2022 Poggio Anima Nero d’Avola ‘Asmodeus’

100% Nero d’Avola, farmed organically (uncertified) on a single, 27 year old vineyard on volcanic sand and clay soils. 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 and clay rich soil using guyot pruning. Aged for 6 months in 500L French tonneau followed by 3 months in stainless steel. 14% alcohol. 15,000 cases made. 

Pours a dark garnet color. Notes of ripe plums, leather, garrigue and pepper on the nose, with ripe black cherry and a touch of candied berry on the palate.  Finishes with fruit sweetness and a licorice note with soft gripping tannins to hold it all together.

Poggio Anima is a joint venture between one of Tuscany’s rising stars, Riccardo Campinoti of Le Ragnaie in Montalcino and New Jersey-based importer Ronnie Sanders of Vine Street Imports.  The idea is straightforward: to source great vineyards from existing relationships and produce a real wine that conveys a place and a grape.  These wines are not bulk wines, nor leftover juice from a winery, but long-term contracts that have signed with reputable growers. Poggio Anima, translated as ‘Hill of Soul,’ personifies the individual vineyards cultivated for each bottle. Average annual production is 18,000 cases.