Mario Ercolino 2013 Saserello (Italy)

(January 10, 2015) … After a 10-day, start of the year “cleanse” I am back on the wagon … and I started it off by looking at another on of my Virgin Wine Club bottles, a Sicilian red blend made from Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese.  For a blend this wine started out quite simple, and turned into something ultimately tasty … Probably why I am intrigued by so many Sicilian wines.  The nose kicks things off with a little smoky mocha and plum.  On the palate there’s a certain creaminess, that’s quite welcome with hints of a cafe mocha on the finish along with a gentle spice, and rounding it all off is this salty/sweet kinda nuance. As the evening wears on it develops more of a ripe dark berry flavour, making everything nice and full-bodied.  After an hour the finish has evolved into a vanilla-cinnamon and creme-de-cassis finish and linger; yet another bottle I have enjoyed from “The Club”.