i first heard of nero d'avola on a trip to sicily around 4 years ago. my friend from palermo was talking a lot about how i should taste this wine as it definitely at par (if not better) than the more popular tuscans.
i don't remember if, at that time, the wine i tasted was blended - but current bottle is although i don't know what the percentages are.
on the nose, jam and mild pepper. quite fruit forward with a decent sweet-herby finish. something i can perfectly imagine quaffing at the sicilian countryside with a nice plate of bruschetta