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2021 PSI (Pingus) Ribera del Duero

2021 PSI (Pingus) Ribera del Duero

Regular price $42.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $42.00 USD
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Ψ Psi

Named after the 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet, Ψ Psi emerged from a thought that had haunted Peter since he first arrived in Ribera del Duero in 1990.

He always felt that, though the region’s old vineyards had enormous potential, the median quality of local farming was poor. Historically, growers had been paid by the ton. In other words, because they were paid for quantity and not quality, they had little incentive to cut yields. And the excessive use of chemicals in this region gave substance to Claude Bourgignon’s vivid description of vineyard soils having less microbial life than the Sahara Desert.

Much work would be needed to restore the soil and improve viticultural practices, but Peter realized that buying the oldest vineyards was unlikely, given the growers’ deep attachment to their land. But what if he could involve the growers in a cooperative project, to produce better, more natural grapes? And, at the same time, he could incentivize them to preserve their old-clone, labor-intensive, head-pruned vineyards?

By providing economic incentives, and by actively engaging the growers’ passion for their land, he could achieve two goals: to obtain the kind of healthy, balanced fruit he desired, while also improving the health of the vineyards—and the wallets of their owners.


TECHNICAL INFORMATION

PSI is a “neo-cooperative” venture between the partners, and many of the best independent grape growers in Ribera del Duero. A critical element of the PSI project is Peter Sisseck’s desire to preserve the region’s clonal heritage in its old, head pruned vineyards. To that end, Peter and Pablo have worked with the growers to identify their best parcels, and to promote healthier, more natural viticulture.

Established: 2006 (First Vintage: 2007)

Soils: Various calcareous clay and sand


94 points James Suckling: "Blackberry and black-cherry aromas with lavender, cedar and hints of cloves and white pepper, following through to a medium body with ultra-fine tannins and a beautiful, creamy finish. A little tight and reserved now. Another impressive PSI.

92-93 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "[$30 list] The unbottled sample of the 2019 PSI—which should be bottled around June 2021 if all goes well—is slightly riper than the 2018 I tasted next to it, reflecting the warmer condition of the year. Starting in 2019, they have been working 50 hectares of the vineyards themselves, as they have rented them, with the idea to reach perhaps 100 hectares, half of those used, worked by themselves. This is marginally riper than the 2018, with a darker color, a little more ripeness and tannins with very tasty flavors, more immediate. It still has some months to go to polish the edges, but this is juicier and a little rounder. Drink: 2021-2027. (Jun 2021)"

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