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| ~ Azienda Scacciadiavoli: Amid Sunflowers in Montefalco ~ |
Hilltop Montefalco. Powerful red wine. An ancient elder. Satan and an Exorcist. Such is the intrigue surrounding this curiously named Farm. But what do all these mysteriously dark terms have in common? Read on…..
Founded in 1884, Scacciadiavoli, “Cast out the Devils”, takes it’s name from a 19th Century recluse exorcist who lived in the small village bordering the farm’s vineyards. He was known for using the local wine while performing his ritualistic exorcism duties on poor souls ridden with demons. It is from this dark folklore that the winery takes it’s name.
Today, Scacciadiavoli covers 130 hectares, about 35 of which are planted to vineyards. Owned by the Pambuffetti family since the 1954 purchase by Great Grandfather Amilcare Pambuffetti, the farm is now in the hands of the 4th generation grand children who carry on the family name and tradition. It is the oldest winery in the Montefalco appellation.
During 2000, the family constructed a new gravity flow, state of the art winery. Built carefully into the surrounding hillside, the winery rests on four levels. Grapes are brought from the vineyards to the winery at the highest level and are moved naturally throughout the winemaking process.
For a modest family operation, Scacciadiavoli produces a broad array of wines from Passito and Secco Sagrantino to a Sparkling Brut Rose. Over the next few months, we’ll be spotlighting the wines from this intriguing family operation. Today’s article is the first in a series that TuscanVines will be dedicating to the wines of Scacciadiavoli. The series will culminate in a broader report on Sagrantino di Montefalco later this winter.
In preparing this piece, I spoke to Fiammetta Pambuffetti about her family’s philosophy. She didn’t hesitate. “We take to heart the idea of “sola fides” – by faith alone – the feeling that characterizes the life of the farmer. It is the conviction that the earth will reward one’s daily work with products of great quality and personality.”
And so it goes…..
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| ~ A Charming Montefalco Alley ~ |
The first wine of the series is the workhorse Umbrian red; Montefalco Rosso. The more I drink Montefalco Rosso, the more I am inclined to seek them out. They are serious wines that are concentrated and complex and represent excellent value. If I were a producer in Montalcino trying to market and sell my Rosso di Montalcino, I’d be very concerned. The Rosso from Montefalco are more interesting and generally, less expensive.
The 2009 Scacciadiavoli Montefalco Rosso is a blend of 60% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, and 25% Merlot. It is a richly colored deep garnet in the glass and has exuberant aromas of crushed berry, sweet pipe tobacco, fresh herbs, flowers and earth. It’s wonderful to smell. On the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied with a ripe wild berry core of fruit that is accented by leather, coffee, and spicy tobacco. Excellent structure, balance and length. Delicious! Scacciadiavoli ages it’s Montefalco Rosso in used French casks for 12-14 months followed by an additional 6 months in bottle before release. 91 points. SRP ~ $18 Disclosure: This bottle was an importer provided sample.
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| ~ Through a “Rise” Filter – Can you see this chasing the Devil? ~ |
This wine was an absolutely gorgeous pairing with homemade cavatelli with a wild boar ragu. Perfection!
November 5, 2013
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