Poggio Anima
Asmodeus 2021
In the Book of Tobias, an ancient Hebrew text, Asmodeus is the Demon of Lust. It is said that when Cain killed Abel, Adam and Eve separated for 130 years. During this time, Adam was tempted by Naamah and Lillith, two demons of prostitution. Asmodeus is the offspring of the relationship between Naamah and Adam.
Nero d’Avola is as lustful and pleasurable as it gets. Rich, peppery and opulent. It has many of the same characteristics of Syrah and is the most important grape of Sicily. The vineyard is located in central Sicily, in the province of Caltanissetta, at about 1,600 feet above sea level. The altitude, together with the distance from the sea ensures great condition for ripening the Nero d’Avola. The vines are planted south facing following the vertical trellis system on Sandy soil and clay rich soil using guyot pruning. After a much needed few hours in a refrigerated space, the grapes were destemmed and cold soaked on the skins for 12-15 days with frequent délestage. A gentle pressing to stainless steel tank followed where they were vinified. The wine then spends 3 months in used French and American oak barrels, which gives a little more structure. It finishes back in tank to integrate, and is bottled with a gentle fining, one-micron filtration, and appropriate sulfur addition.
Other Wines by this Producer
Lilith Primitivo
Salento
According to Hebrew texts, Lilith was the first wife of Adam. She was banished from the Garden of Eden when she refused to make herself subservient to Adam. The vineyard for the primitivo is located in San Pietro in the province of Taranto toward the top of the inner portion of the Puglian heel. Here the proximity to the sea is everything with the winds acting as an air conditioner maintaining cooler afternoon highs than areas to the north.
Samael
In Jewish texts, Samael is better known as the ‘Angel of Death.’ It is believed that Samael is both good and evil in that he does the work of God but desires man to do evil. Sourced from 4 different vineyards across Abruzzo, Samael presents in an alluring and seductive way that lends itself to pleasurable drinking. 6 months in stainless-steel
Belial
Belial is one of the four crown princes of hell, and it roughly translates to ‘without yoke’ in Hebrew. This Sangiovese is sourced from vineyard sites around the provinces of Arezzo and Siena. Winemaker, Riccardo Campinoti is a firm believer that the wine is made in the vineyard. Ripe fruit, bright acid, ripe tannins.
Uriel Grillo
Sicilia Igp
Grillo is a resilient grape that withstands a lot of heat and wind on Sicily. It is probably best known as the foundation for Marsala but in its dry form has many interesting characteristics. The Grillo vineyard is located in Western Sicily, in the Salemi area at about 25 miles from Marsala. They are planted around a third of a mile above sea level and are east facing on Sandy soil and clay rich soil.
