Pingus - Ribera del Duero
99 points - The Wine Advocate
96 points - The Wine Advocate
99 points - The Wine Advocate
100 points - The Wine Advocate
100 points - The Wine Advocate
Pingus - Ribera del Duero
99 points - The Wine Advocate
96 points - The Wine Advocate
99 points - The Wine Advocate
100 points - The Wine Advocate
100 points - The Wine Advocate
Regular price€1,197.60
€1,197.60
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- In stock
- Inventory on the way
The bottled 2020 Pingus has settled, and the pronounced Mediterranean character that was evident early on has now softened. The wine now reflects more of the serious Pingus identity, displaying harmony, balance, and elegance—perhaps due in part to the time spent in oak vats, as starting with this vintage, aging is no longer exclusively in barrique.
It comes across as complete and intense yet remains light on its feet, avoiding any sense of weight or heaviness. The fruit is exceptionally clean and well-defined. Peter Sisseck compared it to the 2000 vintage, a wine he believes transcends its year, demonstrating the balance seen in vintages like 1996, 2000, 2012, 2016, and 2018. The tannin quality is remarkable, contributing to the wine’s elegance and equilibrium, with a notable freshness and even hints of red fruit.
While this is an outstanding wine, it does not quite evoke the same emotional response as some of the vintages it was compared to.
The 2017 Pingus was also tasted, facing tough competition from the bottled 2016 and a barrel sample of the 2018 (as well as the fermenting 2019, though that was not considered). The 2017 vintage was unusual for the region, as a spring frost significantly reduced the crop and altered the balance of the year.
In 2007, a windmill was installed in one of the plots, and while it did not entirely prevent frost damage, the impact was less severe compared to the Flor de Pingus vineyards, where up to 40% of the crop was lost. At the Pingus vineyards, approximately 25% of the grapes were affected. The élevage began in used barriques, where the wine matured for 12 months before being transferred to larger barrels to extend the aging process.
The wine presents alternating sensations of ripeness and herbal aromas. Its tannic structure is reminiscent of concentrated vintages such as 1995, 2004, and 2014, in contrast to more fluid years like 2016 or 1996, and it retains a rustic Ribera character. The vintage was ultimately preserved through an in-depth understanding of the vineyards—whereas in the past, a similar year could have been disastrous. Wines from challenging vintages like this sometimes develop in unexpected ways in the bottle.
Even at this early stage and following the operation, the wine displays remarkable harmony and elegance. The team has truly outdone themselves, producing an impressively fresh, aromatic, and balanced wine in a warm vintage. The texture is incredibly refined, with very fine-grained, chalky tannins. It is exceptionally well-balanced, with no excess in any aspect—featuring 14% alcohol, perfect ripeness, and a velvety mouthfeel.
With time in the glass, the wine becomes more floral, revealing additional nuances and complexity. It delivers exactly what the barrel sample promised a year earlier, when it had already shown surprising potential. Precision is perhaps the best word to describe this wine—it is clean, focused, balanced, and beautifully delineated. A truly impressive achievement!
Discover the depth and richness of Pingus - Ribera del Duero, crafted by the renowned Pingus. This exquisite red wine showcases the best of its region, offering a symphony of flavors that include ripe berries, subtle spices, and hints of oak. Perfect for elevating any meal or occasion.
Discover the depth and richness of Pingus - Ribera del Duero, crafted by the renowned Pingus. This exquisite red wine showcases the best of its region, offering a symphony of flavors that include ripe berries, subtle spices, and hints of oak. Perfect for elevating any meal or occasion.
It is rare to taste a wine as recently bottled as the 2014 Pingus, which was bottled in the morning and tasted that very same evening. Peter Sisseck compares this vintage to the 1995, the first vintage ever produced, when he learned that with perfect grapes, minimal intervention is best. Since then, he has aimed to replicate that first vintage, though he acknowledges that such conditions cannot be forced—they must come naturally from the vintage itself.
Another key lesson from the 1995 vintage was the necessity of long and slow aging in oak for wines of this caliber. For the 2014 vintage, Sisseck opted for an extended élevage of three winters in barrel, but exclusively in 100% used barrels, a practice he first implemented in 2012. If new oak had been used, as in earlier vintages, such prolonged aging would have risked overpowering the wine.
Initially, the 2014 Pingus was quite tannic, but through racking every six months, the tannins were softened without exhausting the wine, as the aging process itself was highly reductive. The nose is harmonious and open, though not particularly expressive—an expected trait given its extremely short time in bottle. However, with time, it is expected to gain precision. In cases like this, assessment relies heavily on the palate.
On the palate, the wine reveals a texture that is almost unique to Ribera del Duero when conditions align perfectly. It differs greatly from other regions, offering a velvety mouthfeel and an enveloping sensation of comfort, with an incredibly long finish. The tannins are ultra-fine, carrying a subtle chalkiness from the limestone soils, which enhances both the flavor and the supple aftertaste. In essence, the only way to improve this Pingus might be to opt for a magnum instead of a standard bottle.
The bottled version of the 2018 Pingus was highly anticipated after the cask sample showed great promise the previous year. Part of the wine matured in 20,000-liter oak casks, rather than exclusively in barrique. This marks the first time these vats were used, and based on the results, Sisseck expects future Pingus vintages to be around 50% aged in oak vats.
The Pingus vines, planted in 1929 in two sectors of the village of La Horra—Barroso and San Cristobal—contain approximately 2% other grape varieties. The vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic and are maintained with exceptional care. The wine is subtle and harmonious, elegant and refined, with all components in excellent balance. It reflects Sisseck’s precise and meticulous approach, showcasing remarkable purity and definition. Following in the style of the 2016 vintage, it presents itself exceptionally well, despite having been bottled only a month before tasting.
Type: |
Red |
Country: |
Spain |
Region: |
Castilla y León |
Appellation: |
Ribera Del Duero |
Producer: |
Pingus |
Grapes/Blend: |
Tempranillo |
Serving temp: |
16° - 18° C |
ABV: |
14% |
Pairing Sugesstions: |
Beef, Lamb, Venison, Duck, Charcuterie and Cured Meats, Mushrooms, Tomato-Based Dishes, Truffles, Pasta Dishes, Parmesan, Manchego |
Local Delivery
We have a fleet of vans that deliver throughout the French and Italian Riviera, rates calculated based on distance at cart stage. Option to book time and date.
For deliveries further afield, please call for a quote: +33 4 65 84 99 51
France / Monaco
1 - 2 working days delivery in France, for orders placed before 2pm.
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EU - Mainland
1 - 3 day delivery throughout mainland EU, for orders placed before 2pm. Allow an extra day for islands.
Options for couriers and drop off points available at checkout.
Rest of the World
Please call for a quote: +33 4 65 84 99 51
