Vega Sicilia has been branching out and Pintia, the Toro, is the country cousin to Alion`s urbane elegance. Also 100% Tempranillo - locally Tinto del Pais or Tinto de Toro - it is grown on lower altitude, warm, pudding stone covered sandy soils and is a bigger, richer and more alcoholic wine, as befits a region with a rich history of warriors, monks and students. Toro marks the boundary of Christian Spain during the Islamic occupation. It makes a fascinating alternative to the company`s higher altitde and `finer` vineyard holdings in Ribera del Duero. There are other differences too. Because the vines are largely planted in sandy soil, well over half of them are ungrafted, giving the most authentic expression of the grape. The winery is very modern with many tanks available for the winemakers to be able to do plot by plot fermentations for more precise components to make the final blend. Pintia use 70% French oak and 30% American. (20/08/19)