Product Description

"Imported by the Chalmers family in 2001, that one little vine which was brought in has evolved into more than 200,000 vines planted all over Australia and is doing great things. It’s really found a synergy with the red soils of Heathcote, particularly in the top block where the Chalmers Nero d’Avola is grown. The combination of the lightness and charry/graphite notes of that site with the cherry/raspberry, tar and hard herb characters of Nero are a great match.  Chalemrs deliberately go for a crunchy style which gives an enchanting, vibrant and juicy red perfect for summer drinking. Chill it off slightly for utmost enjoyment." WineMaker's Note

REVIEWS ON SOME PREVIOUS VINTAGES

Chalmers Nero d'Avola 2011
This workhorse variety from Sicily was first brought into Australia by Chalmers in 1998. Since then there has been a lot of talk in the industry about the variety potentially being the ‘next big thing’ here. It earned the hype due to the suitability of the vine to hot, dry growing conditions as well as the versatility and characteristics of the wines to be made from it. The first Australian wine from the variety was released by Chalmers in 2009, from their original Euston vineyard, now they’re growing it at both their new sites in Heathcote and Mildura.

The 2011 Chalmers nero d’Avola is deliberately made in a young drinking, lifted red-fruit style reminiscent of the Cerasuolo wines of Vittoria. This wine shows a vibrant fruits-of-the-forest and blueberry nose with pretty rosehip aromatics. 

The medium-bodied palate marries savoury boysenberry fruit with chalky tannins, sweet spice and just a touch of blood orange.

"Kim Chalmers and her family now have two vintages under their belts at their new vineyard in Heathcote, proving that the Italian varieties they pioneered on the hot banks of the Murray River back in the early 2000s are also well suited to the rich red soil of central Victoria. The juicy, slurpy red wines produced from nero d’Avola grapes grown at this vineyard in 2011 point to a very exciting future here.”

Max Allen, Gourmet Traveller

“Nero d’Avola: A Southern Italian variety from Sicily, and a little leaner in profile for red wines, but with much more savoury kick. Slow on the uptake in Australia, but Brown Brothers and Chalmers have commercial releases that truly sing, albeit that they are lighter styles, but that’s part of the appeal.”

Mike Bennie, Best of the Best 2011, Gourmet Traveller

"Ahh juicy and refreshing. Seriously. Sits in the palate with a washy, loose concentration but squares up and pinches with orange-citrus acidity and a thread of feathery tannins. Smells delicious – dark berry fruit, undergrowth, dried currents. Shows some of the same flavours in the palate, a dark, broodiness sitting under the coolness and freshness. There’s no elegance here, but there is huge drinkability. And for that, it’s oh so worthy."
92 Points Mike Bennie, Wine Front