Asmodeus

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. Of all of the varietals of Italy, 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.

VINTAGE
2019 marks the seventh vintage from this vineyard.  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.  After the very cool 2018 vintage and fiery hot 2017 vintage, 2019 was a truly classic and ideal vintage.  Balance and elegance abounded, despite some peak summer spikes.  

WINEMAKING
After a much needed few hours in a refrigerated space, the grapes were destemmed and cold soaked on the skins for 4 days.  A gentle pressing to stainless steel tank where they were vinified at relatively warm temperatures for supple extraction but still retaining freshness in the fruit.  The wine then spent six months in used 500L French tonneau, which lent a little more structure but mainly to soften the wine up.  It was then racked to stainless steel, blended and left to settle for three months prior to bottling.

TASTING NOTE
Dark garnet. 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.