2001 Dominio de Pingus Pingus

Subtle forest floor aromas, then fresher woodland and cedar mixed with bramble fruit. Overall subtle, silky and fresh with the fully resolved tannins giving silky freshness. (JH)

Deep, bright ruby-red. Cherry, licorice and smoked meat at the outset; then exploded with raspberry fruit. Lush, smooth and silky, with lovely inner-mouth perfume. Highly complex flavors of raspberry, minerals, bitter chocolate and smoky oak convey an extraordinary sweetness without any excess weight. Expands wonderfully on the extremely long, aromatic finish, which features noble, palate-dusting tannins. From the recorked bottle, the wine again began with dominant smoky, tarry torrefaction notes, and within minutes was taken over by red berries and flowers. More classic than the '03, but the 2003 may be even richer.

The opaque ruby/purple-colored, firmly-structured 2001 Pingus is more closed and backward than the extravagantly rich, flamboyant 2000. It offers great fruit on the attack along with huge body, and notes of grilled meats intermixed with Provencal herbs, pepper, spice box, cigar smoke, and copious quantities of barbecue smoke-infused blackberry and cassis flavors. The finish lasts for nearly a minute. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2028. Importer: The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484