wine shop Independent Wines – the first, a 306 Biologico Nero d’Avola. I have tried other wines from this producer before and found them very agreeable so I was looking forward to trying out this bottle.

The 306 Biologico Nero d’Avola is produced by Salvatore Tamburello’s organic micro-winery in Sicily. Salvatore is really passionate about quality and cultivates the vineyard personally with his wife and three daughters.  Salvatore removes half of the bunches from his vines, which means the remaining grapes receive all the nutrients and in the end have a much more concentrated flavour.

To preserve the aroma of red fruits, Salvatore Tamburello uses cold maceration for 20 days at just 18 °C, a very low temperature as red wines typically ferment at 22-30 °C. The wine then spends 20 months in stainless steel tanks, while a small percentage – not more than 10% – is aged in oak barriques, to add a delicate touch of oak.

Nero D’Avola is known for its full-bodied superbly bold fruit-driven flavours that range from black cherry to prune with high tannin levels and moderate to high acidity making it not so tart that the wine tastes overly spicy.

The 306 Biologico Nero d’Avola is no exception, with an attractive deep ruby colour, lingering aromas of redcurrant, cranberry and red cherry along with delicate traces of black pepper, cedar and leather. It is indeed dry and full-bodied, with smooth but powerful tannins.

With its bold fruit flavours, robust tannin and acidity, Nero d’Avola is a great wine to match with rich meaty meats. If you don’t eat animal products, like me, try this wine with black lentils and shitakes for that earthy, meaty texture which it works with so well.

306 Biologico Nero d’Avola Stats:

Awards: Decanter Silver Medal 2019

I certainly enjoyed testing this lovely fruity Sicilian red. I have only really started to enjoy red wine in the last few years and I certainly recommend the 306 Biologico Nero d’Avola to anyone looking to try this category for the first time. It is delightfully fruity and just dry enough to be pleasant but not overpowering.

I award 306 Biologico Nero d’Avola 5 out of 5 stars and will certainly consider stocking it in my home bar again in the future.