From the winemaker of the legendary "Pingus" from Ribera del Duero. While the goal for Pingus is to test the upper limits of Tinto Fino, the goal for Ψ Psi is subtler but perhaps just as profound: to capture the soul of Ribera del Duero. The primary concept starts with the old, head-pruned vineyards. Old vineyards in Spain often contain a mix of varieties and Ψ Psi reflects the breadth of this heritage, incorporating up to 10% Garnacha plus small quantities of other varieties including whites like Albillo.
VINOUS RATING: 96
VINOUS REVIEW: The 2021 PSI is 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha sourced from old vines planted in calcareous soils and was aged for up to 16 months in mostly sizeable French oak barrels. In the glass, it's garnet-red with a light purple sheen. The nose offers blood notes along with sour cherry and blackberry, intertwined with violets and dried flowers, resulting in a layered, complex profile. On the palate, it's dry and velvety. Chalky tannins define a compact mouthfeel and long-lasting fruit and floral flavors. The 2021 is a distinctive Ribera del Duero with excellent nuance and agility.
JAMES SUCKLING RATING: 94
JAMES SUCKLING REVIEW: Black cherries, asphalt, hedgerow, dark spices and dried Mediterranean herbs. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate with dusty, effusive tannins and a vertical finish. Pristine and stripped-down. Drink or hold.
ROBERT PARKER RATING: 93 - 95
ROBERT PARKER REVIEW: PA new era starts in 2021, when they got a new winemaker for PSI. The 2021 PSI—still unbottled, as it should have an élevage of 20 months—comes from a cooler year than 2020, but it was also a drier vintage and the wine has more finesse than in 2020. It develops a note of honey, beeswax and pollen—Peter thinks this comes from the wine from Gumiel de Izán (and it also happens in Quintana del Pidio), as the 2021 has a significant percentage from Gumiel de Izán. 2021 is an approachable vintage, and the wine feels very elegant. It has 14.1% alcohol, slightly higher than 2020, but even if they do not harvest looking at the alcohol, they try to avoid going over 14%. I tasted a sample from 80% oak vat and 20% in barrel, with some new barrels. This is going in the right direction. They expect to bottle some 360,000 bottles. As they harvest early, they start the élevage almost one month earlier than others, so they think the wine might be bottled in May 2023.
