Nero d'Avola is traditionally made in Sicily as a medium to full bodied red. Pyren Winemaker Leighton Joy has made every attempt to make his version of Nero as drinkable as possible - high on energy and fruit, and with the weight toned down. Perfumed and vibrant, the few years in bottle have added complexity to this bouncy, juicy red.

The Pyren Vineyard is a winery and vineyard project established in 1999 by brothers Brian and Kevyn Joy on, in their own words, "an isolated patch of earth surrounded by state forest, farmland and the ever changing sky." In the Pyrenees region in central western Victoria, the vineyard is planted to Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The house style is an attempt to blend their high quality cool climate fruit with free thinking artistry, and the years have seen a few variations, though these days the quality is sky high. Brian’s son Leighton is the Pyren General Manager, overseeing all the operations as well as making the wine, as he has since 2012. His cousin Andy is also involved in wine, being part owner and sommelier at the Carlton Wine Room in Melbourne. Together they focus the style on expressing the quartz-laden soils of the estate, as well as a few releases under the Little Rara label, which push the boat out with unconventional winemaking. All in all, it's an impressive suite of wines that is worth keeping an eye on.