Dominio de Pingus "PSI" Ribera Del Duero, Spain, 2019 JS94/WA93+ Wine Advocate 93+ The 2019 PSI combines their knowledge of the vineyards and their new winery. They learned a lot in 2018, a more heterogeneous vintage, and their sorting machine for grapes had to work a lot. 2019 was more homogeneous, an easier harvest when most people made better wine. In the winery, they invested in a simple building but top technology. They used some 10% Garnacha in the blend, which was done one year after aging the lots separately. It really reminds me of the young wines from Ribera del Duero from the early 1990s, with some aromas of orange peel, earthy and smoky (very mild) and with fine-grained tannins. It has good ripeness at 14% alcohol and integrated acidity but great balance. It showcases the style of the 2019s here, fresher than expected and still a sunny vintage, when 2018 was more crystalline. A triumph over the natural conditions of the year. Newsletter Special - $26.99 About PSI: Having established Pingus as a new benchmark for greatness in Spanish wine, Peter Sisseck has embarked on a new quest: to produce a wine that captures the soul of Ribera del Duero. And he intends to do so by harnessing the passion of its growers who have for far too long lacked the tools, capital and vision to make wine that is truly “theirs.” While the goal for Pingus is to test the upper limits for Tinto Fino, the goal for PSI is subtler but perhaps just as profound: to find the soul of Ribera del Duero. There will be experimentation with winemaking as the project develops, but the primary concept is to eschew many of the modern techniques used in the region today. The partners will employ long, gentle macerations to get the most harmonious extraction possible from their grapes. They are using a relaxed élévage in a mix of large and small oak casks and cement tanks, with virtually no new wood. The early wines are subtle, delicate, and as compelling as anything seen in modern Spain. Between the time commitment with growers, and the relatively modest prices, it’s clear that PSI is a true labor of love. Zestos - Garnacha Old Vines, Madrid, Spain 2020 Incredible Value Old Vine High Altitude Grenache When it comes to value wines with exceptional quality, Madrid Grenache tops the list. These are terroir driven wines made from vines with significant age, and grown in high altitude mineral rich soil. Winemaking is non-intervention, clean and simple. Expect lively red and dark berry aromas show good clarity and a touch of candied flowers. Supple and seamless in texture, offering juicy black raspberry and cherry flavors given spine by a gentle mineral nuance. Finishes fruity and broad, with a touch of white pepper adding lift and cut. This could easily sell for 2-3 times the price. Newsletter Special - $10.99
Olga Raffault - Cabernet Franc "Les Picasses", Chinon, Loire Valley, France 2016 Incredible value, Ageworthy Cabernet Franc from the Benchmark Red Wine Producer of the Loire! Vinous Media - 93 Points - From a limestone-based plot on the Chinon plateau, the 2016 Chinon Les Picasses features intriguing warming spices, including garam masala, as well as piquant black cherry, all followed up with mouthwatering acidity. Like their other cuvées, it's not showy and extroverted but quiet, its joy being in its tender caress on the midpalate. It has grown up in large foudres (50hl) over a year but reveals little woody influence. The finish has fine sinew and refined chalky tannins that draw the palate out on the lengthy, tea-leaf-like and spiced finish. Newsletter Special - $27.99
Cheers! -Alex Alexander Knechel - Certified Sommelier Wine Sales Manager - Plucky Wines alexanderknechel@pluckywines.com
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