2023 Poggio Anima Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 'Samael'

100% Montepulciano from an organically farmed, single vineyard in Chieti located less than half a mile from the Adriatic Sea. The grapes were handpicked and pressed to tank for fermentation. Fermentation was carried out over nine days on skins with frequent pumpovers. A further week on skins post-ferment brought a little more structure and actually softened the tannins of this ripe vintage. The wine was pressed to neutral French barrel to age for six months prior to bottling. 7,000 cases made. 

Pours a dark, opaque ruby. Smoky black plum, earth and brown sugar on the nose, along with a hint of blackberry liqueur and mint. Sweet fruit, concentrated and yet refreshing, with an attractive note of dark berries and chocolate with lingering acidity. Finishes strong with pronounced tannins.

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.