Vega Sicilia Pintia 2020 75cl

Overlooking the Duero River as it nears its transformation into the Douro, Pintia epitomises the essence of Toro: bold, expressive wines crafted from stony soils and shaped by a rugged climate. The timing of the harvest was particularly critical in

2020, a vintage known for its power and concentration. Extraction was carefully reduced during fermentation, while the introduction of clay amphorae into the ageing process helped to soften the impact of toast and preserve the wine’s freshness. Aged for 11 months in barrels and amphorae, followed by 30 months in bottle, Pintia 2020 exemplifies balance, power, and refinement.

The Vintage

In 2020, the weather was ideal, with sufficient rainfall, a mild spring, and steady ripening throughout the summer. These ideal conditions supported healthy vine growth and balanced fruit development.

The vineyards, averaging 35 years of age, are spread across 110 hectares in San Román de Hornija, Pedrosa del Rey, Toro, and Morales de Toro, located at 700 metres above sea level. Low yields of 3,000 kg/ha (21 hl/ha) ensured concentration and quality. The grapes were harvested manually in small 12kg boxes from 9th to 23rd September, allowing for meticulous selection at the

optimal moment. The result is a wine with remarkable balance, where the generous 15.5% ABV is carried effortlessly.

Vega Sicilia is a legend among Spanish wine producers, established in 1864 at the western end of what is now the Ribera del Duero DO. The flagship, Unico, is Spain’s undisputed equivalent of a first growth, while the more approachable Valbuena 5º is just as sought after. The historic estate went through several changes of ownership before being bought by the Álvarez family in 1982. Meticulously detailed viticulture feeds into a complex, multi-stage ageing process that gives these wines a vibrancy and integration quite unlike any of their Ribera del Duero peers.