Flor de Pingus 2023

Flor de Pingus comes from Dominio de Pingus, the Ribera del Duero estate that has earned a wide reputation for its single variety Tinto Fino reds. Often described as the junior wine of the house, it has a clear character of its own and is drawn from old Tempranillo vines on the high plateau around the Duero. The continental climate brings hot days and cold nights, a diurnal swing that keeps acidity firm and builds depth of colour and tannin in the skins, while the low yields of old vines concentrate the fruit. The wine ages for 14 months in French oak barrels, where the slow exchange of oxygen through the wood refines the tannins and adds spice, cedar and a fine toast. The colour is dense and dark. The nose is intense and spicy, with fresh black fruit, pepper, liquorice and a savoury, earthy note. The palate is full bodied and balanced, the warm 15 percent alcohol carried by ripe tannin and a long, mineral finish. This is a wine with cellaring potential. Serve at 17 degrees, decanted well ahead, with roast lamb, grilled beef or game.