Pujanza Norte 2018

Pujanza Norte is a single-vineyard Rioja from Bodegas y Viñedos Pujanza, built mainly on Tempranillo with other varieties. The fruit comes from El Gancho, the producer's northern estate at 650 metres above sea level, where altitude lengthens the growing season and the cool nights preserve acidity and aromatic freshness in the Tempranillo. Fermentation takes place in large French oak tanks with destemmed grapes, preceded by a five-day cold pre-fermentation that extracts colour and fruit gently at low temperature, then a 15-day maceration on the skins to build tannin and structure. Malolactic fermentation runs in the same French oak tank, converting sharp malic acid to softer lactic acid and rounding the texture. The wine then ages 19 months in new French oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange and fine-grained wood add cedar and spice and polish the tannins. It is deep cherry red with a dense core. The nose shows black cherry, plum and red berries with cedar, vanilla and a stony, earthy edge. The palate is full and firmly structured, with concentrated fruit, fine tannins and a long, mineral finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted, with roast red meat.