2011 Pintia

Enjoyed this wine at a restaurant in Madrid in October so bought some upon returning home. Pintia is owned by Vega Sicilia of Ribera del Duero fame. While Ribera del Duero is located east of the city of Valladolid, the Toro appellation is located west of Valladolid near Portugal.  Both are situated along the east-west course of the Duero River in the Castilla y Leon region (northwest of Madrid and southwest of Rioja). Here is a good reference map 
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Pintia is 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo), sourced from vines aged 40 to 60 years. Destemmed grapes are fermented in oak vats with malolactic in barrique followed by 12 months of aging in new barrels (75% French and 25% American).

This is a big almost plummy wine, yet it is able to retain Iberian character with underlying minerality and spice. Less acidity than is seen to the northeast in the Tempranillo-based wines of Rioja. It would be interesting to visit revisit this wine in 10 years. The style clearly underscores the difference in methodology between Toro and Rioja, with the winemakers in Rioja holding back and aging Reservas and Gran Reservas. 

Dense and opaque, the rich black fruit has less of the smoky character often found in Tempranillo. Cassis, pepper and fine-grained tannin complete the palate at this stage of development. Aromatics are lush as well, but without heat. However, the abv is not shy at 15%.