2010 Pintia

One of the very best wines from Toro. First released in 2001 by Pintia, part of the Vega Sicilia house. From the very first vintage, this wine scored highly with almost all renowned wine critics, including Robert Parker. Pintia is only available in limited quantities because the wine is made only from grapes from old vines. Matured for 18 months on French (75%) and American (25%) oak. The wine is somewhat more powerful but also very aromatic, expressive and open, quite typical for a Toro. The Tempranillo shows its more modern side here with a sophisticated rough shell, and only after decanting does it show its true grandeur, character and finesse. Beautifully balanced, long-lived and large! The Pintia has a deep red, full, complex wine. Ripe black fruit, minerals, "roasted tones", herbs and a long, impressive finish. The Pintia bouquet is very Bordeaux-like with black rather than red fruit, fine minerality and accents of graphite and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with plump, round tannins, a firm structure and great precision in the finish. This is what you call a "classic" Pintia but then again this wine is only released when it is top notch.

The soils of the Pintia plots were formed on alluvial deposits from the Quaternary period (this is the youngest geological period: 2.588 million years ago to today). The largest part is part of the high terraces around the Duero, with accumulations of sand and pebbles on the upper layer that allow the movement of water and clay particles mixed with small quartz particles to the lower layer. This provides a good water reserve, which in turn ensures good nutrition and water management of the vines. In some areas, the upper layer is very pebbly, which helps to regulate temperature. In addition, this contributes to an optimal phenolic ripeness of the grapes. The climate is continental with weak oceanic influence and large temperature variations: very hot and dry summers versus cold winters and a rainfall of 350 to 400 mm with an overall average temperature of only 12.5°C. The perfect conditions to have healthy grapes with good ripening.

Vinification
The same strict selection criteria are followed as in Vega Sicilia. Given the typicity of Toro, only grapes with a potential alcohol of 14.5% are selected here (in Ribera it is 13%). The harvest is done manually. The second selection takes place in the bodega.
For 12 hours the grapes are brought to a cold room at 5°C. Then the cold maceration takes place in wooden vats for 4 to 6 days. Then the fermentation starts with repeated remontages. The entire production gets its malolactic fermentation in barriques. Depending on the vintage, the élevage afterwards lasts between 12 and 15 months. The oak barrels are 70% French and 30% American. There is no 2nd wine in this bodega, so if after the crianza it appears that the wine does not meet the criteria, it is removed and not used in the assembly for Pintia.

Did you know: Pintia is a site where archaeology is done. Pintia is the youngest member of the Vega Sicilia dynasty.

FACT: In the tab 'Attachments' you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will automatically send you this when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will often also receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht with plenty of parking. Click here for our address.