Wine Advisor
Dominio de Pingus, Pingus Ribera del Duero 2005
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Jay S Miller
The 2005 Pingus spent 18 months in new oak. It is purple/black and a bit muted at present. However, notes of toasty new oak, mineral, scorched earth, espresso, blueberry, and blackberry can be discerned. The wine has great balance, sweet fruit, and poise but it will need 12-15 years of cellaring. It should drink well through 2050. It is a true tour de force. Kudos to Peter Sisseck for a brilliant and enthralling set of wines. Importer: Manny Berk, The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484
Reviewed by: Jay S Miller
The 2005 Pingus is the most powerful of this series (power being a major characteristic of the top 2005s in the DO). It offers up a perfume beginning to develop some complexity, terrific volume and richness on the palate, and a lengthy, pure finish. This is a great wine that should have a 40 year lifespan. Dominio de Pingus is located in the La Horra region of Ribera del Duero. Owner/winemaker, Peter Sisseck, an oenologist originally from Denmark, started the estate in 1995. There are currently 3 wines produced, Flor de Pingus, a single barrel cuvee called Amelia which began in 2003, and the flagship Pingus. In a normal vintage there are usually about 4000 cases of Flor de Pingus, 500 cases of Pingus, and 25 cases of Amelia. Flor de Pingus is sourced from a number of small parcels located in the La Horra zone. The vines are all over 35 years of age and have been farmed biodynamically since 2005.They are either owned or rented by Peter Sisseck, so Flor de Pingus always comes from the same pieces of ground. In that sense it is not a second wine but there is no question that is a very close approximation of Pingus at a fraction of the price. That makes it a relative bargain in the scheme of things. The wine is 100% Tempranillo typically aged for 14 months in new French barriques. The first vintage of Pingus was in 1995. The estate has been biodynamically farmed since 2000 and, according to Sisseck, has never been treated with fertilizer or pesticides. The Pingus vines are all at least 65 years of age and yields are typically under 1 ton per acre. The wines, made from 100% Tempranillo, are bottled without fining or filtration. Importer: Manny Berk, Rare Wine Company, Sonoma, CA
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Ruby-red. Suave, mineral-accented raspberry and cherry-cola aromas slowly unfold to display anise, graphite, smoky bacon and roasted coffee. Deeply concentrated but improbably elegant, with lively red and dark fruit favors supported by silky tannins and braced by fresh minerality. In no way a blockbuster, this finishes with outstanding persistence and insinuating cassis and mineral qualities. Much more about finesse and balance than size or brute force. One has to lament the price.
About the Producer
Dominio de Pingus is a prestigious winery located in Quintanilla de Onésimo, within the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. Founded in 1995 by Danish oenologist Peter Sisseck, the winery is renowned for its limited production of high-quality wines, particularly its flagship wine, Pingus, which is considered a "cult wine" and commands high prices. The estate focuses on old-vine Tempranillo, with vineyards that have never been treated with pesticides or fertilizers. Dominio de Pingus also produces a second wine, Flor de Pingus, and a special cuvée called Ribera del Duero "Amelia." The winery emphasizes biodynamic practices and minimal intervention in winemaking, resulting in wines that showcase the unique terroir of the region.
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