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Bonavita Faro DOC 2018: Power Meets Poise

Bonavita Faro DOC 2018: Power Meets Poise

7 /10
EDITOR
7.0 /10
COMMUNITY (6)
Vineyard: Bonavita
Type: Red
ABV: 12.5% ABV
Price: £31.25
Grape Varieties: Blend

Tasting Notes

Nose

Inviting aromas of dark cherry, blackcurrant, and plum, underscored by hints of cedar and dried herbs

Palate

Concentrated and structured, showing blackcurrant, plum, and a touch of dark chocolate with polished tannins

Finish

Persistent close with dark berry, cedar, and a pleasingly dry mineral edge

First Impressions

Bonavita Faro DOC 2018 arrives at £31.25, and at this price, it needs to offer genuine quality to stand out in a crowded market. 75cl / 12.5% - This beautiful family-owned estate in Sicily sits on steep slopes overlooking the sea in Faro one of the oldest DOCs on the Island. They work with local varietals.

Italy's viticultural diversity is unmatched, and producers are increasingly channelling regional identity into wines of real character and distinction. Bonavita is a name worth knowing in this context.

On the Nose and Palate

The nose offers inviting aromas of dark cherry, blackcurrant, and plum, underscored by hints of cedar and dried herbs. Moving to the palate, the wine is concentrated and structured, showing blackcurrant, plum, and a touch of dark chocolate with polished tannins. The finish is persistent close with dark berry, cedar, and a pleasingly dry mineral edge.

Food Pairing and Serving

This pairs beautifully with roasted red meats, aged cheeses, and hearty stews. Serve at around 16-18°C, and consider decanting for 30 minutes to let the aromas fully develop.

The Verdict

Bonavita Faro DOC 2018 earns a well-deserved 7 out of 10. This is a very good red that delivers Blend with genuine conviction and craft. At £31.25, this represents excellent value for money. Whether you are building a cellar or simply looking for something excellent to drink tonight, this bottle earns its place.

Where to Buy

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Joe Whitfield
Joe Whitfield
Editor-in-Chief

London Dry, Distillery Heritage, Industry Analysis, Spirits Editorial

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Community Reviews

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Ayako Hirano VIPsAllowed - Nice but a bit steep
6/10

Got this for a dinner party and it went down well enough with the lamb. Decent dark fruit flavours and I liked the chocolatey thing going on, but at over thirty quid I expected a bit more wow factor. It's good, just not sure it's that good for the money.

17 March 2026
Ruth Banks VIPsAllowed - Great with steak night
7/10

We had this with ribeyes on Saturday and it was a really solid match. Blackcurrant and something cedary that worked perfectly with the char on the meat. Took a while to open up though — definitely pour it out 20 mins before you drink it.

16 March 2026
Rafael Santos VIPsAllowed - Punching well above its weight
8/10

Picked this up after the guy at my local wine shop recommended it. For 12.5% ABV this has no business being as full and rich as it is — loads of dark cherry and plum, almost like a wine twice the alcohol. The tannins are really smooth too, none of that drying-out-your-mouth thing. Would absolutely buy again.

17 January 2026
Yuki Nakamura VIPsAllowed - Sicilian gem
8/10

Saw Faro DOC on a restaurant menu last year and been hunting for a bottle since. This Bonavita is lovely — dark berries, dried herbs, and this kind of mineral finish that apparently comes from the volcanic soil round there. Genuinely interesting wine if you're bored of the usual reds.

15 November 2025
Zara Al-Hassan VIPsAllowed - Interesting but not my usual style
6/10

Normally I go for bigger bolder reds so this felt a bit restrained at first. The dark fruit is there and there's a nice chocolate note, but it's more of a slow burner than something that hits you immediately. I can see why people rate it, just wasn't quite my thing.

15 November 2025
Devon Marsh VIPsAllowed - Birthday treat that delivered
7/10

My wife got me this for my birthday because I'd been going on about wanting to try more Italian reds. Really enjoyed the plum and dark cherry flavours, and there's a dry finish that keeps you going back for another sip. Not an everyday wine at £31 but felt special enough for the occasion.

27 September 2025

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