Pintia...

Where the Deuro is about to become the Douro and Spain cedes to Portugal, we find the arid forthright vineyards of Toro, its evocative name not inappropriate given the rugged terrain and the power of the wines. The Pintia vineyard is strewn with poppies and pudding stones; one could almost be in Châteauneuf Du Pape here, were it not for the distinctive subsoil of red clay. The stewardship of Vega Sicilia has brought expertise and investment, but the character has not been lost.

Tempranillo is known as Tinta de Toro in these parts of Spain; with 50 years of age, these vines have had to dig deep to nourish and moisten the wines in the brutal heat of 2005. The wine has been aged for 23 months in new oak ( 70% French, 30% American); its haunting aromas of violets, plums and charcuterie almost remind me of Quinta Do Vesuvio ( not that far away after all); then on the palate dark brooding fruits, liquorice, tar and undergrowth; balancing acidity and robust but not astringent tannins. One for the longer term certainly; one to watch without any doubt at al.

Pintia 2005
Bin No	FMV/520	Size	1 x 75cl	Price	£32.50
Bodegas Pintia is owned by Vega Sicilia. Pintia is located further west along the Duero River inside the warmer D.O. of Toro. The estate owns 96 hectares of land. The first vintage released was the 2001. As for the 2005 Pintia, it is 100% Tinta de Toro aged for one year in new French and American oak. Opaque purple-colored, it offers a complex perfume of pain grille, pencil lead, spice box, black cherry, and blackberry. This leads to a full-bodied, ripe, layered wine with intense flavors, serious complexity, and exceptional length. It has enough structure to unfold for another 4-6 years and drink well through 2025. 95 Points Robert Parker ~ The Wine Advocate #175 February 2008