Pujanza 2021

Pujanza is made by Bodegas Pujanza in Laguardia, high in the Rioja Alavesa. This is a powerful style of Rioja built from 100 percent Tempranillo grown on old vines of around 35 years, planted at 600 metres on calcareous clay. The altitude brings a wide swing between warm days and cold nights, which slows ripening, deepens colour and keeps acidity firm even as the fruit reaches full maturity. A pre-fermentation maceration of five days draws colour and aroma from the skins before fermentation in stainless steel at a controlled 24 to 26 degrees, followed by extended skin contact that fixes the wine's structure and dark fruit. Twelve months in French oak adds spice and frames the tannins without covering the fruit. The colour is dense purple. The nose shows ripe plum, black cherry, liquorice and pepper over a smoky, mineral base. On the palate it is full bodied and firmly structured, with substantial tannins, bright acidity and a long, stony finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant for an hour or more. It calls for grilled red meat.