Bonavita Faro DOC 2018: Power Meets Poise
Red 12.5% ABV ABV Bonavita
17 March 2026
Nice but a bit steep
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.
16 March 2026
Great with steak night
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.
17 January 2026
Punching well above its weight
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.
15 November 2025
Sicilian gem
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
Interesting but not my usual style
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.
27 September 2025
Birthday treat that delivered
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.