Pujanza 2007 Rioja

Pujanza 2007
Region: Rioja D.O.Ca.
Winery: PUJANZA, BODEGAS Y VINEDOS

Grapes: 100% Tempranillo
Vintage: 2007
Color: Red

Pujanza is produced from fruit grown in the 38 year old, 15 hectare Valdepoleo vineyard at 630 meters altitude. Fermented in 15,000 hectoliter stainless steel tanks with daily pumpovers. After alcoholic fermentation the skins are macerated for more time. One-third of the wine sees malolactic fermentation in new French oak barrels, the remainder in stainless tanks. Following malolactic fermentation the wine is aged for 14 months in new and one year old French oak. After bottling the wine is aged for a few more months prior to release to the market.

Reviews
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 90 points.
Bright red. Suave, floral scents of raspberry, redcurrant and Asian spices, with a subtle mineral component. Medium-bodied, elegant and lively, with good lift and focus to the bright red fruit flavors. Finishes with deep flavors of cherry and red plum and a brisk mineral quality. Delicious.
Issue 128, Sept/Oct '06

Guia Proensa, 94 points.
Fruity, fresh, alive; elegant. Sweet on the nose, with marked notes of well-matured fruit and tones from aging; reminiscent of cacao, spices and minerals. Balanced very well in the mouth, structured, medium-full body, ample.
Issue 2007

The Wine Advocate, 89 points.
The 2004 Pujanza is 100% Tempranillo from a 38-year-old vineyard. One-third of the wine saw malolactic fermentation in new French oak, the balance in stainless steel. It was then aged for 14 months in new French oak. Dark ruby/purple in color, it exhibits smoky, toasty, plum, blackberry, and black currant aromas. This is followed by a firm but flavorful wine which is still tightly wound. All the components to be outstanding are there but have yet to blossom. The tannins are ripe and the wine is balanced but purchasers should be prepared to cellar this well-made wine for several years.
Issue 169, February '07

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 90 points.
Bright ruby. Vibrant red berry aromas are brisk and clean, showing zesty mineral lift. Tangy, focused strawberry and raspberry flavors deepen on the firm, gently tannic finish. There's something almost pinot-like about this wine, which is impeccably balanced and striking for its elegance.
Online Article, September '07

Guia Penin, 89 points.
Intense cherry color. Fruit aromas, fresh fruit, average intensity, expressive, varietal, elegant, toasted, creamy oak, fina cocoa. Spicy in the mouth, fruity, varietal, toasted, retronasal fruity, creamy.
Issue 2008

Wine & Spirits Magazine, 89 points.
A sleek and generous modern style of Rioja, this wine is packed with extract both from oak and ripe, juicy grapes. It's dark and thick in the middle, with a core of black cherry flavor. In the end, the wood tannin stands apart, needing time to resolve.
Issue 268, December '07

International Wine Review, 90 points.
Dark ruby with a nose of dark cherry and plum compote. On the palate shows dense concentrated attack, full-bodied, well-integrated oak, firm, minerals, ripe chewy tannins. Big wine that needs more time in the bottle to show all of its virtues.
Issue 13, August '08