Bodegas Pujanza - La Paul Rioja 2017

Bodegas Pujanza - La Paul Rioja 2017 (90+ TSW)

Pujanza belongs to the new style winemakers in the Rioja with a focus on absolute top quality with an emphasis on the fruit. The 4 most important wines are the Hado, the Valdepoleo (in the past this wine was called the Pujanza Pujanza), the Norte and the cult wine the Cisma.

Owner Carlos is one of the pioneers together with Remirez de Ganuza in the field of modern style Rioja's and has the luxury that his vineyards are situated high so that there are good differences between day and night temperatures.

Carlos only works with single vineyards except for the Hado (here the grapes are used from the norte and Valdepoleo vineyards).

Carlos does not use external yeasts, and he deliberately chooses to keep the amount of new wood low, but also to keep the wines longer in large (used) barriques.

About the wine:

This La Paul Rioja comes from grapes from a 30 year old vineyard, which is only planted with Tempranillo. The vineyard is cultivated according to the rules of ecological viticulture and the grapes are harvested by hand. Primary and malolactic fermentations were carried out in stainless steel, and the élevage was in French barriques and lasted 17 months.

My tasting notes:

In the glass a deep and clean ruby red color with garnet reflections.
On the medium(+) nose aromas of ripe red cherries, raspberries and blackberry compote with hints of spices, cedar, licorice and wet stones.
On the palate dry, medium(++) bodied with medium(+) acidity and nice ripe tannins. Nice freshness and balance with flavours that are a recall of the nose. Lots of fruit and cacao in the persistent finish.