If you're looking for an exceptional crowd-pleaser, this one is hard to beat! Spain's Ribera del Duero region shines for its bold, sun-kissed Tempranillo-driven wines, born in the dramatic, dry climate of inland Spain. Peter Sisseck, founder and head winemaker of Pingus, wanted to make a more youthfully expressive, everyday wine, with pared-down winemaking. The name he chose, "Psi," is the Greek letter that resembles the old head-pruned vine depicted on the label, echoing the focus on a more straightforward expression of the vines.
Reflecting the traditions of planting a mix of varieties here, the savory-tinged, finely grippy Tempranillo is complemented by some expansive, juicy Garnacha, which really helps make this so friendly in its youthful state. Classic to Ribera del Duero, "Psi" combines sun-kissed tones of fleshy plum, crunchy dark and red berries, floral and iron-rich earth accents, all surrounding a firm, mineral core. The expansive mouthfeel transitions into a softly-tapered, savory-edged finish with Tempranillo's signature chalky, pixelated sensations left on the palate. This is a fantastic wine for a simple classics like grilled meats and vegetables, cured meats like jamon, and semi-firm sheep cheeses (try the smoked Basque cheese, Idiazabal). You can even go a little bleu!
WINE ADVOCATE 93-95 POINTS - "The 2022 PSI is clean, expressive and open, much more approachable than the more reductive 2021 that I tasted next to it. It's primary, fruit-driven and precise. "The fruit selection was better in 2022," explained Sisseck. It has contained ripeness and a polished texture and is sleek and elegant, with fine tannins. It feels like a step up from 2021. This was also the final blend waiting to be bottled—clarified, sulfur added and everything, so pretty much the wine that is going to be bottled."
Reflecting the traditions of planting a mix of varieties here, the savory-tinged, finely grippy Tempranillo is complemented by some expansive, juicy Garnacha, which really helps make this so friendly in its youthful state. Classic to Ribera del Duero, "Psi" combines sun-kissed tones of fleshy plum, crunchy dark and red berries, floral and iron-rich earth accents, all surrounding a firm, mineral core. The expansive mouthfeel transitions into a softly-tapered, savory-edged finish with Tempranillo's signature chalky, pixelated sensations left on the palate. This is a fantastic wine for a simple classics like grilled meats and vegetables, cured meats like jamon, and semi-firm sheep cheeses (try the smoked Basque cheese, Idiazabal). You can even go a little bleu!
WINE ADVOCATE 93-95 POINTS - "The 2022 PSI is clean, expressive and open, much more approachable than the more reductive 2021 that I tasted next to it. It's primary, fruit-driven and precise. "The fruit selection was better in 2022," explained Sisseck. It has contained ripeness and a polished texture and is sleek and elegant, with fine tannins. It feels like a step up from 2021. This was also the final blend waiting to be bottled—clarified, sulfur added and everything, so pretty much the wine that is going to be bottled."
