Pintia, Bodegas Pintia - Vega Sicilia 2010

The 2010 Pintia had already been bottled when I tasted it, although not released. The bouquet is very Bordeaux-like with black rather than red fruit, fine minerality and touches of graphite and cedar. The palate is medium-bodied with plump, rounded tannins, a firm structure and great precision on the finish. This is what you might call a ""classic"" Pintia that already demonstrates great breeding and sophistication toward the finish.

The 2010 release of Pintia is, by quite a long chalk, my favourite vintage of this wine since its inception in 2001. The edginess and aggression of past vintages has melted away in this honed, tame wine. The wildness is still there, of course - it is what typifies the greatest wines in the Toro region, but the tannins and finish on this sensational wine are smooth, moreish and inviting. I never thought I would write the word 'suave' about Pintia, but this great red is starting to resemble its noble relations in Ribera thanks to the finesse found in the layers of dark, brooding fruit on the palate. With no rusticity in evidence and yet plenty of ageing potential and exceptional build quality this is a wine that I cannot recommend enough. (drink 2016 - 2026)