Dominio de Pingus Ribera del Duero Flor de Pingus 2014 750ml

Aromas of blackberries, smoke and cedar. Round and full-bodied with firm tannins. Dried-fruit finish. Shows smoke and berry undertones. The real deal. Better in 2018.

93-95 Bright violet color. Explosively perfumed aromas of fresh boysenberry, floral oils and incense, with suave vanilla and woodsmoke nuances building in the glass. Sweet and plush on the palate, offering intense, smooth dark fruit liqueur and spicecake flavors. Really stains the palate, finishing with superb thrust and clarity; velvety tannins add gentle grip.

The 2014 Flor de Pingus could very well be the finest vintage of this cuvée ever. It could be considered their 'village' wine, as all the grapes come from La Horra, from four different quarters (El Pino, Fuentearriba, Fuentenarro and Castillo); they are mostly old vines, as they have some 25 hectares of those in the village, mostly from the 1950s. In the future it will also have some grapes from younger vineyards they planted 'à l'ancien', with a massale selection of Amelia, riparia rootstocks, etc. The wine is very aromatic and expressive, floral and spicy, with the oak nicely folded into the fruit, which is ripe without excess, and the alcohol is also nicely disguised, as it's high but does not show. It's a powerful and full-bodied vintage for this cuvée, but keeping its approachability and appeal. The tannins are very fine and the finish quite remarkable. A mini-Pingus at a very different price. 92,000 bottles were filled in July 2016.

This austere red is reserved but has concentration, with muscular tannins and balsamic acidity framing plum, licorice, loamy earth and tar flavors. Best from 2018 through 2028. 6,500 cases made.