Pingus 2020

The bottled 2020 Pingus has settled, and the strong Mediterranean accent that was quite strong early on seems to have calmed down. The wine shows more of the serious Pingus character and is harmonious, balanced and elegant, perhaps because of the time it spent in oak vat (starting this year, it is not only in barrique). It feels very complete and intense but without weight or heaviness, and the fruit shows very clean and focused. Peter Sisseck compared it with the 2000, a wine that for him transcends the vintage; it showcases the balance (wines like 1996, 2000, 2012, 2016 and 2018). The quality of the tannins is stunning, which make the wine very elegant and balanced, and it has good freshness (even some red fruit!). This is exceptionally good, but somehow my heart didn't beat like with the wines he compared them with... 7,500 bottles were filled in July 2022.

A brilliant wine that deserves its global reputation, Pingus uses grapes from two plots in La Horra - Barroso (three hectares) and San Cristóbal (one hectare) – and shows no sign of the higher yields of the 2020 vintage. Fermented with 20% whole bunches and entirely aged in older wood, it's a floral, refined, gracefully structured Tinto Fino showing svelte tannins, mint, raspberry and black cherry fruit, racy acidity and subtle wood. "It's not about fireworks," says Peter Sisseck. Maybe. But it’s certainly about balance, beauty and finesse. 2025-35. 

Intense yet subtle aromas of crushed stone, dried violets and sweet berries such as blackberries. Ink undertones. Full-bodied and very powerful with black chocolate, hazelnut and lovely tannins that go on for minutes. Bitter chocolate at the end with hints of coffee. Harmonious and structured. Needs four to five years to open, but will last beautifully for decades. Try after 2027.