Ribera del Duero lies at the heart of Spain and is well known for its climatic extremities and wealth of old vine Tinto Fino (Tempranillo). Two of the best known wines from Ribera are raised very differently: Vega Sicilia is a product of century-long history and rich heritage of artisanship; on the other hand Pingus is a one-of-a-kind passion project that has risen meteorically in the realm of fine wines within a brief 30-year timeframe. Both stretch wine lovers’ understanding on the potential and malleability of Tempranillo. Today let’s take a look at the second wines of these two Ribera legends.

 
“One of the greatest young red wines I have ever tasted.” – Robert Parker That statement puts Pingus onto the world-class fine wine arena. Whilst Pingus is a celebration of great Tempranillo old vines, Flor de Pingus celebrates old vine fruit from great terroirs. It is therefore two different yet similar experience – both wines deliver superior quality to price ratio (especially that of Flor) whilst their priorities differ, with Pingus placing priority 1 on showcasing Tempranillo; and Flor placing priority 1 on showcasing great terroirs.
Wine WA Packing Per Case Per Bottle Availability
Flor de Pingus 2005 96 12 x 75cl $16,774 $1,398 In HK
Flor de Pingus 2006 95 12 x 75cl $12,056 $1,005 In HK
Flor de Pingus 2007 95 12 x 75cl $15,463 $1,289 In HK
Flor de Pingus 2008 96 12 x 75cl $11,794 $983 In HK
Flor de Pingus 2010 92 12 x 75cl £972 $791 6-8 weeks to HK
Flor de Pingus 2011 95 12 x 75cl $8,134 $678 6-8 weeks to HK
Flor de Pingus 2012 93 12 x 75cl £774 $630 6-8 weeks to HK
Flor de Pingus 2013 92 12 x 75cl £796 $647 6-8 weeks to HK
Flor de Pingus 2014 94 12 x 75cl £741 $603 6-8 weeks to HK
Flor de Pingus 2015 94 12 x 75cl £796 $647 6-8 weeks to HK
Flor de Pingus 2016 95 12 x 75cl £938 $763 6-8 weeks to HK
Flor de Pingus 2017 93 12 x 75cl £796 $647 6-8 weeks to HK
Flor de Pingus 2018 95 6 x 75cl £450 $732 6-8 weeks to HK
Flor de Pingus 2019 96 12 x 75cl £871 $709 6-8 weeks to HK
Flor de Pingus 2020 96 12 x 75cl £901 $733 6-8 weeks to HK
Flor de Pingus 2021 96 12 x 75cl £710 $577 6-8 weeks to HK
 
Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5 is the purest expression of the Tinto Fino (Tempranillo) in Vega Sicilia. Tinto Fino is clearly the predominant wine in the assemblage of the varieties that make up this magnificent wine. The other variety used is Merlot, which is added to a greater or lesser extent depending on the vintage. Valbuena provides us with a direct and understandable view of the greatness of this “terroir” with the direct influence of each vintage. Its production remains unchanged meaning that it is each year’s weather factors that mark the differences between the different harvests. Fermentation at a controlled temperature with native yeast in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation also takes place in stainless steel. After fermentation, it is aged for five years, between wood and in the bottle, which is why it is called Valbuena 5º. French and American wood, new and used 225-litre barrels, 20,000 litre vats, a long and complex process for a great wine.
Wine WA Packing Per Case Per Bottle Availability
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 1998 94 6 x 1.5L $23,588 $3,931 In HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 1999 91 6 x 1.5L $22,277 $3,713 In HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 2003 94 12 x 75cl £1,993 $1,621 6-8 weeks to HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 2004 94 12 x 75cl $18,910 $1,576 6-8 weeks to HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 2008 94 3 x 75cl £420 $1,365 6-8 weeks to HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 2009 95 3 x 75cl £409 $1,330 6-8 weeks to HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 2010 96 6 x 75cl $7,863 $1,310 In HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 2012 95 6 x 75cl £905 $1,472 6-8 weeks to HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 2014 96 3 x 75cl £340 $1,105 6-8 weeks to HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 2015 96 6 x 75cl $6,683 $1,114 In HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 2016 96 6 x 75cl £668 $1,087 6-8 weeks to HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 2017 96 3 x 75cl £296 $962 6-8 weeks to HK
Vega Sicilia, Valbuena 5 2018 96 12 x 75cl £1,256 $1,022 6-8 weeks to HK