Professional reviews
Robert Parker (95)
The current release is the 2021 Pintia, for them an exceptional vintage in Toro, one of their finest to date. It was cropped from a cooler year when the wine has more freshness despite the 15% alcohol, with a pH of 3.83 and 4.7 grams of acidity. It fermented in stainless steel and oak vats and matured partly in stainless steel (15%), barrels and foudres with 75% new oak, for 11 months. Three episodes of rain in September really made the vintage, something unusual in the zone, putting the icing on the cake of a cooler year. The wine is always more powerful than the wines from Ribera or Rioja, with more oomph, density and abundant tannins but with very good balance and freshness. It's a Pintia for the long haul, like a 2018 with more weight.
Jancis Robinson (17.50)
The name Pintia comes from the ancient necropolis located just behind Alión, part of the archaeological site of Padilla de Duero, once a Vaccean (Celtic) city dating back more than 2,000 years. The vineyards evoke the galets roulés of Châteauneuf-du-Pape: layers of canto rodado over clay, the latter acting like a sponge that absorbs rainwater – a crucial asset for coping with the dry conditions typical of Toro. The year was marked by Storm Filomena, which brought a cold, snowy January followed by a very rainy spring. The underlying clay became saturated, allowing the vines to withstand the heat later in the season and achieve excellent ripeness without overripeness, resulting in impressive concentration and balance. The vines average 35 years of age. In 2021, the estate reduced the impact of oak. Barrel ageing was shortened to 10 months, and for the first time in Tempos Vega Sicilia’s history, certain lots were aged in terracotta amphorae and even granite vats – a remarkable departure from tradition. Production totals 13,944 half-bottles, 235,335 bottles, 6,534 magnums, 512 double magnums, 40 imperials and 5 salmanazars.
The wine is outstanding. Pintia 2021 retains its trademark power and density, yet feels more ‘al dente’ than previous vintages – opulent but crunchier in its fruit profile. It shows sweet, polished tannins, controlled power, a compact but layered texture and beautifully integrated toasted notes. Plum, warm stone and hints of wilted violet add complexity. Easily one of the most harmonious and well-tempered Pintia releases of recent years – no small statement. (FC)
