2013 PSI

2013 was not an easy vintage in Ribera del Duero; it was a cold growing season and they had to work a lot to control the large amount of vineyards used for the production of the 2013 PSI. They had to do a lot of sorting, and do a gentle vinification and élevage in oak. The percentage of Garnacha has grown to around 10%, while the rest is, of course, Tempranillo. The wine has a fruit-driven profile, fresh and clean, developing some notes of flowers and red berries. When the year could have been something like 1993, 1997 or 2002, the last problematic vintages in Ribera, this 2013 resulted much better than any of those. It might have been a little reduced at first, but once it's in contact with air for some time, it opens up (so decanting the wine in advance might be a good idea), and is more approachable than the previous vintage. This could be a lighter year that drinks quite well and was a real triumph over nature. There are 190,000 bottles of this 2013.

Vivid purple. High-pitched cherry, black raspberry and floral scents pick up floral and mineral character with air. Suave, densely packed red fruit preserve and violet pastille flavors are braced by juicy acidity and show an appealingly light touch. Distinctly lively given its heft and showing zero rough edges. Fine-grained tannins come in late and provides shape and definition to a long, focused, floral-dominated finish. (JR)

Tempranillo and Garnacha sourced from different locations within Ribera. Peter Sisseck controls over 500 vinegrowers to gather enough old vines (minimum 40 years old) to produce 250,000 bottles. Aged exclusively in used oak. Very intriguing nose showing violets, ripe dark fruit and elegant cigar box notes. Very tight and soft, with perfect harmony between fruit and oak. It seems the most refined version of PSI so far. (FC)