Bright deep ruby. Black raspberry and musky, roasted Darnajou oak on the nose. Remarkably deep in the mouth, with an extraordinary creamy sweetness. Sappy black raspberry fruit offers a powerful impression of solidity. The huge but noble tannins dust the front teeth. Extraordinarily long and sweet on the back end; if any wine can be described as liquid sex, this might be the one. The first time I tried this young wine was with Jean-Luc Thunevin in St. Emilion at the end of March: it was the best 2003 I tasted on the Right Bank of Bordeaux on my spring tour. But then Pingus has a sweetness that Bordeaux can never match.

The 2003 Flor de Pingus exhibits an exuberant, expressive nose of creme de cassis, graphite, licorice, smoke, espresso roast, and aged beef-like characteristics. A superb texture, sweet tannin, and an opulent, voluptuous mid-palate and finish suggest this 2003 can be drunk now and over the next 7-10 years. A limited cuvee, named after the importer’s daughter, the 2003 Amelia, is produced from 100-year old vines. Although there are only 25 cases available, it is worth noting as it is a super effort boasting all the same characteristics as the great Pingus, only lacking that wine’s extra nuances and dimensions in its bouquet and flavor profiles. These are the wines of a true genius! Kudos to Peter Sisseck. Importer: The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484