Named after a plague of mice that troubled the vineyards, this McLaren Vale wine is 100% Nero d’Avola – a wine we don’t see much of in New Zealand. A dense, inkily burgundy colour in the glass, it has a perfume of juicy berry fruits – blackberry, blueberry and mulberry come to mind, with a contrasting note of mossy, forest floor and graphite. Easing into the full-bodied palate, where a glossy texture adds to the sweetness, but firm, dusty tannins bring it back into line. A touch of spice, and, as you might expect, that McLaren Vale cocoa note makes an appearance at the rich, lengthy finish. 92pts
D’Arenberg ‘The Danger Mouse’ Nero d’Avola 2021
