Nestled in the Ribero del Duero region of Spain, Dominio de Pingus is a relatively small producer that was catapulted to fame by Robert Parker, Jr. Parker’s seal of approval and rave reviews immediately after the 1996 en primeur tastings made Pingus a hot property, and evidenced by its price, it is still considered one of Spain’s most desirable wines. The estate was founded by an innovative Danish winemaker named Peter Sisseck. Arriving in Spain to manage a new project called Hacienda Monasterio, Peter was intrigued by the old vines that caressed the Ribera del Duero countryside. Not one to let things go, he eventually found ancient vineyards that he could use to create his own wine, and Pingus, a nod to his childhood nickname, was born in 1995. The 1996 Parker encounter followed soon enough, and the forthcoming 96score that was featured in Wine Advocate established Pingus as a new presence to be reckoned with. Predominantly a Tempranillo-based wine, Pingus features a concentrated black fruit profile with a rich, dense impact on the palate. The estate’s gravel and sand components also lend a hint of minerality, adding to its masculine overtones. The parcels that yield this wine are populated with old vines, while the production is, not surprisingly, only around 6,000 cases annually. Overshadowing these limitations is the production number for Flor de Pingus, the estate’s junior wine, which is far less expensive and produced in significantly higher quantities. Last, using grapes sourced from local farmers, Pingus produces PSI, considered a more classic Ribero del Duero product. All Pingus wines share a robust depth that is representative of the estate’s soil composition and overall climate. This could be the reason why Pingushas enjoyed its consistent, highly competitive status among other European fine wines.