2019 Pujanza Finca Valdepoleo

The 2019 Bodegas Pujanza Valdepoleo is a single-vineyard, modern-style Rioja Alavesa that marries classic Tempranillo character with remarkable freshness and finesse. Sourced from a high-altitude site planted in 1973, it showcases the cooler, more refined side of Rioja, with precise fruit, polished structure and beautifully integrated oak. With multiple top scores from leading critics, this is one of the standout expressions of contemporary Rioja elegance.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Valdepoleo shows a deep, dark ruby-red colour with bright, youthful reflections at the rim. The nose is seductive and layered: vivid aromas of red cherries and wild strawberries are wrapped in subtle notes of blackberries and blackcurrants, with hints of violet, dried flowers, sweet spices and a gentle, warm earthiness. Underneath, there’s a cool mineral thread that speaks clearly of its high-altitude origins. On the palate, the wine is refined and harmonious, with a medium to full body carried by vibrant acidity. Juicy red berry fruit is joined by darker forest fruits, touches of liquorice, dried herbs and fine spice from its time in French oak. The tannins are polished and silky, giving the wine both backbone and finesse, with no hard edges. The finish is long, balanced and very pure, leaving notes of fresh fruit and subtle spice. Enjoyable now with a short decant, it has the structure and freshness to evolve gracefully for 8–12 years from vintage.

Production
Valdepoleo is a single vineyard in Rioja Alavesa, near Laguardia, planted with Tempranillo in 1973 at around 630 metres above sea level. The altitude, calcareous-clay soils and marked diurnal temperature shifts bring naturally lower yields, excellent ripening and outstanding freshness in the grapes. The fruit is harvested by hand to ensure optimal selection in the vineyard. Fermentation takes place in small stainless-steel tanks using only indigenous yeasts, preserving the vineyard’s individual character. After fermentation, the wine is aged for around 14 months in predominantly used French oak barriques, with a restrained proportion of new wood, allowing complexity and texture to develop without overwhelming the purity of the fruit.

Food & Serving
This elegant yet structured Rioja pairs beautifully with roasted lamb, grilled or braised beef dishes, Iberico pork, game birds and flavourful stews. It also works well with mushroom-based dishes, hard cheeses like Manchego or aged Comté, and charcuterie with a bit of spice. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. Decanting for 45–60 minutes before serving will help the wine open up its floral, spicy and mineral nuances, especially in its younger years.

Producer
Bodegas Pujanza is a boutique winery based just outside Laguardia, often referred to as the capital of Rioja Alavesa. Founded and owned by Carlos San Pedro, the estate is known for its almost obsessive focus on vineyard quality and terroir-driven wines. Originally conceived as a single-estate project, Pujanza has evolved into a reference point for modern, site-specific Rioja, with all of its roughly 30 hectares of vineyards located within a short distance of the winery at elevations between 600 and 720 metres. Carlos works exclusively with native yeasts and limits the use of new oak, favouring longer aging in larger, mostly used French barriques to emphasize finesse over power. Valdepoleo was the first fully single-vineyard wine in the range and has since become a flagship for the estate’s philosophy, earning consistently high scores from influential critics such as The Wine Advocate, Tim Atkin MW and James Suckling.

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