Brett happens

IGT Sicilia 2011, Plumbago, Planeta ($22.20, 11724776)
100% Nero d’Avola from vineyards in the Sambuca di Sicilia commune in west-central Sicily. The grapes are destemmed, lightly crushed and transferred to stainless steel vats for 14 days’ fermentation at 25°C with regular pump-overs. The wine is then racked into stainless steel tanks for malolactic fermentation before being moved into third- and fourth-fill oak barrels for eight months’ maturation. 13.5% ABV.
Appealing nose of plum, blackberry, dried cherry, hints of herbs and chocolate cake. Medium-bodied and silky textured. Fruit-forward – ripe and juicy, with blackberry cordial at its core – but not a bomb. Soft tannins, glowing acidity and a nicely sustained, slate-darkened finish round out the picture. Nits to pick? It could be a little drier and is more about surface than depth. Then again, it’s so fresh and clean and easy to drink you really can’t complain. An affable wine at an attractive price. Throw in a pretty label and you’ve got a crowd-pleaser. (Buy again? Sure.)

PS Limited quantities and selling out fast.