2021 Pujanza Norte
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Tasting notes
We've long been a fan of the Pujanza wines, and particularly the Norte, which comes from the eponymous vineyard with poor soils and high altitude (720m above sea-level). This is a vibrant expression of modern, single-site Rioja, which is all about purity of fruit. The nose is sweet and ripe, packed with dark cherry fruit. Spicy complexity and a toasty edge emerges with air, well-integrated alongside the fruit. The palate is tight and concentrated, showing the wine's youth, but also its potential. The tannins are compact with a bright line of mouthwatering acidity, thanks to the site's elevation. Gradually the wine offers a creamy note, with an almost cherry-kernel edge and satisfying earthy tone to the long finish. Superb value that will only offer more with time in bottle. Best approached from 2028.
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Average Score
Tim Atkin MW
Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Norte comes from a high-altitude Tempranillo vineyard surrounded by forests near Laguardia. Aged for 12 months in barrels, it reflects its setting with aromas of resin, pepper and wild herbs over red fruit. Dry and voluminous with a chalky, compact palate and vibrant flow, this feels light, fresh and firm despite its 14.5% alcohol. The finish is lengthy, with cherry and herbal notes evocative of the forest floor. The 2021 is characterful and delicious.
The 2021 Norte was produced with Tempranillo from a vineyard at 720 meters above sea level on shallow limestone soils. For this vintage, he (Carlos San Pedro) fermented the vineyard in two separate tanks—the part with more clay and the one with more limestone ripen at different times. The fermentation was with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, and aging was in French oak barrels and concrete tanks. It has good ripeness, 14.1% alcohol and a pH of 3.4 with six grams of acidity. It's floral, perfumed, elegant and nuanced, with fine spices and smoke, red berry fruit and a seamless palate, precise and balanced, with very integrated oak and elegant tannins. It should develop nicely in bottle. 10,200 bottles produced. It was bottled in 2023.
Named Norte is one of the highest vineyards in the Sonsierra, located at a once very marginal 720 metres. Always one of the tighter, more backward wines in the Pujanza range, it has lovely wild herb top notes, lots of chalky minerality, stylish 35% new oak, chiselled freshness and layers of damson, redcurrant and wild strawberry.