The 2012 Pintia Proprietary Blend from Toro, Spain, is a robust red wine produced by Pintia. This wine is crafted from the local strain of Tempranillo known as Tinta de Toro, sourced from 100 hectares of head-pruned, predominantly ungrafted vineyards aged between 40 to 60 years.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded the 2012 Pintia a score of 92 points, noting that it closes a trio of very good vintages in Toro. The wine undergoes a meticulous production process: destemmed grapes ferment in oak vats, malolactic fermentation occurs in barrique, and the aging takes place in a combination of 75% new French oak and 25% American oak barrels.
"The nose is very fruit-driven and fresh," observed Luis Gutierrez of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, highlighting the practice of starting the harvest around September 15th to maintain this freshness. He identified aromas of balsamic notes, red and dark berries, orange peel, hints of chocolate, vanilla, smoke, and roasted elements. Gutierrez remarked that the wine is still quite young and recommended additional bottle aging, noting that it would not be sold until the end of 2016.
On the palate, the 2012 Pintia is described as "full-bodied, structured, largely built, powerful, concentrated, and slightly rustic with abundant tannins and good overall freshness." Gutierrez pointed out that, when tasted alongside wines from Alión and Vega Sicilia, the rusticity of the Pintia becomes more apparent, with oak-related spice and smoke aromas intensifying as the wine sits in the glass.
This vintage is anticipated to develop and age well, although it is currently considered too young to fully appreciate. With a production run of 180,000 bottles, the 2012 Pintia presents a promising option for those seeking a powerful and structured red wine with significant aging potential.