Spain

Bodegas y Vinedos Pintia 2002

Even though I'd had a look at this wine a week or so ago, I saw this in the cellar and thought that it would be perfect with an aged steak at La Luna.  And it was great with the aged rump steak, it even handled the horse radish.  We had a couple of nice chaps serving us, so we offered up a sample.  Their comment was "thats awesome", its great to see such passion.  

But first, a little bit of background on the wine.  This is Vega Sicilia's Toro project. Starting out in 1997, the VS team reworked the old vines on the property as well planting new ones.  Wine has been made here since 1997, but the first release was 2001.  The intervening years were used to trial blends, oak types and practically every other factor that effects the wine. 

The wine is 100% Tinto de Toro (the local clone of tempranillo) and is aged in 70% French and 30% American oak for 12 months then a further 24 months in bottle.  One of the key differences between the wine making of Alion and Pintia is that malo is performed in barrel for Pintia, Alion uses stainless steal.

Very deep red with a purple tint.  There is blackberry, dark cherry, espresso, sage and a little oak on the nose.  The first thing I notice in the mouth is the ripe, dark berry fruit, followed by liquorice, a bit of spice and leather.  The liquorice really stood out after an hour or so with added bit of star anise. As in my last look at this, there are some big tannins here, but they are tame and inviting.  The 14.5% alc is very well hidden and the overall impression is of a well integrated and well balanced wine. Perhaps I was being a bit hard marking it at 93 last time.  94 Pts.

Source: Boccaccio Cellars Price: $78 Closure: Conventional Cork