2008 Pingus

Still in barrel. Oak giving more savoury spice than toast (cf Flor) though there's a touch of vanilla. Indulgent and rich on the nose, even at this early stage. On the palate, elegant, dark and a firm grip of savoury tannin and a hint of dark chocolate. Lovely texture even at this stage. It's big and oaky but not brawny and the oak is more evident on the nose than on the palate. Dense and energetic at the same time and very long. (JH)

The 2008 Pingus had just been bottled when I tasted it. Deep purple in color, it sports a splendid aromatic array of smoke, mineral, Asian spices, incense, lavender, and black cherry. On the palate it exhibits outstanding volume, intense fruit, power combined with elegance, and a long, smooth finish. It is a complete, virtually seamless wine that might one day achieve perfection. Give it 5-7 years of cellaring and drink it from 2016 to 2033. Jay Miller-Wine Advocate # 189 Jun 2010

The 2008 Pingus is one of the finest that I have tasted. It is closed on the nose at first, broody even, and giving it a few encouraging swirls is akin to awakening a giant. It opens gloriously with small dark cherries, black olives, crushed stone and violet, an underlying minerality that is difficult to ignore. The palate is blessed with a Chateau Margaux-like sense of symmetry that leads to a tensile, precise finish that carries on for a minute in the mouth. This will turn out to be an awesome Pingus. Drink 2018-2040. Aug 2012, www.robertparker.com